Receivers Dallas Wilson, left, and Vernell Brown III played key roles in Florida's offensive outburst at Auburn on Saturday night. (Photo: Anthony Garro/UAA Communications)
Gators' Offense Responded To Challenge At Auburn
Sunday, September 20, 2026 | Football
AUBURN, Ala. — The packed sidewalks and parking lots around campus here Saturday told the pregame story.
Southeastern Conference play had arrived. So did the first real test for Florida's offense under head coach Jon Sumrall.
The Gators responded with a 44-39 victory over Auburn in front of a packed Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday night.
"I had no doubt how we were going to play on offense," Sumrall said. "Offensively, I knew we were going to run the ball on them; I knew we were going to throw the ball on them."
The Gators produced 495 yards of total offense in their first SEC road victory since 2024: 252 passing, 243 rushing. They were 3-for-3 on fourth down and 5-for-5 in the red zone.
Facing its first Power Four opponent of the season, Florida led 20-17 at halftime. The Gators came out with conviction in the second half, needing only three plays to march 75 yards and set the tone for the rest of the game.
On the first play of the second half, quarterback Aaron Philo connected with Vernell Brown III for a 37-yard completion. After going back to Brown for a 5-yard pass, tailback Jadan Baugh broke free and dashed down the left sideline for a 33-yard score.
The quick strike put the Gators in charge and quieted the sold-out crowd.
"I do think that was the really the game-deciding, if you will, swing back and forth with like how we came out of the locker room," Sumrall said.
Throughout the game, offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner used different packages, formations and personnel to keep the Tigers' defense on its toes. He even installed a double-pass play that resulted in a 48-yard gain, from the arm of wide receiver Kahleil Jackson to tight end Amir Jackson.
Besides an early pass that was mishandled by Jadan Baugh and intercepted – leading to an Auburn field goal in the first quarter – the Gators scored on seven of their first eight drives: five touchdowns and two field goals. They finally punted on their first drive of the fourth quarter, but Patrick Durkin booted his third field on UF's next drive, putting UF ahead 44-32. The Gators ran out the clock on their final drive after Auburn cut the lead to five with 2:29 remaining.
Even with the slip-up in the first quarter, Baugh had another dominating performance with his fourth consecutive 100-yard game dating to last season.
"Jadan Baugh did a great job responding," Sumrall said. "That's a really unfortunate play, should have caught the ball."
Baugh finished with 162 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 26 attempts. He had a long run of 53 yards, which came on a fourth-and-1 late in the third quarter. Baugh's score gave the Gators a 41-24 lead.
"Another day in the office," Baugh said. "We just got a lot more to work on."
With his three touchdowns on Saturday, Baugh now has eight rushing scores on the season, needing only three games to match his total from a season ago.
Sophomore running back Duke Clark was also used early in the Gators' offense. He helped establish the run game and ran in a 20-yard touchdown in the second quarter. He totaled seven carries for 50 yards to go along with the score.
The passing attack may have only accounted for one touchdown, a 20-yard Dallas Wilson catch, but Philo was crucial in the victory. Florida had six passing plays that resulted in 15 or more yards.
In his first SEC start and road start, Philo was 15 of 22 (68%) for 204 yards with a touchdown and interception as the Gators won at Auburn for the first time since 1999.
"All we need is us," Philo said. "We just need the people in that locker room. And that's who came with us today. And we got the job done."
Brown caught five passes for 86 yards and Wilson caught four passes for 74 yards and the touchdown.
"Honestly, they played their butts off, blocking on the perimeter, getting downfield, getting open downfield," Philo said. "Super proud of those guys."
Florida entered Saturday having scored 118 points against FAU and Campbell, but Auburn provided the first opportunity to see whether that production would translate against an SEC opponent.
After producing 495 yards, 44 points and eight scoring drives against the Tigers, the Gators delivered their answer.
Southeastern Conference play had arrived. So did the first real test for Florida's offense under head coach Jon Sumrall.
The Gators responded with a 44-39 victory over Auburn in front of a packed Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday night.
"I had no doubt how we were going to play on offense," Sumrall said. "Offensively, I knew we were going to run the ball on them; I knew we were going to throw the ball on them."
The Gators produced 495 yards of total offense in their first SEC road victory since 2024: 252 passing, 243 rushing. They were 3-for-3 on fourth down and 5-for-5 in the red zone.
Facing its first Power Four opponent of the season, Florida led 20-17 at halftime. The Gators came out with conviction in the second half, needing only three plays to march 75 yards and set the tone for the rest of the game.
On the first play of the second half, quarterback Aaron Philo connected with Vernell Brown III for a 37-yard completion. After going back to Brown for a 5-yard pass, tailback Jadan Baugh broke free and dashed down the left sideline for a 33-yard score.
These guys > pic.twitter.com/YYTftKI8eM
— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) September 20, 2026
The quick strike put the Gators in charge and quieted the sold-out crowd.
"I do think that was the really the game-deciding, if you will, swing back and forth with like how we came out of the locker room," Sumrall said.
Throughout the game, offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner used different packages, formations and personnel to keep the Tigers' defense on its toes. He even installed a double-pass play that resulted in a 48-yard gain, from the arm of wide receiver Kahleil Jackson to tight end Amir Jackson.
Besides an early pass that was mishandled by Jadan Baugh and intercepted – leading to an Auburn field goal in the first quarter – the Gators scored on seven of their first eight drives: five touchdowns and two field goals. They finally punted on their first drive of the fourth quarter, but Patrick Durkin booted his third field on UF's next drive, putting UF ahead 44-32. The Gators ran out the clock on their final drive after Auburn cut the lead to five with 2:29 remaining.
Even with the slip-up in the first quarter, Baugh had another dominating performance with his fourth consecutive 100-yard game dating to last season.
"Jadan Baugh did a great job responding," Sumrall said. "That's a really unfortunate play, should have caught the ball."
Baugh finished with 162 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 26 attempts. He had a long run of 53 yards, which came on a fourth-and-1 late in the third quarter. Baugh's score gave the Gators a 41-24 lead.
"Another day in the office," Baugh said. "We just got a lot more to work on."
With his three touchdowns on Saturday, Baugh now has eight rushing scores on the season, needing only three games to match his total from a season ago.
Sophomore running back Duke Clark was also used early in the Gators' offense. He helped establish the run game and ran in a 20-yard touchdown in the second quarter. He totaled seven carries for 50 yards to go along with the score.
The passing attack may have only accounted for one touchdown, a 20-yard Dallas Wilson catch, but Philo was crucial in the victory. Florida had six passing plays that resulted in 15 or more yards.
Dallas Wilson wide open for SIX‼️
— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) September 20, 2026
34-17 Gators pic.twitter.com/DnuxRCdZ7Y
In his first SEC start and road start, Philo was 15 of 22 (68%) for 204 yards with a touchdown and interception as the Gators won at Auburn for the first time since 1999.
"All we need is us," Philo said. "We just need the people in that locker room. And that's who came with us today. And we got the job done."
Brown caught five passes for 86 yards and Wilson caught four passes for 74 yards and the touchdown.
"Honestly, they played their butts off, blocking on the perimeter, getting downfield, getting open downfield," Philo said. "Super proud of those guys."
Florida entered Saturday having scored 118 points against FAU and Campbell, but Auburn provided the first opportunity to see whether that production would translate against an SEC opponent.
After producing 495 yards, 44 points and eight scoring drives against the Tigers, the Gators delivered their answer.
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