TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Normally when you hear the word “Gasparilla” in Tampa, you think about a pirate invasion.
This weekend, — it’ll be an ‘invasion of gators.”
University of Florida fans are out ahead of Friday’s Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl.
Kate Breaux was born and raised in Tampa and now plays for the Florida Gator Band.
“I’m so excited to come back home to Tampa Bay and bring the Gator Band with me,” she said.
This season has been an emotional roller coaster for Gator fans, with arguably one of the toughest schedules in college football.
Through the highs — like finishing the season with three consecutive wins — and the lows — like both Graham Mertz and DJ Lagway getting hurt — fans said this team played with heart through it all.
And now, the Florida Gators made it to a bowl game.
As they gear up for the Gasparilla Bowl to kick off Friday afternoon, there are hundreds if not thousands of fans from the Tampa Bay Area eager to have the Gators play at Raymond James Stadium.