University Of Florida Football Game Vs. Northern Colorado Moved Up

GAINESVILLE, FL — Saturday's football game between the No. 22 University of Florida Gators and the University of Northern Colorado Bears has been rescheduled to kickoff at noon in preparation for Hurricane Irma.

The game was originally slated for a 7:30 p.m. start, but Irma's anticipated impact — she's currently a Category 5 hurricane — pushed the Gators to move it up.

Irma is expected to begin adversely affecting that part of the state by Saturday evening or Sunday morning, so changing the game time gives "people a chance to come to the game and return home before any expected weather or effects hit our area," Gators athletic director Scott Stricklin said. (For more information on the Gators and other University of Florida stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

Florida also cancelled a Sunday night women's soccer match against South Florida. Florida's cross country teams will still compete in Jacksonville at the North Florida Invitational, a meet that was originally scheduled for Saturday and now will be run on Thursday night.

North Florida cross country coach Jeff Pigg says "hopefully, running in the meet will allow the student-athletes a moment to take their minds off the hurricane."

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Photo credit: Bryan McDonald via Flickr/Creative Commons