Miami Life

Photos: ESPN College GameDay in Miami, Florida

Hosts Desmond Howard, Rece Davis, Pat McAfee, Nick Saban, and Kirk Herbstreit partied with Sebastian, and the Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk made an appearance.
By Celia AlmeidaSeptember 21, 2025
overhead view of UM mascot Sebastian the Ibis greeting fans
Sebastian greets Canes fans at ESPN College GameDay on the UM campus.

Photo by Alexandra Rodriguez
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Gators fans have waited about a year to avenge their team’s humiliating loss to the Miami Hurricanes at the Swamp in Gainesville, Florida, in 2024. But as was widely predicted before this weekend’s matchup, the No. 4 Miami Hurricanes beat the unranked Florida Gators Saturday night, 26-7.

Still, despite the predictable stakes, Canes (and Gators) fans found a reason to party in Miami: ESPN’s College GameDay stop at the University of Miami. Fans flocked to the campus in their orange and green (with some blue sprinkled in here and there) to see hosts Desmond Howard, Rece Davis, Pat McAfee, Nick Saban, and Kirk Herbstreit let loose with Sebastian the Ibis. The Panthers’ Matthew Tkachuk also made an appearance.

a group of sports fans stands on a platform wearing paint on their chests with text reading "Canes"
Canes fans sported their team colors on their chests.

Photo by Alexandra Rodriguez

cheering University of Miami Hurricanes cheerleaders
The Hurricanes’ Spirit Squad hyped up fans at College GameDay.

Photo by Alexandra Rodriguez

Left to right: Desmond Howard, Rece Davis, Pat McAfee, Nick Saban, and Kirk Herbstreit host ESPN College GameDay at the University of Miami.

Photo by Alexandra Rodriguez

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an outdoor tailgate party with a tent reading ESPN
Fans packed in to party with ESPN.

Photo by Alexandra Rodriguez

UM fans wearing Home Depot merch at a tailgate
For these fans, it’s all about the U.

Photo by Alexandra Rodriguez

a man in a maroon suit takes a selfie with UM fans at a tailgate
A handful of Gators fans could be seen throughout.

Photo by Alexandra Rodriguez

UM fans at an outdoor ESPN tailgate
It was a packed house.

Photo by Alexandra Rodriguez

UM fans hold up a poster with a photo of Gators coach Billy Napier. The poster reads, "Open to Work"
These fans predict Gators coach Billy Napier will be looking for work soon.

Photo by Alexandra Rodriguez

UM fans hold up a poster reading "I saw DJ Lagway at Club Space last night"
Gators need downtime, too.

Photo by Alexandra Rodriguez

UM fans wearing Home Depot merch helmets
Fans got lots of sponsored swag.

Photo by Alexandra Rodriguez

backstage view of hosts hosting a sports panel
A backstage view of ESPN College GameDay.

Photo by Alexandra Rodriguez

UM mascot Sebastian the Ibis with the hosts of ESPN College GameDay
The hosts let loose with Sebastian.

Photo by Alexandra Rodriguez

A group of young UM fans. One holds a sign reading, "Lizards don't survive hurricanes."
Lizards famously do survive hurricanes — but not at this weekend’s game.

Photo by Alexandra Rodriguez

UM fans in Home Depot helmets hold up a sign reading "Gator?"
So much sponsored merch.

Photo by Alexandra Rodriguez

A group of sports fans dressed head-to-toe in UM gear and holding a sign reading, "Dade County" with the UM logo
Rooting for the home team.

Photo by Alexandra Rodriguez

three hosts sit on a sports TV show panel
The Panthers’ Matthew Tkachuk made a special appearance.

Photo by Alexandra Rodriguez

a packed tailgate of UM fans
A sea of orange and green.

Photo by Alexandra Rodriguez

overhead view of a college football tailgate near a stage and next to a pool
There’s some blue in there if you look closely.

Photo by Alexandra Rodriguez

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Before rejoining Miami New Times as culture editor in 2025, Celia Almeida freelanced for the paper starting in 2016, then came aboard as a staff editor in 2018. Beginning in late 2019, she served as digital editor for Ink. Her writing has been featured in Billboard, Consequence, Paper, and Rolling Stone, among other outlets.

celia.almeida@miaminewtimes.com

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