2017 Florida Gators football team

The 2017 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida in the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Gators played their home games at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida. Florida played as a member of the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). They were led by third-year head coach Jim McElwain until his dismissal on October 28, after which defensive coordinator Randy Shannon served as the interim head coach until the end of the season.[2]

2017 Florida Gators football
Florida Gators logo
ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
DivisionEastern Division
Record4–7 (3–5 SEC)
Head coach
  • Jim McElwain (3rd season: First 7 games (3–4 record), fired)
  • Randy Shannon (1st season: Last 4 games (1–3 record), interim)
Offensive coordinatorDoug Nussmeier (3rd season)
Offensive schemeMultiple
Defensive coordinatorRandy Shannon (1st as DC; 3rd overall season)
Co-defensive coordinatorChris Rumph (1st as co-DC; 3rd overall season)
Base defense4–3
Home stadiumBen Hill Griffin Stadium[1]
Seasons
← 2016
2018 →
2017 Southeastern Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
East Division
No. 2 Georgia x$^   7 1     13 2  
South Carolina   5 3     9 4  
Kentucky   4 4     7 6  
Missouri   4 4     7 6  
Florida   3 5     4 7  
Vanderbilt   1 7     5 7  
Tennessee   0 8     4 8  
West Division
No. 10 Auburn xy   7 1     10 4  
No. 1 Alabama x#^   7 1     13 1  
No. 18 LSU   6 2     9 4  
No. 19 Mississippi State   4 4     9 4  
Texas A&M   4 4     7 6  
Ole Miss*   3 5     6 6  
Arkansas   1 7     4 8  
Championship: Georgia 28, Auburn 7
  • # – College Football Playoff champion
  • ^ – College Football Playoff participant
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
  • * Ole Miss ineligible for postseason due to NCAA sanctions
Rankings from AP Poll

Florida finished with a 4–7 record overall and were 3–5 in SEC play, good for fifth place in the Eastern Division. It was the program's second losing season since 1979.

Spring Game

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The spring game, dubbed the Orange and Blue Debut, took place on April 7, in Gainesville.

Date Time Spring Game Site TV Result Attendance
April 7[3] 7:30 p.m. Orange vs. Blue Ben Hill Griffin StadiumGainesville, FL SECN Orange 31–0
48,000


Schedule

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The Gators' 2017 schedule consisted of 6 home games, 3 away games, and 2 neutral site games in the regular season. The Gators hosted SEC opponents Tennessee, Vanderbilt, LSU, and Texas A&M. They traveled to Kentucky, Missouri, and South Carolina. They faced Georgia at a neutral site.

Florida's non-conference schedule consisted of two home games: UAB and their rival Florida State. A third was scheduled for Sep 9 vs Northern Colorado, but was canceled due to inclement weather caused by Hurricane Irma. The season was opened against Michigan in the Advocare Classic.

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 23:30 p.m.vs. No. 11 Michigan*No. 17ABCL 17–3375,802
September 163:30 p.m.No. 23 TennesseeNo. 24CBSW 26–2087,736
September 237:30 p.m.at KentuckyNo. 20SECNW 28–2762,945
September 3012:00 p.m.VanderbiltNo. 21
  • Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
  • Gainesville, FL
ESPNW 38–2484,478
October 73:30 p.m.LSU No. 21
CBSL 16–1788,247
October 147:00 p.m.Texas A&M
  • Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
  • Gainesville, FL
ESPN2L 17–1986,114
October 283:30 p.m.vs. No. 3 GeorgiaCBSL 7–4284,107
November 412:00 p.m.at MissouriESPN2L 16–4549,154
November 1112:00 p.m.at South CarolinaCBSL 20–2879,727
November 184:00 p.m.UAB*
  • Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
  • Gainesville, FL
SECNW 36–784,649
November 2512:00 p.m.Florida State*
  • Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
  • Gainesville, FL (rivalry)
ESPNL 22–3889,066
  • *Non-conference game
  •  Homecoming
  • Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to the game
^[a] The game between Florida and Northern Colorado was originally scheduled for September 9 at 7:30 p.m. On the Wednesday before the game, the kickoff time was moved up to noon, as forecasts for Hurricane Irma had the storm approaching the east coast of Florida on Sunday. On Thursday, updated forecast tracks (correctly) predicted that Irma would move up the middle of the Florida peninsula as a major hurricane, prompting both schools to agree to cancel the game altogether due to safety and traffic concerns. This cancellation marked the third time in four seasons that Florida had to cancel or move a home game due to inclement weather and the second season in a row in which a scheduled home game was affected by the threat of a hurricane.[4]

Schedule Source[5]

Rankings

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Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
AP172224202121RV
Coaches162425222020RVRVRV
CFPNot releasedNot released

Game summaries

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No.11 Michigan

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No.11 Michigan Wolverines vs. No. 17 Florida Gators – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 11 Michigan 10 3 13733
No. 17 Florida 3 14 0017

at AT&T StadiumArlington, Texas

Game information
Overall record Previous meeting Previous winner
0–3 January 1, 2016 Michigan, 41–7
Uniform Combination*
Helmet Jersey Pants
  • Special "color rush" uniforms

No.23 Tennessee

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No.23 Tennessee Volunteers at No.24 Florida Gators – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 23 Tennessee 0 3 01720
No. 24 Florida 3 3 02026

at Ben Hill Griffin StadiumGainesville, Florida

  • Date: September 16, 2017
  • Game time: 3:40 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 85 °F (29 °C) • Wind: NE at 6 miles per hour (9.7 km/h) • Weather: Partly cloudy, 70% humidity
  • Game attendance: 87,736
  • Referee: John McDaid
  • TV announcers (CBS): Brad Nessler, Gary Danielson and Allie LaForce[7]
  • Boxscore
Game information
Overall record Previous meeting Previous winner
26–20 September 24, 2016 Tennessee, 38–28

With 0:09 seconds left in the fourth quarter quarterback Feleipe Franks threw a 63-yard hail mary to wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland for the win.

Uniform Combination
Helmet Jersey Pants

Kentucky

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No.20 Florida Gators at Kentucky Wildcats – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 20 Florida 0 14 01428
Kentucky 7 7 10327

at Kroger FieldLexington, Kentucky

Game information
Overall record Previous meeting Previous winner
50–17 September 10, 2016 Florida, 45–7
Uniform Combination
Helmet Jersey Pants

Vanderbilt

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Vanderbilt Commodores at No.21 Florida Gators – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Vanderbilt 7 10 0724
No. 21 Florida 7 10 71438

at Ben Hill Griffin StadiumGainesville, Florida

  • Date: September 30, 2017
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 75 °F (24 °C) • Wind: Northeast at 10 miles per hour (16 km/h) • Weather: Showers, 90% humidity
  • Game attendance: 84,478
  • Referee: Matt Austin
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Dave Pasch, Greg McElroy and Tom Luginbill[9]
  • Boxscore
Game information
Overall record Previous meeting Previous winner
38–10–2 October 10, 2016 Florida, 13–6
Uniform Combination
Helmet Jersey Pants
LSU Tigers at No.21 Florida Gators – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
LSU 7 3 7017
No. 21 Florida 0 3 13016

at Ben Hill Griffin StadiumGainesville, Florida

  • Date: October 7, 2017
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 88,247
  • Referee: Matt Loeffler
  • TV announcers (CBS): Brad Nessler, Gary Danielson and Allie LaForce
Overall record Previous meeting Previous winner
32–28–3 November 19, 2016 Florida, 16–10
Uniform Combination
Helmet Jersey Pants

Texas A&M

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Texas A&M Aggies at Florida Gators – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Texas A&M 3 0 7919
Florida 3 7 0717

at Ben Hill Griffin StadiumGainesville, Florida

Overall record Previous meeting Previous winner
2–1 September 8, 2012 Florida, 20–17
Uniform Combination*
Helmet Jersey Pants
  • Special "alligator skin" uniforms

No.3 Georgia

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No.3 Georgia Bulldogs vs. Florida Gators – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 3 Georgia 21 0 14742
Florida 0 0 077

at EverBank FieldJacksonville, Florida

  • Date: October 28, 2017
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 84,107
  • Referee: James Carter
  • TV announcers (CBS): Brad Nessler, Gary Danielson and Allie LaForce
Overall record Previous meeting Previous winner
43–49–2 (per Florida)
43–50–2 (per Georgia)
October 29, 2016 Florida, 24–10

Following the game, it was announced that Florida and Head Coach Jim McElwain would be parting ways and Defensive coordinator Randy Shannon was to be promoted to interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

Uniform Combination
Helmet Jersey Pants

Missouri

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Florida Gators at Missouri Tigers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Florida 0 6 3716
Missouri 7 21 71045

at Faurot FieldColumbia, Missouri

Overall record Previous meeting Previous winner
3–3 October 15, 2016 Florida, 40–14
Uniform Combination
Helmet Jersey Pants

South Carolina

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Florida Gators at South Carolina Gamecocks – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Florida 0 13 0720
South Carolina 14 7 7028

at Williams-Brice StadiumColumbia, South Carolina

  • Date: November 11, 2017
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 79,727
Overall record Previous meeting Previous winner
26–8–3 November 12, 2017 Florida, 20–7
Uniform Combination
Helmet Jersey Pants
UAB Blazers at Florida Gators – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
UAB 0 0 077
Florida 6 13 14336

at Ben Hill Griffin StadiumGainesville, Florida

  • Date: November 18, 2017
  • Game time: 4:00 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 84,649
Overall record Previous meeting Previous winner
2–0 September 10, 2010 Florida, 39–0
Uniform Combination
Helmet Jersey Pants

Florida State

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Florida State Seminoles at Florida Gators – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Florida State 7 17 01438
Florida 7 6 3622

at Ben Hill Griffin StadiumGainesville, Florida

  • Date: November 25, 2017
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 89,066
Overall record Previous meeting Previous winner
34–25–2 November 26, 2016 Florida State, 31–13
Uniform Combination
Helmet Jersey Pants

Personnel

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Roster

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As of November 8, 2017[10]
2017 Florida Gators roster

Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

  •  4 Brandon Powellsenior
  •  9 Dre Massey – senior
  • 10 Josh Hammondsophomore
  • 16 Freddie Swainsophomore
  • 18 Daquon Green – freshman
  • 31 Anthony Gigla – sophomore
  • 39 Jacob Mesenger – freshman
  • 43 Glenn Jarriel –   sophomore
  • 44 Tucker Nordman –   sophomore
  • 45 Charles Nordman –   sophomore
  • 81 Antonio CallawaySUS Junior
  • 83 Rick Wells –   SUS Freshman
  • 85 James Robinson –   Freshman
  • 87 Kalif Jackson –   sophomore
  • 89 Tyrie Clevelandsophomore

Tight ends

  • 16 Brian Fallace –   junior
  • 30 DeAndre Goolsby – senior
  • 39 Ryan Ferguson –   junior
  • 46 Harry Gornto V –   sophomore
  • 80 C'yontai Lewis –   junior
  • 82 Moral Stephens –   junior
  • 88 Kemore Gamble – freshman

Punters

Offensive line

  • 51 Antonio Riles –   senior
  • 53 Kavaris Harkless –   junior
  • 59 T.J. McCoy –   sophomore
  • 61 Brett Heggie –     Freshman
  • 64 Tyler Jordan – junior
  • 65 Jawaan Taylorsophomore
  • 66 Nick Buchanan –   sophomore
  • 69 Marcus Givens –   sophomore
  • 70 Tanner Rowell –   freshman
  • 71 Nick Villano –   sophomore
  • 72 Stone Forsythe  freshman
  • 73 Martez Ivey  junior
  • 74 Fred Johnson  sophomore
  • 75 TJ Moore – freshman
  • 76 Kadeem TelfortSUS Freshman
  • 77 Andrew Mike –   junior
  • 78 Ricardo Benalcazar – senior
  • 79 Dallas Bruch –   freshman

Defensive line

  • 17 Jordan Sherit –   senior
  • 42 Jordan Smith  SUS Freshman
  • 54 Khairi Clark –   junior
  • 55 Kyree Campbell – freshman
  • 56 Tedarrell Slatonfreshman
  • 57 Elijah Conliffe – freshman
  • 68 Richerd Desir-Jones –   SUS Sophomore
  • 90 Antonneous Clayton – sophomore
  • 92 Jabari Zuniga  sophomore
  • 93 Taven Bryan  junior
  • 94 Zachary Carterfreshman
  • 95 Keivonnis Davis – SUS Junior
  • 96 CeCe Jefferson – junior
  • 97 Justus Reed –   sophomore
  • 98 Luke Ancrum –   sophomore
  • 99 Jachai Polite  Sophomore

Placekickers

Linebackers

  • 11 Vosean Josephsophomore
  • 28 Kylan Johnson –     Sophomore
  • 33 David Reese – sophomore
  • 34 Lacedrick Brunson – freshman
  • 40 Nick Smith –   Freshman
  • 41 James HoustonSUS Freshman
  • 43 Cristian Garcia –   senior
  • 44 Rayshad Jackson –   sophomore
  • 45 R.J. Raymond –   junior
  • 46 Will Thomas –   freshman
  • 50 Jeremiah Moonsophomore
  • 51 Ventrell MillerSUS Freshman
  • 53 Brendan Ackerman – freshman
  • 58 Jahim Lawrence –   sophomore
  • 59 Danny Weldon –   freshman
  • 84 Camrin Knight –   sophomore

Defensive backs

  •  2 Brad Stewart – freshman
  •  3 Marco Wilsonfreshman
  •  5 C. J. Hendersonfreshman
  •  6 Brian Edwards – freshman
  •  7 Duke Dawsonsenior
  •  8 Nick Washington –     Senior
  • 12 Christopher McWilliams –     Freshman
  • 13 Donovan Stiner – freshman
  • 14 Chris Williamsonjunior
  • 21 McArthur Burnett –   freshman
  • 23 C. J. Gardner-Johnsonsophomore
  • 25 Brady Walters –   junior
  • 26 Marcell Harris    Senior
  • 27 Quincy Lenton –     Freshman
  • 29 Jeawon Taylor – sophomore
  • 30 Garrett Stephens –     Senior
  • 31 Shawn Davisfreshman
  • 35 Joseph Putu – senior
  • 36 Eddie Giles –   junior
  • 38 Nick Oelrich –   freshman
  • 47 Austin Perry – freshman
  • 48 Edwitch Merisier –   freshman
  • 49 Cameron Town –   junior

Long snappers

  • 41 Ryan Farr – junior
  • 48 Brett DioGuardi –   freshman
  • 49 Jacob Tilghman –   sophomore

Athlete

  •   Redshirt
  •   Injury
  • SUS Suspension

Coaching staff

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Name Position Joined staff
Jim McElwain Head coach (dismissed Oct 29) 2015
Randy Shannon Defensive coordinator / Interim head coach (after Oct 29) 2015
Doug Nussmeier Offensive coordinator / quarterbacks 2015
Chris Rumph Defensive line / Interim defensive coordinator (after Oct 29) 2015
Robb Akey Defensive line (after Oct 29) 2017
Greg Nord Special teams coordinator / Tight Ends 2015
Brad Davis offensive line 2017
Ja'Juan Seider Running Backs 2017
Kerry Dixon II Wide receivers 2015
Tim Skipper Linebackers 2015
Corey Bell Defensive Backs 2017
Mike Kent Director of Strength & Conditioning 2015

Recruiting class

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US college sports recruiting information for 2017 recruits
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight 40 Commit date
Kadarius Toney
ATH
Eight Mile, Alabama Blount HS 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 177 lb (80 kg) Enrolled January 4, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: RivalsN/A   247Sports:     ESPN: 
Kadeem Telfort
OT
Miami, Florida Booker T. Washington HS 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 300 lb (140 kg) Enrolled January 5, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: RivalsN/A   247Sports:     ESPN: 
James Houston IV
OLB
Fort Lauderdale, Florida American Heritage HS 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 225 lb (102 kg) Enrolled January 8, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: RivalsN/A   247Sports:     ESPN: 
Kemore Gamble
TE
Miami, Florida Miami Southridge HS 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 216 lb (98 kg) Enrolled January 4, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: RivalsN/A   247Sports:     ESPN: 
Kyree Campbell
DT
Kingston, Pennsylvania Wyoming Seminary Prep School 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 320 lb (150 kg) Enrolled January 4, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: RivalsN/A   247Sports:     ESPN: 
Marco Wilson
CB
Fort Lauderdale, Florida American Heritage HS 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Signed February 1, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: RivalsN/A   247Sports:     ESPN: 
Jake Allen
QB
Fort Lauderdale, Florida St. Thomas Aquinas HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Signed February 1, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: RivalsN/A   247Sports:     ESPN: 
Daquon Green
WR
Tampa, Florida Tampa Bay Tech HS 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Signed February 1, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: RivalsN/A   247Sports:     ESPN: 
Donovan Stiner
CB
Bellaire, Texas Bellaire HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Signed February 1, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: RivalsN/A   247Sports:     ESPN: 
Ventrell Miller
LB
Lakeland, Florida Kathleen HS 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 227 lb (103 kg) Signed February 1, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: RivalsN/A   247Sports:     ESPN: 
Zachary Carter
DE
Tampa, Florida Hillsborough HS 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 250 lb (110 kg) Signed February 1, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: RivalsN/A   247Sports:     ESPN: 
Malik Davis
TB
Tampa, Florida Jesuit Tech HS 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Signed February 1, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: RivalsN/A   247Sports:     ESPN: 
Brad Stewart
CB
New Orleans, Louisiana McDonogh 35 HS 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 194 lb (88 kg) Signed February 1, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: RivalsN/A   247Sports:     ESPN: 
T.J. Moore
OT
Charlotte, North Carolina Mallard Creek HS 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 290 lb (130 kg) Signed February 1, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: RivalsN/A   247Sports:     ESPN: 
Lacedrick Brunson
OLB
Miami, Florida Miami Jackson HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Commit February 1, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: RivalsN/A   247Sports:     ESPN: 
Tedarrell Slaton
OG
Fort Lauderdale, Florida American Heritage HS 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 360 lb (160 kg) Signed February 1, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: RivalsN/A   247Sports:     ESPN: 
Elijah Conliffe
DT
Hampton, Virginia Hampton HS 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 305 lb (138 kg) Signed February 1, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: RivalsN/A   247Sports:     ESPN: 
C. J. Henderson
CB
Miami, Florida Columbus HS 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Signed February 1, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: RivalsN/A   247Sports:     ESPN: 
Nick Smith
LB
Orlando, Florida Dr. Phillips HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Signed February 1, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: RivalsN/A   247Sports:     ESPN: 
Brian Edwards
CB
Hollywood, Florida Miramar HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Signed February 1, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: RivalsN/A   247Sports:     ESPN: 
James Robinson IV
WR
Lakeland, Florida Lakeland HS 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Signed February 1, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: RivalsN/A   247Sports:     ESPN: 
Adarius Lemons
TB
Clearwater, Florida Clearwater HS 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Signed February 1, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: RivalsN/A   247Sports:     ESPN: 
Overall recruiting rankings:   247Sports: 10  ESPN: 13
  • ‡ Refers to 40 yard dash
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2017 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 1, 2017.

Players drafted into the NFL

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Round Pick Player Position NFL club
1 29 Taven Bryan DT Jacksonville Jaguars
2 56 Duke Dawson CB New England Patriots
4 105 Antonio Callaway WR Cleveland Browns
5 173 Johnny Townsend P Oakland Raiders
6 184 Marcell Harris S San Francisco 49ers

References

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  1. ^ University of Florida Sports Information Department. "Florida 2017 Media Guide" (PDF). floridagators.com. University Athletic Association, Inc. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  2. ^ "McElwain, UAA Mutually Agree to Part Ways". Florida Gators. Retrieved October 29, 2017.
  3. ^ 2017 Football Schedule (FloridaGators.com)
  4. ^ Andreu, Robbie (September 7, 2017). "Northern Colorado at Florida game cancelled". Gainesville Sun. Retrieved September 8, 2017.
  5. ^ "2017 Football Schedule".
  6. ^ MICH Pregame
  7. ^ TENN Pregame
  8. ^ KEN Pregame
  9. ^ VAN Pregame
  10. ^ "2017 Football Roster". Florida Gators. Retrieved November 8, 2017.