The countdown is nearly over in Gainesville as the 15th-ranked Florida Gators prepare to open their much-anticipated 2025 season against the Long Island University Sharks on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
For the first time since 2021, Florida begins the year inside the AP Top 25, and this clash marks the program’s first-ever meeting with LIU. The only previous encounter against a current Northeast Conference opponent came way back in 1950, when the Gators topped Duquesne, 27-14, on home turf.
The Sharks enter under the guidance of Ron Cooper, now in his fourth year at the helm. Cooper has compiled a 12-22 overall record (11-9 in the NEC) and is tasked with lifting LIU after a 4-8 campaign last fall that saw the program finish fourth in the conference standings.
Here's what you need to know to watch Florida host Long Island on Saturday, including start time and TV channel.
What channel is Florida vs. Long Island on today?
- TV channel: SECN+
- Live stream: ESPN+
Florida vs. Long Island will air live on SECN+ and ESPN+, with Jay Alter (play-by-play) and Rocky Boiman (analyst) on the game call.
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Florida vs. Long Island start time
- Date: Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025
- Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET or 4 p.m. PT
Florida vs. Long Island is set to kick off at 7 p.m. ET from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida.
Florida vs. Long Island radio station
- Radio channel: SiriusXM
Listen live to Florida vs. Long Island live on SiriusXM via channel 191 (Gators broadcast).
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Florida Gators Schedule 2025
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Aug. 30 | vs. LIU Sharks | 7:00 p.m. |
| Sep. 6 | vs. USF Bulls | 4:15 p.m. |
| Sep. 13 | at LSU Tigers | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sep. 20 | at Miami (FL) Hurricanes | TBD |
| Sep. 27 | OFF | - |
| Oct. 4 | vs. Texas Longhorns | TBD |
| Oct. 11 | at Texas A&M Aggies | TBD |
| Oct. 18 | vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs (Homecoming) | TBD |
| Oct. 25 | OFF | - |
| Nov. 1 | vs. Georgia Bulldogs | 3:30 p.m. |
| Nov. 8 | at Kentucky Wildcats | TBD |
| Nov. 15 | at Ole Miss Rebels | TBD |
| Nov. 22 | vs. Tennessee Volunteers | TBD |
| Nov. 29 | vs. Florida State Seminoles | TBD |
| Dec. 6 | SEC Championship | 4:00 p.m. |
Long Islands Schedule 2025
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Aug. 30 | vs. Stonehill Skyhawks | 2:00 p.m. |
| Sept. 6 | at Lehigh Mountain Hawks | 12:00 p.m. |
| Sept. 13 | at LIU Sharks | 12:00 p.m. |
| Sept. 20 | at Norfolk State Spartans | TBD |
| Sept. 27 | vs. Delaware State Hornets | 12:00 p.m. |
| Oct. 4 | at CCSU Blue Devils | TBD |
| Oct. 11 | vs. Howard Bison | 1:00 p.m. |
| Oct. 18 | at Montana Grizzlies | 3:00 p.m. |
| Nov. 1 | vs. New Haven Chargers | 12:00 p.m. |
| Nov. 8 | vs. Virginia-Lynchburg Dragons | 12:00 p.m. |
| Nov. 15 | vs. Merrimack Warriors | 12:00 p.m. |
| Nov. 22 | at Villanova Wildcats | 1:00 p.m. |