The Gators host Campbell on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, their final tune-up before next week's trip to Auburn. (Photo: Ethan Caruso/UAA Communications)
Game Day: Florida vs Campbell (Saturday, 5:30 pm)
Saturday, September 12, 2026 | Football, Chris Harry
Share:
By: Chris Harry, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – They opened the 2026 season (and latest new coaching era) against a Group of Six conference opponent last week. The Florida Gators put on a good show in a 66-21 blowout defeat of Florida Atlantic.
They'll start the rugged Southeastern Conference schedule next week with a huge road date at Auburn that will serve as a barometer if where the program sits in the league pecking order, but also create an early narrative for the rest of Coach Jon Sumrall's first season. In other words, a big, big game.
But first, the Gators (1-0) have a so-called "buy" contest sandwiched in between Saturday against the FCS-classified Campbell Fighting Camels (2-0), out of the Coastal Athletic Association, in what will be the 20th consecutive sellout at Spurrier/Florida Field.
Call it a "hump" game.
[Read senior writer Scott Carter's comprehensive "Opening Kickoff setup here]
Make no mistake, though, for Sumrall and his first Florida squad this one has plenty of significance and will be about addressing the kind of miscues that reared themselves during a feel-good season-opening victory.
Yes, UF piled up 624 yards of offense, with a nice balance of 343 passing to 281 on the ground, and never punted. Defensively, however, the Gators surrendered nearly 400 yards, with Sumrall – though pleased with the overall effort – taking a disappointed note at how some of his players positioned themselves in certain situations relative to down-and-distance, as well as how the unit handled FAU's rapid-fire tempo.
So, some clean-ups on Aisles 4 and 5, as they say, are in order.
The Camels also play fast. They boast the No. 8 offense in FCS and, like FAU, a solid passing game that rates fourth nationally. In defeating East Tennessee State 49-37 and 24th-ranked Western Carolina 28-19, they are averaging 521 yards per game, with splits of 336.5 through the air and 184.5 on the ground. Their quarterback, Kamden Sixkiller, has thrown for 673 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions, while rushing for a team-best 114 yards and three scores. Boomer generation football fans might recognize the last name, as Sixkiller is a distant cousin of Sonny Sixkiller, who 55 years ago was a Sports Illustrated cover boy quarterback of Cherokee descent at the University of Washington and had a cameo role in the original "The Longest Yard" with Burt Reynolds.
Sonny Sixkiller on Sports Illustrated on Oct. 4, 1971
Campbell QB Kamden Sixkiller
This Sixkiller's prime target is wide receiver Spencer Jones (11 catches, 175 yards, 1 TD), who is averaging nearly 16 yards per catch.
Florida wants to adjust those numbers with some power conference defense, but through Week 1 the Gators rest in a tie for 93rd in FBS on that side of the ball. Sumrall wants those numbers adjusted, too.
UF quarterback Aaron Philo had an impressive orange-and-blue debut after transferring from Georgia Tech alongside offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner. Philo, the third-year sophomore, completed 16 of 21 attempts for 275 yards, three touchdowns and one interception that came off a tipped pass. He also rushed six times for 22 yards and a score.
The ground game, though, belonged to tailback Jadan Baugh, who rumbled for 160 yards and three TDs on just 14 carries. Defensively, the Camels are allowing an average of just 78.0 yards on the ground, but they've not seen the likes of Baugh.
And, frankly, Campbell has not seen the likes of a UF offense blessed with an array of skill-position players. The Camels are giving up 427.5 yards per game (that's 83rd in FCS); they yield 349.5 through the air (that's 114th in lower-level Division I).
At Campbell, the motto is "Roll Humps." For the Gators, the plan is "Roll the Humps." Roll 'em and roll into SEC play with some momentum and confidence.
There is no live television broadcast of the game, but streaming coverage will start at 5:30 p.m. on SEC Network+, with Tom Emrich on play-by-play and Fozzy Whitaker providing analysis. The Gators Sports Network broadcast will air with pregame coverage beginning at 2:30 p.m. and eventually give way to Sean Kelly, Shane Matthews and Tate Casey on the call. For GSN stations, click here.
Follow senior writer Scott Carter (@GatorsScott) for commentary and analysis throughout the game. FloridaGators.com will have complete post-game coverage from the game late Saturday night and follow-up content Sunday as well.
