{"id":391975,"date":"2026-09-06T07:10:23","date_gmt":"2026-09-06T07:10:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/391975\/"},"modified":"2026-09-06T07:10:23","modified_gmt":"2026-09-06T07:10:23","slug":"gators-rout-fau-in-sumralls-debut-uf-football-fun-again","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/391975\/","title":{"rendered":"Gators rout FAU in Sumrall’s debut; UF football fun again"},"content":{"rendered":"

GAINESVILLE \u2014 \u201cOur long national nightmare is over.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gerald Ford famously uttered those words in 1974 after Richard Nixon resigned in disgrace and Ford inherited a nation desperate for a fresh start.<\/p>\n

OK, so maybe replacing Billy Napier with Jon Sumrall isn\u2019t quite Watergate.<\/p>\n

But judging by the mood<\/a> inside a sold-out Swamp on Saturday night, Gator Nation was ready to celebrate Liberation Day, too.<\/p>\n

Florida blew out FAU 66-21 in Sumrall\u2019s inaugural game and scored more points than a UF team ever has in a head coach\u2019s debut, but this didn\u2019t feel like another season opener against an overmatched opponent.<\/p>\n

After four years of Napier, it felt like an exorcism.<\/p>\n

The crowd of 90,295 \u2013 the fifth-largest opening day crowd in school history \u2013 was loud. The sidelines were alive. The offense had juice. The head coach had a pulse.<\/p>\n

Florida football felt like Florida football again.<\/p>\n

That alone was worth celebrating.<\/p>\n

\u201cRunning out of the tunnel for the first time exceeded my expectations and I had pretty high expectations,\u201d Sumrall said of the greeting he and his team received when they sprinted onto the field before kickoff. \u201cIt was exhilarating. The stadium was on fire.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Napier made his coaching debut at James Madison on Saturday, and \u2013 no joke \u2013 the Dukes were penalized 15 yards before the game even started. Napier wasn\u2019t just a losing coach at Florida. He was a boring coach, which at UF might be the more unforgivable sin. His news conferences often sounded like quarterly earnings calls. If Napier had been captain of the Titanic, he would have calmly explained that the organization was experiencing some temporary buoyancy challenges.<\/p>\n

Sumrall?<\/p>\n

He probably would have punched the iceberg and broken it up into cubes.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s the difference Gator fans have embraced since Sumrall arrived from Tulane preaching urgency, toughness and accountability. Saturday night, they finally got to see whether all that talk translated to football.<\/p>\n

It did.<\/p>\n

The most anticipated debut besides Sumrall belonged to quarterback Aaron Philo, operating new offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner\u2019s system to near perfection. Philo completed 16-of-21 passes for 275 yards and three touchdowns. He launched a perfectly placed 63-yard bomb to TJ Abrams to set up another score..<\/p>\n

More important than the numbers was the feeling. Florida played offense with pace, aggression and explosiveness. Philo\u2019s passing was precision; Jadan Baugh\u2019s running (14 carries, 160 yards and three TDs) was violent and explosive. Vernell Brown\u2019s receiving (six catches for 117 yards and a touchdown) was electric.<\/p>\n

There was purpose in the offense. There was creativity. There was \u2013 dare we say it? \u2013 fun. The Gators finished with a whopping 624 yards of total offense.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want our guys to have fun out there,\u201d Sumrall said of the offensive performance. \u201cWhen you\u2019re growing up as a kid, you never said, \u2018I want to go work football today.\u2019 You always said, \u2018I want to go play football today.\u2019 Now that doesn\u2019t mean it doesn\u2019t take hard work, but the work should be fun, competing is fun and making plays is fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

Faulkner came to Gainesville after constructing one of America\u2019s most productive offenses at Georgia Tech, which averaged 460 yards per game last season. Two nights before his Florida debut, we received an interesting little reminder of Faulkner\u2019s value when Georgia Tech, now operating without him, managed just 13 points in a 14-13 upset loss to what is expected to be a bad Colorado team.<\/p>\n

Coincidence?<\/p>\n

Maybe.<\/p>\n

But after four years when Florida\u2019s offense too often resembled a three-hour hostage negotiation, Gator fans aren\u2019t going to apologize for enjoying competence.<\/p>\n

There was even a new symbol on Florida Field for this new era: the XRP cryptocurrency logo, plastered on each 25-yard line as part of Florida\u2019s multiyear partnership with Ripple (no, not that deliciously cheap sweet wine of yesteryear) The agreement is reportedly worth $5 million annually.<\/p>\n

Only in modern college football could a university celebrate tradition by putting cryptocurrency logos on Steve Spurrier-Florida Field. Then again, considering Florida\u2019s upcoming $1.45 billion stadium renovation and the escalating cost of big-time college athletics, maybe the Gators ought to paint a Venmo QR code in the end zone, too.<\/p>\n

Whatever it takes.<\/p>\n

Florida is betting enormous money on the football program becoming nationally relevant again, and Saturday night was the first installment.<\/p>\n

And perhaps Gator Nation should also send Lane Kiffin a thank-you card.<\/p>\n

Remember when Florida fans were devastated because Kiffin chose LSU and the Gators ended up with Sumrall? Suddenly, that rejection is looking increasingly like the football equivalent of being stood up at the altar and later discovering your runaway bride was wanted in three states.<\/p>\n

Kiffin has quickly become college football\u2019s chief agent of chaos. His attempt at LSU to add two of his former Ole Miss players after their brief NFL stints has helped ignite an extraordinary legal battle involving LSU, the SEC, a state judge and a federal court. The SEC actually sued LSU and Kiffin over the issue, and LSU ultimately left both players off its opening-game roster Saturday.<\/p>\n

Florida wanted the Lane Train.<\/p>\n

Maybe it dodged the Lane Lawsuit.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Sumrall has spent his first nine months selling something considerably less complicated: toughness, enthusiasm, accountability and belief. Of course, beating Florida Atlantic proves almost nothing about whether Sumrall will ultimately succeed.<\/p>\n

The SEC is coming.<\/p>\n

Georgia is coming.<\/p>\n

There will be Saturdays when motivational speeches won\u2019t matter, the offense won\u2019t hum and Florida will have to beat teams with just as much talent; if not more.<\/p>\n

Sumrall knows that.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step,\u201d he said. \u201cThis was step one.\u201d<\/p>\n

In other words, Saturday night wasn\u2019t really about proving Florida is back.<\/p>\n

It was about proving Florida could feel alive again.<\/p>\n

For four years, Gator Nation kept waiting for Napier\u2019s process to produce something resembling progress. Instead, the program became increasingly joyless, predictable and irrelevant.<\/p>\n

Saturday night, the Swamp shook again.<\/p>\n

\"Florida<\/p>\n

Florida running back Jadan Baugh (13) flies into the endzone for a touchdown over FAU cornerback JK Johnson (23) during the Florida Atlantic University at University of Florida football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday, September 5, 2026. At left is Florida wide receiver Micah Mays Jr. (5). (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Florida<\/p>\n

Florida head coach Jon Sumrall celebrates with his family after winning the Florida Atlantic University at University of Florida football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday, September 5, 2026. Florida won 66-21. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Florida<\/p>\n

Florida quarterback Aaron Philo (12) runs for a touchdown during the Florida Atlantic University at University of Florida football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday, September 5, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Florida<\/p>\n

Florida running back Jadan Baugh (13) leaps into the endzone for a touchdown over FAU safety Damon Allen (0) during the Florida Atlantic University at University of Florida football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday, September 5, 2026. At left is Florida wide receiver Micah Mays Jr. (5). (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Florida<\/p>\n

Florida players enter the field for the Florida Atlantic University at University of Florida football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday, September 5, 2026. Florida won 66-21. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Florida<\/p>\n

Florida players Dylan Purter (30) and Javion Toobs (37) celebrate during the Florida Atlantic University at University of Florida football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday, September 5, 2026. Florida won 66-21. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Florida<\/p>\n

Florida quarterback Aaron Philo (12) leaps from defenders during the Florida Atlantic University at University of Florida football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday, September 5, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Smoke<\/p>\n

Smoke fills the air before the Florida Atlantic University at University of Florida football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday, September 5, 2026. Florida won 66-21. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Florida<\/p>\n

Florida head coach Jon Sumrall yells during the Florida Atlantic University at University of Florida football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday, September 5, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Florida<\/p>\n

Florida wide receier Bailey Stockton (3) celebrates after a touchdown during the Florida Atlantic University at University of Florida football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday, September 5, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Firewaorks<\/p>\n

Firewaorks explode during the Florida Atlantic University at University of Florida football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday, September 5, 2026. Florida won 66-21. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Florida<\/p>\n

Florida quarterback Aaron Philo (12) celebrates with teammates after running for a touchdown during the Florida Atlantic University at University of Florida football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday, September 5, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A drone show displays images during the Florida Atlantic University at University of Florida football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday, September 5, 2026. Florida won 66-21. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Florida<\/p>\n

Florida running back Jadan Baugh screams in celebration after a touchdown during the Florida Atlantic University at University of Florida football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday, September 5, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"UF<\/p>\n

UF receiver Vernell Brown III’s touchdown got the Gators off and running Saturday night in their season opener, a 66-21 victory over FSU at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville. The game marked Jon Sumrall’s much-anticipated debut as Florida coach. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Florida<\/p>\n

Florida wide receiver Vernell Brown III leaps into the endzone for a touchdown during the Florida Atlantic University at University of Florida football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday, September 5, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A drone show displays images during the Florida Atlantic University at University of Florida football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday, September 5, 2026. Florida won 66-21. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Florida<\/p>\n

Florida head coach Jon Sumrall leads his team onto the field for the Florida Atlantic University at University of Florida football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday, September 5, 2026. Florida won 66-21. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Florida<\/p>\n

Florida head coach Jon Sumrall shares a moment with FAU quarterback Caden Veltkamp after Florida won the Florida Atlantic University at University of Florida football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday, September 5, 2026. Florida won 66-21. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Florida<\/p>\n

Florida wide receiver Vernell Brown III celebrates during the Florida Atlantic University at University of Florida football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday, September 5, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Jon<\/p>\n

Jon Sumrall’s first game as UF coach was everything Gators fans hoped for and a glimpse into what might be a return to relevance for Florida football. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Florida<\/p>\n

Florida running back Jadan Baugh celebrates during the Florida Atlantic University at University of Florida football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday, September 5, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The field is pictured during the Florida Atlantic University at University of Florida football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday, September 5, 2026. Florida won 66-21. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Florida<\/p>\n

Florida wide receiver TJ Abrams (4) catches a pass over FAU defensive back Ahlston Ware (24) during the Florida Atlantic University at University of Florida football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday, September 5, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Florida<\/p>\n

Florida head coach Jon Sumrall gets in a word with players during the Florida Atlantic University at University of Florida football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday, September 5, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Florida<\/p>\n

Florida fans cheer during the Florida Atlantic University at University of Florida football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday, September 5, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Florida<\/p>\n

Florida wide receiver TJ Abrams celebrates during the Florida Atlantic University at University of Florida football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday, September 5, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Florida<\/p>\n

Florida head coach Jon Sumrall converses with game official Adam Loudin (left) during the Florida Atlantic University at University of Florida football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday, September 5, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Florida<\/p>\n

Florida quarterback Aaron Philo (12) yells during the Florida Atlantic University at University of Florida football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday, September 5, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Florida<\/p>\n

Florida running back Jadan Baugh runs during the Florida Atlantic University at University of Florida football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday, September 5, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Florida<\/p>\n

Florida running back Jadan Baugh (13) leaps for the endzone during the Florida Atlantic University at University of Florida football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday, September 5, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Florida<\/p>\n

Florida quarterback Aaron Philo (12) runs for a touchdown past FAU defensive back JK Johnson (23) as Florida running back Jadan Baugh (13) celebrates in the background during the Florida Atlantic University at University of Florida football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday, September 5, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The FAU mascot dances on the sidelines before the Florida Atlantic University at University of Florida football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday, September 5, 2026. Florida won 66-21. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Florida<\/p>\n

Florida quarterback Aaron Philo (12) celebrates after running for a touchdown during the Florida Atlantic University at University of Florida football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday, September 5, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Florida<\/p>\n

Florida quarterback Aaron Philo (12) celebrates after running for a touchdown during the Florida Atlantic University at University of Florida football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday, September 5, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"FAU<\/p>\n

FAU quarterback Caden Veltkamp (10) chases his own fumble in the endzone to secure a touchdown during the Florida Atlantic University at University of Florida football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday, September 5, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Florida<\/p>\n

Florida quarterback Aaron Philo (12) throws during the Florida Atlantic University at University of Florida football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday, September 5, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A drone show displays images during the Florida Atlantic University at University of Florida football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday, September 5, 2026. Florida won 66-21. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Florida<\/p>\n

Florida wide receiver Vernell Brown III (1) is knocked out of bounds by FAU defensive back Damarius McGhee (4) during the Florida Atlantic University at University of Florida football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday, September 5, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A drone show displays images during the Florida Atlantic University at University of Florida football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday, September 5, 2026. Florida won 66-21. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Florida<\/p>\n

Florida quarterback Aaron Philo (12) throws during the Florida Atlantic University at University of Florida football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday, September 5, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Florida<\/p>\n

Florida running back Jadan Baugh (13) dances through the line for a first down during the Florida Atlantic University at University of Florida football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday, September 5, 2026. At left is Florida wide receiver Micah Mays Jr. (5). (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Florida<\/p>\n

Florida running back Jadan Baugh (13) leaps into the endzone for a touchdown over FAU safety Damon Allen (0) during the Florida Atlantic University at University of Florida football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday, September 5, 2026. At left is Florida wide receiver Micah Mays Jr. (5). (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Florida<\/p>\n

Florida cornerback Dijon Johnson (27) celebrates after an interception during the Florida Atlantic University at University of Florida football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday, September 5, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 44<\/p>\n

Florida running back Jadan Baugh (13) flies into the endzone for a touchdown over FAU cornerback JK Johnson (23) during the Florida Atlantic University at University of Florida football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Saturday, September 5, 2026. At left is Florida wide receiver Micah Mays Jr. (5). (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a><\/p>\n

The offense entertained again.<\/p>\n

The fans believed again.<\/p>\n

And the new coach didn\u2019t sound like somebody presenting PowerPoint slides to the board of directors.<\/p>\n

Jon Sumrall\u2019s first victory won\u2019t rank among the most important wins in Florida history, but perhaps it represented something more basic:<\/p>\n

A beginning.<\/p>\n

Gerald Ford\u2019s declaration came after America survived Watergate.<\/p>\n

The Gators merely survived four years of bad, boring football.<\/p>\n

Either way, the message Saturday night sounded pretty much the same:<\/p>\n

The long Napier nightmare is finally over.<\/p>\n

Email me at mbianchi@orlandosentinel.com. Hit me up on social media @BianchiWrites and listen to my radio show \u201cGame On\u201d every weekday from 3 to 6 p.m. on FM 96.9, AM 740 and 969TheGame.com\/listen.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"GAINESVILLE \u2014 \u201cOur long national nightmare is over.\u201d Gerald Ford famously uttered those words in 1974 after Richard…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":391976,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[51538,3009,3341,3111,9625,10712,139,141,140],"class_list":["post-391975","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-orlando","tag-aaron-philo","tag-billy-napier","tag-fau","tag-gators","tag-jadan-baugh","tag-jon-sumrall","tag-orlando","tag-orlando-headlines","tag-orlando-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/391975","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=391975"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/391975\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/391976"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=391975"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=391975"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=391975"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}