The Jon Sumrall era began in Gainesville with an offensive explosion that saw Florida football score a 66-21 victory over the FAU Owls in the Swamp. The Gators finished with the most yards gained since 2020 and their point total was the most in a season opener since a 69-0 thrashing of Montana State in 1988.
Sumrall also continued a streak of first-year UF coaches winning their debuts. The last one to lose their first game in Gainesville was Charlie Pell, who began the 1979 campaign with a 14-10 loss to Houston; the Gators did not win a single game that season.
Advertisement
With all 31 new head coaches having wrapped up their first games after Week 1’s action, USA TODAY Sports writer Paul Myerberg ranked them all based on their initial results. Sumrall landed just outside of the top 10 at No. 11 in his rankings.
Advertisement
“The Gators’ energy and aggressiveness led the way to 624 yards of offense, 30 first downs, three takeaways and a 66-21 blowout against Florida Atlantic. Florida looked like a Sumrall-coached team, basically.”
Looking like a “Sumrall-coached team” bodes well for the Orange and Blue, given his track record at his previous two stops, having amassed a 43-12 record between Troy and Tulane over four seasons.
1 / 25
PHOTOS: Highlights from Florida’s season-opening win vs FAU Owls
Sep 5, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators head coach Jon Sumrall runs onto the field before a game against the Florida Atlantic Owls at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
Advertisement
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
1 / 25
PHOTOS: Highlights from Florida’s season-opening win vs FAU Owls
Sep 5, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators head coach Jon Sumrall runs onto the field before a game against the Florida Atlantic Owls at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
2 / 25
Jon Sumrall talks about Florida’s first-half performance vs FAU
Sep 5, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators head coach Jon Sumrall walks on the field before a game against the Florida Atlantic Owls at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
3 / 25
PHOTOS: Highlights from Florida’s season-opening win vs FAU Owls
Sep 5, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators safety DJ Coleman (33) intercepts a pass over Florida Atlantic Owls wide receiver Kelby Valsin (2) during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
4 / 25
Aaron Philo details winning debut as Florida’s starting QB
Sep 5, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Aaron Philo (12) throws the ball against the Florida Atlantic Owls during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
Advertisement
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
5 / 25
PHOTOS: Highlights from Florida’s season-opening win vs FAU Owls
Sep 5, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver Vernell Brown III (1) breaks a tackle from Florida Atlantic Owls defensive back JK Johnson (23) and Florida Atlantic Owls defensive back Damon Allen (0) for a touchdown during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
6 / 25
PHOTOS: Highlights from Florida’s season-opening win vs FAU Owls
Sep 5, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver Vernell Brown III (1) scores a touchdown against the Florida Atlantic Owls during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
7 / 25
PHOTOS: Highlights from Florida’s season-opening win vs FAU Owls
Sep 5, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators running back Jadan Baugh (13) runs with the ball breaking a tackle from Florida Atlantic Owls defensive back Damon Allen (0) during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
8 / 25
PHOTOS: Highlights from Florida’s season-opening win vs FAU Owls
Sep 5, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver Vernell Brown III (1) runs with the ball against the Florida Atlantic Owls during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
Advertisement
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
9 / 25
Live Updates: Florida routing FAU in season opener in the Swamp
Sep 5, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver Bailey Stockton (3) scores a touchdown running past Florida Atlantic Owls cornerback Chris Tooley III (8) during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
10 / 25
PHOTOS: Highlights from Florida’s season-opening win vs FAU Owls
Sep 5, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver Dallas Wilson (6) makes a catch over Florida Atlantic Owls linebacker Leon Hart Jr. (6) during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
11 / 25
PHOTOS: Highlights from Florida’s season-opening win vs FAU Owls
Sep 5, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Atlantic Owls linebacker Leon Hart Jr. (6) tackles Florida Gators wide receiver Dallas Wilson (6) after a catch during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
12 / 25
PHOTOS: Highlights from Florida’s season-opening win vs FAU Owls
Sep 5, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators kicker Patrick Durkin (91) lines up a kick against the Florida Atlantic Owls during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
Advertisement
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
13 / 25
PHOTOS: Highlights from Florida’s season-opening win vs FAU Owls
Sep 5, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators running back Jadan Baugh (13) rushes with the ball against the Florida Atlantic Owls during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
14 / 25
PHOTOS: Highlights from Florida’s season-opening win vs FAU Owls
Sep 5, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators running back Jadan Baugh (13) rushes with the ball for a touchdown against the Florida Atlantic Owls during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
15 / 25
PHOTOS: Highlights from Florida’s season-opening win vs FAU Owls
Sep 5, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators offensive lineman Harrison Moore (52) gestures after a touchdown against the Florida Atlantic Owls during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
16 / 25
PHOTOS: Highlights from Florida’s season-opening win vs FAU Owls
Sep 5, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators running back Jadan Baugh (13) scores a touchdown against the Florida Atlantic Owls during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
Advertisement
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
17 / 25
PHOTOS: Highlights from Florida’s season-opening win vs FAU Owls
Sep 5, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Aaron Philo (12) runs with the ball against the Florida Atlantic Owls during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
18 / 25
PHOTOS: Highlights from Florida’s season-opening win vs FAU Owls
Sep 5, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Atlantic Owls edge Jay Crable (12) tackles Florida Gators quarterback Aaron Philo (12) during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
19 / 25
PHOTOS: Highlights from Florida’s season-opening win vs FAU Owls
Sep 5, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Atlantic Owls wide receiver Branden Hoch (0) makes a catch over Florida Gators star Kanye Clark (20) during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
20 / 25
PHOTOS: Highlights from Florida’s season-opening win vs FAU Owls
Sep 5, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators cornerback Cormani McClain (25) looks at Florida Atlantic Owls wide receiver Dominique Henry (9) before the snap during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
Advertisement
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
21 / 25
PHOTOS: Highlights from Florida’s season-opening win vs FAU Owls
Sep 5, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators kicker Patrick Durkin (91) kicks off against the Florida Atlantic Owls during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
22 / 25
Jadan Baugh’s stellar effort earns him offensive player of the game
Sep 5, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators running back Jadan Baugh (13) runs with the ball against the Florida Atlantic Owls during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
23 / 25
PHOTOS: Highlights from Florida’s season-opening win vs FAU Owls
Sep 5, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Aaron Philo (12) jumps for an errant hike against the Florida Atlantic Owls during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
24 / 25
PHOTOS: Highlights from Florida’s season-opening win vs FAU Owls
Sep 5, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver TJ Abrams (4) makes a catch over Florida Atlantic Owls defensive back Ahlston Ware (24) during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
Advertisement
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
25 / 25
PHOTOS: Highlights from Florida’s season-opening win vs FAU Owls
Sep 5, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; A drone show during halftime during a game between the Florida Gators and Florida Atlantic Owls at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Just below Sumrall in the rankings at No. 12 is former Gators skipper Billy Napier, who took over the sideline duties for the James Madison Dukes this season. While he started with a W at his new gig, there appears to still be some room for improvement.
Advertisement
“JMU wasn’t too great on offense but still managed to pull out a 20-13 win against Liberty. The Dukes will need to get more scoring on the board to repeat atop the Sun Belt.”
Advertisement
The rankings were headlined by Lane Kiffin, whose LSU Tigers thoroughly humiliated Clemson on Saturday, followed by Bob Chesney with UCLA, Jim Mora with Colorado State, Charles Huff with Memphis and Pete Golding with Ole Miss, respectively.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login