The Florida Gators versus Miami Hurricanes 2019 season opener could be moved up a week to Aug. 24 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of college football.

Florida Citrus Sports released a statement Thursday confirming ESPN, Camping World Kickoff officials and the two schools discussed moving the game. In January, a waiver was submitted to the NCAA seeking approval to move the game.

“This past December, Florida, Miami and Florida Citrus Sports were approached by ESPN, who had the College Football 150th organization’s support (the entity overseeing the upcoming season-long celebration), to explore interest in moving the Camping World Kickoff game in Orlando to August 24 as part of a special kick off day celebrating the sports 150th anniversary season," the statement read. “This is a unique and rare opportunity that would showcase college football, both storied programs, and the state of Florida. In January, a waiver was submitted to the NCAA seeking approval to move the game under this premise.

“Both schools, along with ESPN, College Football 150th Anniversary organization and Florida Citrus Sports, understand that fans, and the teams themselves, need time to make necessary arrangements should the waiver be granted. A decision is anticipated shortly.”

A source first confirmed the potential move to the Orlando Sentinel on Wednesday night.

If moved, the game would better showcase the first matchup between the long-standing rivals since 2013. The only other FBS game scheduled for Aug. 24 is Arizona at Hawaii.

The game would mark the earliest start to the football season for either school. UF and UM now would have three bye weeks, too.

The game will pit UF second-year coach Dan Mullen against former assistant coach Manny Diaz.

Diaz, who will be in his first season replacing Mark Richt, was Mullen’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Mississippi State in 2010 and again in 2015.

This will be the first meeting between UF and UM in six years, when the Hurricanes edged the Gators 21-16 in South Florida.

UF had won the longtime rivals’ previous meeting, in 2008, to snap a six-game losing streak in a series that began in 1938. The Hurricanes lead the series with a 29-26 record.

The date change will move the game from Labor Day weekend, when most college football teams open their seasons.

UF and UM officials each announced anyone who purchased tickets for the game and cannot go will be reimbursed.

UF has opened the season on Aug. 30 three times, most recently in 2014 at home against Idaho — a game eventually canceled by severe weather.

Miami’s earliest start was on Aug. 27, 1984, as defending national champions against Auburn. The Hurricanes defeated the Tigers 20-18 in East Rutherford, N.J.

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Edgar can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com