Florida Opens Sumrall Era With 66-21 Win

Florida opened the Jon Sumrall era with a 66-21 victory over Florida Atlantic before an announced crowd of 90,295. Quarterback Aaron Philo completed 16 of 21 passes for 275 yards and three touchdowns, added a rushing score, and helped Florida produce 624 total yards. Running back Jadan Baugh rushed for 160 yards and three touchdowns on 14 carries, while Vernell Brown III caught six passes for 117 yards and a score. The Gators scored on five of their first six possessions and forced three turnovers, including interceptions by Dijon Johnson and DJ Coleman. Florida’s defense allowed 396 yards and struggled against FAU quarterback Caden Veltkamp, prompting Sumrall to criticize its soft play at halftime. The victory gave Florida momentum heading into its Week 2 matchup with Campbell while highlighting defensive issues to address against stronger opponents.