Florida opens season with a 66-21 victory over Florida Atlantic

In his debut as head coach, Jon Sumrall led Florida to a 66-21 win against Florida Atlantic in Gainesville. The Gators offense, led by running back Jadan Baugh, dominated the matchup with an explosive performance. Baugh accounted for 160 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 14 carries, while receiver Vernell Brown III contributed a career-high 117 receiving yards and his first collegiate touchdown. Despite the offensive production, Sumrall characterized the defensive effort as inconsistent, particularly during a stretch where Florida Atlantic narrowed the deficit to 24-14. A capacity crowd attended the game at The Swamp, marking a significant turnout for the start of the new coaching tenure. Florida looks to address its early defensive lapses while continuing to utilize Baugh as a primary offensive weapon.

• 6:47 PMYahoo Sports — Jadan Baugh a force for Gators and more from Sumrall’s debut | Things we learned