If the Gators score Saturday, free alcohol will flow at 101 Cantina.
Patrons of the restaurant and bar will receive free orange-and-blue shots every time the UF football team scores against the University of Alabama during the SEC Championship game, be it a field goal or a touchdown.
The game, in which UF is a 24-point underdog, begins at 4 p.m. in Atlanta.
Although some fans chuckled at the notion that the Gators would score often against the Crimson Tide — which means fewer shots for patrons — Erik Zika, a co-owner of Cantina, said the promotion is a way to celebrate UF’s football season.
“To us, it’s not about the money,” he said. “It’s to have a good party and to have a good time.”
With Saturday marking the last game of UF’s regular season, Zika said the event will be a way for students and residents to send the team off with a bang.
“It’s the last time we get to see our Gators play this year, other than the bowl game, of course,” he said. “I’m cautiously optimistic.”
In order for the Gators to win, he said, quarterback Austin Appleby needs to play better — especially against Alabama’s stifling defense, which ranks among the nation’s best.
Dylan Probert, a UF theatre freshman, said the alcohol promotion is smart for Cantina’s business.
“I think it’s a funny idea,” the 18-year-old said. “They’re not going to give out a lot of free shots, because I don’t know how much we’re going to score.”
Probert said he doubts the Gators will be able to get past Alabama’s defense.
“We’re probably going to get kind of killed,” he said.
