Different story in Gainesville? Florida writer says Gators will have much stiffer mask enforcement than lax FSU

Scenes of mask-less Florida State fans on Saturday sparked some strong reactions in Gainesville as college football fans got their first glimpse of new protocols this season.

Gainesville Sun columnist Pat Dooley noted that the atmosphere, and enforcement, will be much different at Florida home games.

The university has already announced that, “In accordance with campus guidelines, face coverings (over the nose and mouth) will be required of all guests throughout the entire game, except during times of eating or drinking only. Failure to comply with this important health guideline could result in loss of ticket privileges.”

Like many other stadiums, because of physical distancing requirements, total capacity at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium will be 20 percent in the seating bowl and club levels, which puts capacity right at 17,000.

Don’t expect the same maskless scene you saw at FSU yesterday when Florida plays in three weeks. You don’t wear a mask, you lose ticket privileges for future games.

— Pat Dooley (@pat_dooley) September 13, 2020

Here is a glimpse at some of the fans at Florida State:

Florida State made zero attempt to socially distance their fans. There are enough empty seats. They could’ve done it but didn’t.

Their decision will kill people who were NOT at this game.

People will literally die b/c FSU is too stupid or lazy to slap tape on metal benches. https://t.co/N5T3PutPzx

— Andrew Doughty (@Adoughty88) September 12, 2020

Week 1 sad FSU fans and a surrender Cobra LET’S GOOO pic.twitter.com/mCvDwZmWGb

— gifdsports (@gifdsports) September 13, 2020

Sad FSU fans. Football is back. pic.twitter.com/v4rJmY2S3G

— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) September 13, 2020

FSU fans don’t believe in rules or masks. pic.twitter.com/Bm2F4uZpiR

— Manny Chang 🇵🇪🇫🇷 (@MannyC_17) September 13, 2020

Keith Farner

A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.