Name: Orange & Blue Debut
Time:
 Friday, 7 p.m. ET
TV: SEC Network
Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (Gainesville, Fla.)
Format: Four 12-minute quarters with a running clock that will only stop on change of possession and during the two-minute drill at the end of each half. No live kickoffs or punts.

Florida is changing it up for 2016 and moving its annual spring game from Saturday afternoon to Friday night with an assortment of fan festivities being presented as Swamp Night. The Gators are going all out to restore fans’ enthusiasm after ending the 2015 campaign on a three-game losing streak that put a damper on coach Jim McElwain’s debut season (despite 10 wins and an SEC East title).

Here’s a look at five things that UF needs to accomplish to end spring on a high note:

1. CREATE EXCITEMENT ABOUT THE THE NEW-LOOK GATORS

Key contributors from the 2015 team (DT Jonathan Bullard, CB Vernon Hargreaves III, S Keanu Neal, LB Antonio Morrison, RB Kelvin Taylor, WR Demarcus Robinson and TE Jake McGee) have all departed due to either graduating or entering the NFL draft. On both sides of the ball, there will be some unfamiliar names for people to get to know.

There weren’t a lot of exciting plays for the team late in the ’15 season, and with several of the biggest names gone, Florida needs a few new players to capture the attention of the fan base.

The best way for the lesser-known Gators to get their names out there is by making highlight plays Friday night.

2. DEMONSTRATE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PASSING GAME

This should not be too difficult, as Florida’s passing game was dreadful in the second half of last season. Treon Harris, who took over after Will Grier’s suspension, is not currently with the team due to an indefinite suspension, but reports indicated he was slotted to move to wide receiver this season.

Since Florida’s season ended with a 41-7 loss to Michigan in the Citrus Bowl, three new quarterbacks (Austin Appleby, Feleipe Franks and Kyle Trask) have joined the roster via transfer (Appleby) and early enrollment (Franks, Trask), while another transfer, Luke Del Rio, is now eligible after sitting out last season.

Harris (5-foot-9) was hampered as a drop-back passer by his inability to see the field. McElwain has done his best to remedy that problem, as all four quarterbacks competing for the starting job are 6-foot-1 or taller.

The new quarterbacks will be throwing behind a relatively inexperienced offensive line that should have benefitted from 14 more practices, and should be able to remind Gators fans what a working passing game looks like.

3. MAKE FIELD GOALS

Florida’s kicking game was atrocious last season, with Austin Hardin making only 5-of-14 field goals. McElwain addressed the issue need by signing the top-rated kicker in the 2016 class, Eddy Pineiro.

Pineiro, a former junior college soccer player, has never actually kicked in a football game, but has become a fan favorite after posting multiple videos of himself on social media making long field goals with ease. The spring game is a good time for Pineiro to prove he can make a field goal in a game setting in front of a crowd.

4. SHOW OFF THE EARLY ENROLLEES

Just like any other home game, the Orange & Blue Debut will be a big recruiting opportunity for McElwain and his staff. The coaches would be wise to show prospective recruits that many of the 12 early enrollees who joined the team in January are in the mix for playing time in the fall, sending the message that Florida signees see the field, not the bench.

Skill position players on offense – RB Mark Thompson and the trio of freshmen receivers – should touch the ball early and often.

5. MAKE IT FEEL LIKE A REAL NIGHT GAME IN THE SWAMP

Moving the spring game from Saturday afternoon to Friday night raised expectations for the game experience and in theory will make it easier for recruits to attend. Spectators will be expecting an atmosphere comparable to a night game in The Swamp, and two teams trading possessions in a scoreless game would kill the energy.

This year’s spring game should have more people watching in person and on TV. The Gators need to deliver on the hype they’ve created for the event.