Running back Duke Clark rushed for a career-high 126 yards to help the Gators run away from Ole Miss on Saturday. (Photo: Hannah White/UAA Communications)
Baugh And Clark: Running Mates
Saturday, September 26, 2026 | Football
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By: Ryan Roddy, FloridaGators.com Student Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Duke Clark stood to the side of the team meeting room, on the steps leading to the locker room, surrounded by a handful of reporters for his media availability.
Then an honorary reporter walked up and asked a question.
"How did it feel just going out there and playing your butt off today?"
"Felt great, running behind you, Jadan Baugh," Clark answered.
Baugh and Clark came up big in the Gators' rout of No. 4 Ole Miss Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
Together, they totaled 268 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. Baugh rushed 29 times for 142 yards and three touchdowns, while Clark carried 12 times for 126 yards and one score. The pair became the first UF teammates to each run for 100 or more yards in the same game since Trevor Etienne and Montrell Johnson Jr. in 2022.
Quarterback Aaron Philo and running back Jadan Baugh share a celebratory moment in Saturday's win over Ole Miss at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. (Photo: Hannah White/UAA Communications)
"But two 100-yard rushers, big deal," head coach Jon Sumrall said. "I mean Jadan and Duke; I thought Duke played out of his mind. He's got all the ability in the world. He can be as good as he chooses to be."
After Sumrall broke his headset in the third quarter by spiking it into the sideline grass over what he thought was a questionable non-call, Clark rushed 45 yards down the sideline for a touchdown.
The score came at a favorable time, not only because he improved his coach's mood, but because he put life back into the crowd at The Swamp a drive after the Rebels cut Florida's lead to three. Clark didn't see Sumrall almost running stride for stride with him down the sideline but did credit his blockers.
Clark later broke off another big run, of 44 yards, in the fourth quarter to help put away Ole Miss.
A lot is made of Baugh, who rushed for 100 yards for a fifth consecutive game dating back to last season vs. FSU, becoming the third Gator ever to do so, joining Fred Taylor and Emmitt Smith. But Clark has added a nice complement.
And there isn't any jealousy between the two; they are actually really close.
"We love to see each other be successful," Clark said. "I cheer him on; he cheers me on."
Clark also mentioned that he and Baugh stay together in the team hotel before games.
Baugh, who is a class older than Clark, looked for him in the crowd when it was his turn at the podium, but Clark didn't return the favor by asking a question. Instead, someone asked what it's like mentoring the sophomore.
"That's my little brother. He is hardheaded. Where he at? He's so hardheaded right there," Baugh said. "But Duke keeps his head down, and it don't matter what comes at him, no matter what obstacles he has in front of him, he's gonna overcome it. I love that about him.
"So, each and every week, I just try to keep his head and focus on just stay where your feet are. If you can't stay where your feet are, it's gonna be hard. But Duke took the mentoring in, and he's just displaying his talent each and every week, and I can't wait to see what he does next week."
So far in 2026, Clark has collected 259 yards on the ground and three touchdowns, while picking up another in the air to go along with Baugh's 600 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns.
Quarterback Aaron Philo added a rushing touchdown in Saturday's 52-28 win over the Rebels and said his job was made easier because of the Gators' successful rushing attack. He has noticed the pair's connection and said the two of them, like the entire running back room and the offense overall, are super close.
"They definitely have a great bond," Philo said of Baugh and Clark. "Those guys are two peas in a pod. They're always hanging out together. They're being goofballs together sometimes. And so, it's just cool to see their bond."
With the win on Saturday, Florida matched its win total from a season ago and moved to 4-0 (2-0 SEC).
Based on the offense's trajectory and the results, the two peas in a pod don't appear to be slowing down anytime soon.
