GUT Check: Florida vs Auburn
A comprehensive breakdown of the throwback uniforms and a recap of the on-field gear
Throwbacks. Are. Back. Gator nation was finally satisfied after a 13 year hiatus from the fan-favorite uniforms Saturday as Florida took the field in 1960’s era throwback (fauxback) uniforms vs Auburn. In the biggest game of Florida’s season thus far, the Gators played like their glory days of 2006 in both back and forth fighting for the victory and in the same(ish) throwback uniforms. The Gators pushed their record to 2–0 in throwback uniforms and 8–2 in blue jerseys against Auburn since 1990. Also to note, the Gators wore a uniform other than traditional O/B/W for the first time against auburn since 1988. Here’s a recap from Florida’s 24–13 win over the #7 Auburn Tigers:
1. Gators go all in with throwbacks
Not only did throwback uniforms debut for the first time since 2006, but this time, the players took throwback to the next level. From black cleats to accessories, Florida’s equipment staff put on a CLINIC for the rest of the country when it comes to uniforms:
Black cleats: The Gators debuted black cleats as the team issued cleat for the first time since 1994. Previously, the Gators wore black cleats until the early 70s and the 80s with white cleats. The cleats were the same Jordan styles for the 2019 season except all black and white laces. The 2006 throwbacks featured white cleats.
Double striped socks: The Gators wore double striped socks that mimicked the same style worn during the ’60’s. This was the first time the Gators wore stripes on their socks since 2017, which featured one single orange stripe at the top of the sock.
Throwback logo towels: New hand towels featured the Circle F throwback logo. This was the first time the hand towels featured a different logo since 2013 when hand towels debuted the Gatorhead logo.
Throwback logo warmup shirts: The Gators took the field for warm ups in the same blue throwback logo shirt available in stores. This was the first time the Gators warmed up in a shirt other than their normal blue warmup shirts.
White chinstrap padding: Florida also debuted a new chinstrap padding color, white with a blue Jordan logo, after wearing blue with an orange Jordan logo in every other game this season.
We saw a few players opt to not wear the team issued black cleats including Ventrell Miller who wore the Jordan 1s or (my personal favorite) Brad Stewart who wore white cleats. (The white cleats with the throwbacks is such a clean look. You could argue that could be a full time uniform with white cleats).
2. Staff joins in on the throwback fun
The Florida Gators coaches and staff also participated in the throwback weekend wearing a variety of gear.
Throwback logo polos: Dan Mullen sported a white throwback logo polo while other staff members (including trainers) wore a blue throwback logo polo. This was the first time this season the coaches and staff wore a polo other than the normal Gatorhead polo. Unfortunately, the throwback logo polos aren’t for sale (make it happen @GatorsEquipment)
Throwback logo headset decals: In a really nice touch, the headset decals were changed to throwback logos.
Other staff members also wore the throwback logo hats.
Throwback uniform breakdown
When everyone realized we were wearing throwback uniforms for Auburn, the assumption was they would be the same as the 2006 uniforms. Once the throwback logo t-shirts dropped, theories began to circulate about the possibility of a different (or even blue) helmet. We got our answer as the Gators took the field in Circle F decaled throwback helmets
Circle F helmets
- White helmets; it was later determined these were the same white helmets the team has used since 2015 but redecaled and a new facemask (you can also tell because of the blue flakes in the helmet)
- Gray facemask for the first time since the late 60’s
- Circle F decal from the 1964–1965 season. However, the Circle F was never used on a white helmet, only blue helmets. The Circle F also had an orange F in the 64–65 seasons, not a blue F as we saw on Saturday. The 2006 throwbacks had just the old F logo
- Single orange stripe for the first time since 1968. The single orange stripe was used during the 1947–1962 seasons, 1965 for 4 games, 1967 for 2 games, and the whole 1968 season. The 2006 throwbacks were historically accurate with the 1966 season as they had a blue/orange/blue helmet stripe.
- CFB 150th anniversary logo on the bumper. This was the first time the bumper strayed from the usual Gatorhead since 2005 (not including the Slant F/Speed F that the Gators wore on their white helmets for the first time against Georgia in 2018). The 2006 throwbacks had no nose bumper decal
- Blue/White SEC decal. The orange helmets have blue/orange decals and the regular white helmets have orange/blue decals. Yes, I know they are technically transparent.
Throwback jerseys
- Blue jersey with white and orange shoulder stripes that replicates the same blue jersey worn in the 1964 game vs FSU, 1964 vs LSU, and 1965 vs Miami
- The jersey is still the Vapor Untouchable template however it now features a horizontal stitch line across the chest to compensate for the new shoulder stripes. This is the same stitching that many VU teams with shoulder stripes wear (such as LSU).
- SEC patch. The previous 2006 throwbacks didn’t have an SEC patch
- NoB (Name on Back). The previous 2006 throwbacks didn’t have the last name on the back of the jersey
Throwback pants
- Equal stripe spacing this time around for the blue/orange/blue stripes on the pants. The 2006 throwbacks featured thin blue stripes and a single think orange stripe which matched the helmet stripe.
- No belt/white belt. The 2006 throwbacks featured a blue belt which I would have liked to see return for these 2019 throwbacks.
Throwback socks and cleats
- See analysis from in-game recap above
How did we get here?
After season ticket holders received their Auburn ticket stub featuring images from the 1966 Florida vs Auburn Homecoming game and Steve Spurrier in his playing days, Gators Uniform Tracker started to put 2 and 2 together. A tweet by Scott Stricklin in Fall 2018 seemed to allude that the throwbacks could be making their return sooner rather than later. Then, one morning in July 2019, the University of Florida Bookstore inadvertently released the retail version of the throwback jerseys thus virtually confirming throwback uniforms were returning for the Auburn game. In the history of alternate or throwback uniforms for both professional and collegiate teams, I have NEVER seen a team release a retail jersey and it not show up on the field the next season. With the throwback jerseys confirmed before the season even started, fans looked forward to seeing the final product with the Jordan logo on the left chest.
Then, the throwback logo t-shirts were spotted in the University of Florida Bookstore.
If Gator Nation needed any more confirmation that throwbacks were happening, the t-shirts sealed the deal. However, it was quickly pointed out that throwback logo on the shirts were reminiscent of the 1964–1965 Circle F decal the Gators used on their helmets.
This sparked a major discussion; could blue helmets make their debut with throwback uniforms?
With both blue and white throwback t-shirts being sold in the bookstore, it only seemed correct that the blue shirt was accurate with the throwbacks. Although the Circle F decal from 1964–1965 featured an orange F rather than a blue F, the blue shirts were historically accurate enough for throwbacks for most colleges (or Fauxbacks as we will discuss later).
So which helmet would it be? Blue helmets because of the blue throwback shirts or white helmets to pay tribute to the 1966 season and 2006 throwbacks.
On Saturday, September 28th, 2019 after Florida defeated Towson, black throwback cleats teased the release of the throwback uniform.
The next morning, they dropped, and Gator Nation rejoiced.
Personal Opinion
I tend to keep my page void of personal opinions regarding uniforms as I want Gator nation to have discussion without inputting my bias or thoughts into the equation. But I can’t resist giving a few cents on these throwbacks so stop reading if you don’t want to hear my thoughts
I LOVE these throwbacks. The equipment staff did a great job executing on a plan to bring back the throwbacks and they are BEAUTIFUL. I have a few nitpicks that would have put the cherry on top for me:
- Historical accuracy. As stated before, the helmets combine elements from multiple seasons during the 60’s making them a “fauxback” (a fake throwback). I love that they paid homage to a lot of different teams but would have loved it more if the whole helmet was accurate. I think the 2006 throwback helmets (which we accurate) would have looked great this uniform. Also, the Circle F was never used on a white helmet, which bugs me, but by gosh does it look great. Like I said, this is just a nitpick as I think these uniforms are a 10/10
- IF this was a uniform for full time, I would like to see white cleats to top it off as a super clean look. But black cleats were perfect for going 100% into throwback uniforms
Now, should these uniforms become full time? In my opinion, no. Our standard, and iconic, orange script helmet combined with the same jerseys we have worn since basically the 80s is too well known around the country, as for our brand, to scrap them for these throwbacks. IF we were to ever change our uniforms I would 100% be in favor of these throwback jerseys and pants. (Just think, a white version of the throwback jerseys…..wow). The helmet is the only question. I would like to see how the orange script helmet would look on these helmets and pants.
Here’s what should happen; throwbacks for homecoming. Every. Year. Stricklin recently alluded to this actually happening and I’ve been told by sources there has been discussions dating back to a year ago about throwbacks for homecoming becoming an annual thing. Now that the jerseys are on the VU template, the Gators can definitely wear these for homecoming every year (or at least till we switch templates). Wearing the throwbacks for homecoming every year will keep the uniforms special and not become saturated as “full time” uniforms. Throwbacks every year also opens up the opportunity for GatorsEquipment to experiment with new throwback helmets. Maybe, if I could suggest, orange helmets with interlocking UF?
As far as moving forward; what will happen to these white throwback helmets? Don’t they need to be switched to the regular modern white helmets? Well, yes. According to the season tickets, we are scheduled to wear these white helmets versus Vanderbilt. But, due to the time and effort needed to re decal all the helmets, could we see them worn for that game with our regular blue jerseys and white pants? Yeah sure there is a possibility. But it probably won’t happen. The modern white helmets are loved by players and recruits so I can’t see us straying away from that.
Overall, these throwbacks were a hit among fans and an A+ grade in my book. Props to Stricklin, Mullen, the football staff, and the equipment staff for pulling it off beautifully.
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