University of Florida fans shine their phone lights and sing along to “I Won’t Back Down” by Tom Petty during the Gators game against Charlotte at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla., Saturday night, Sept. 22, 2023. (Caleb Ross/WRUF)
Fans sitting in the upper levels of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium wait for the kickoff before the game against Charlotte in Gainesville, Fla., Saturday night, Sept. 23, 2023. (Augustus Hoff/WRUF)
The University of Florida football team leaves their locker room to run out onto the field for the first time before the game against Charlotte at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla., Saturday night, Sept. 23, 2023. (Augustus Hoff/WRUF)
Three Charlotte football players look into the crowd of 89,053 people before the University of Florida and Charlotte game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla., Saturday night, Sept. 23, 2023. (Augustus Hoff/WRUF)
University of Florida cheerleader perform during the game against Charlotte at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla., Saturday night, Sept. 23, 2023. (Augustus Hoff/WRUF)
University of Florida offensive linemen Mark Pitts (#73) and Riley Simonds (#64) share a moment before the start of the Gators game against Charlotte at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla., Saturday night, Sept. 22, 2023. (Caleb Ross/WRUF)
University of Florida’s Graham Mertz (#15) slides to avoid a tackle during the game against Charlotte at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla., Saturday night, Sept. 23, 2023. (Augustus Hoff/WRUF)
Lee Hedrick, the referee, looks ahead during the game against Charlotte at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla., Saturday night, Sept. 23, 2023. (Augustus Hoff/WRUF)
University of Florida’s Ricky Pearsall (#1) jumps to catch the ball during the Gators game against Charlotte at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla., Saturday night, Sept. 22, 2023. (Caleb Ross/WRUF)
A Charlotte fan reacts as the Charlotte football team loses on the ability to save a third down ahead during the game against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla., Saturday night, Sept. 23, 2023. (Augustus Hoff/WRUF)
University of Florida quarterback Graham Mertz (#15) makes eye contact with wide receiver Andy Jean (#6) during the Gators game against Charlotte at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla., Saturday night, Sept. 22, 2023. (Caleb Ross/WRUF)
The cheer squad at the University of Florida leads the Orange and Blue chant, showing the Blue side of the stadium during the game against Charlotte at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla., Saturday night, Sept. 23, 2023. (Augustus Hoff/WRUF)
The University of Florida band finishes its half-time performance dedicated to Tom Petty during the game against Charlotte at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla., Saturday night, Sept. 23, 2023. (Augustus Hoff/WRUF)
University of Florida’s Arlis Boardingham (#8) scores a touchdown making the score 0-6 during the first quarter of the Gators game against Charlotte at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla., Saturday night, Sept. 22, 2023. (Caleb Ross/WRUF)
University of Florida fans cheer during the Gators game against Charlotte at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla., Saturday night, Sept. 22, 2023. (Caleb Ross/WRUF)
University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s Jack Hestera (#19) catches the ball during the Gators game against Charlotte at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla., Saturday night, Sept. 22, 2023. (Caleb Ross/WRUF)
University of Florida fans shine their phone lights and sing along to “I Won’t Back Down” by Tom Petty during the Gators game against Charlotte at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla., Saturday night, Sept. 22, 2023. (Caleb Ross/WRUF)
A crowd of 89,603 people shine flashlights after the end of the third quarter to commemorate Tom Petty during the game against Charlotte at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla., Saturday night, Sept. 23, 2023. (Augustus Hoff/WRUF)
University of Florida’s mascot Albert gets the student section excited during the Gators game against Charlotte at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla., Saturday night, Sept. 22, 2023. (Caleb Ross/WRUF)
University of Florida quarterback Graham Mertz (#15) runs the ball during the Gators game against Charlotte at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla., Saturday night, Sept. 22, 2023. (Caleb Ross/WRUF)
A Gators helmet held high during the game against Charlotte at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla., Saturday night, Sept. 23, 2023. (Augustus Hoff/WRUF)
University of Florida Head Coach Billy Napier talks with former All-SEC pitcher for UF Jeff Cardozo following the Gators game against Charlotte at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla., Saturday night, Sept. 22, 2023. The Gators won the game scoring 22 points against Charlotte’s 7. (Caleb Ross/WRUF)