11 Gators ready for Tampa homecoming vs. USF

GAINESVILLE — As the buildup for No. 13 Florida’s trip to Raymond James Stadium grew, Gators defensive lineman Zachary Carter got a list of ticket requests from his mom.

She wanted 30.

“That’s not including the people that asked me,” Carter said. “So if I can get 40, I’ll take it.”

Tickets were scarce this week for USF’s biggest non-conference game in years before it sold out Friday.

This matchup is especially important for Carter.

“Homecoming, man,” he said.

The Hillsborough High alumnus is one of 11 players from Hillsborough, Pinellas or Pasco County on UF’s roster. Five of them (Carter, plus offensive linemen Richard Gouraige and Ethan White, running back Malik Davis and linebacker Amari Burney) are starters or co-starters on UF’s unofficial depth chart. No other metro area comes close.

That makes this contest especially sweet for players like Davis, a Jesuit High alumnus.

“I haven’t played back in Tampa in four years,” said Davis, Hillsborough County’s all-time leading rusher. “So it’ll definitely be fun.”

The proximity to so many Gators is one reason why UF took the somewhat unusual step to play at a Group of Five program. It’ll be the Gators’ first true road game against a team outside the current Power Five since a 38-13 win at Memphis State in 1989.

Players and their families appreciate the effort, judging by how many calls and texts Gouraige received this week.

“Since this is home for me, everybody wants to come out and support,” said Gouraige, a Cambridge Christian product.

Saturday will be Carter’s first game at Raymond James Stadium, but he almost earned a trip there growing up. Carter remembers his peewee team, the Bay Area Raiders, losing a championship game. If his team had won, they would have played another local championship team on the Bucs’ field.

Stay updated on Tampa Bay’s sports scene

Subscribe to our free Sports Today newsletter

We’ll send you news and analysis on the Bucs, Lightning, Rays and Florida’s college football teams every day.

Loading...

You’re all signed up!

Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.

Explore all your options

“I still remember,” Carter said. “I’m old, but I still remember.”

• • •

Never miss out on the latest with the Bucs, Rays, Lightning, Florida college sports and more. Follow our Tampa Bay Times sports team on Twitter and Facebook.