Receiver Vernell Brown III raced to the end zone Saturday for his first career touchdown at Florida. (Photo: Audrey Djuricich/UAA Communications)
No. 1 for No. 1 — VBIII Finally Found End Zone in Opener
Monday, September 7, 2026 | Football
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A lot of firsts took place at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday night.
First game, first win, first catch, first interception, first touchdown.
But perhaps no first in Florida's 66-21 victory over FAU had been longer in the making than the one on the Gators' first offensive drive.
Quarterback Aaron Philo dropped back near midfield, looked right and fired a screen pass to Vernell Brown III behind the line of scrimmage.
Once Brown secured the ball, there was little hesitation.
Following a key block from wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr., Brown darted toward the end zone, making defenders miss as he cut in left before swerving back right. Forty-nine yards later, he crossed the goal line for the first touchdown of Florida's season – and the first of his college career.
The score was long overdue.
Brown led the Gators in receiving last season, finishing with 40 catches for 512 yards. But despite playing 428 snaps, he never found the end zone.
It took him only seven snaps in 2026.
"I was kidding around with him all offseason,'' Gators head coach Jon Sumrall said. "I'm like, 'You know you still haven't scored here. Everybody thinks you're this big-time player. We gotta see you score touchdowns.' "
Brown's new quarterback made the right read and helped No. 1 get No. 1.
"It was awesome," Philo said. "The nickel fired. I knew I had a chance to spit it out there to VB. That's what I talk about all the time. You get the ball to those guys in space and let them go make the plays."
Brown did much more than score.
He finished with a game-high six catches for 117 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed once for 14 yards — matching his rushing total from last season — and returned to the field as a deep punt returner, though he did not have an opportunity to return one.
"But to see him make the plays he made tonight, he had a couple big plays," Sumrall said. "Unbelievable worker. So, not surprised, but he competes his tail off and prepares the right way."
But the wait for his first touchdown as a Gator did not just span a year. For Brown, it stretched across a lifetime and generations.
His father, Vernell Brown Jr., played for the Gators from 2001-2005, and before him, his grandfather played for the Gators from 1982-1985.
For the hometown kid, looking to follow in his family's footsteps, his first touchdown in Orange & Blue carried added meaning.
But Brown's value to the program extends beyond the plays he makes with the football.
"Happy for his success because he is one of the best leaders for a young player I've ever been around," Sumrall said. "I mean, he's a second-year player, true sophomore, and he's a phenomenal leader and a great teammate."
A new number. A new coach. A new quarterback. A new season.
Amid all the change, Brown finally has his first touchdown as a Gator.
And it probably won't be his last.
First game, first win, first catch, first interception, first touchdown.
But perhaps no first in Florida's 66-21 victory over FAU had been longer in the making than the one on the Gators' first offensive drive.
Quarterback Aaron Philo dropped back near midfield, looked right and fired a screen pass to Vernell Brown III behind the line of scrimmage.
Once Brown secured the ball, there was little hesitation.
Following a key block from wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr., Brown darted toward the end zone, making defenders miss as he cut in left before swerving back right. Forty-nine yards later, he crossed the goal line for the first touchdown of Florida's season – and the first of his college career.
First TD of the season, courtesy of number 1️⃣ pic.twitter.com/N6CxWt0w7g
— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) September 6, 2026
The score was long overdue.
Brown led the Gators in receiving last season, finishing with 40 catches for 512 yards. But despite playing 428 snaps, he never found the end zone.
It took him only seven snaps in 2026.
"I was kidding around with him all offseason,'' Gators head coach Jon Sumrall said. "I'm like, 'You know you still haven't scored here. Everybody thinks you're this big-time player. We gotta see you score touchdowns.' "
Brown's new quarterback made the right read and helped No. 1 get No. 1.
"It was awesome," Philo said. "The nickel fired. I knew I had a chance to spit it out there to VB. That's what I talk about all the time. You get the ball to those guys in space and let them go make the plays."
Brown did much more than score.
He finished with a game-high six catches for 117 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed once for 14 yards — matching his rushing total from last season — and returned to the field as a deep punt returner, though he did not have an opportunity to return one.
"But to see him make the plays he made tonight, he had a couple big plays," Sumrall said. "Unbelievable worker. So, not surprised, but he competes his tail off and prepares the right way."
But the wait for his first touchdown as a Gator did not just span a year. For Brown, it stretched across a lifetime and generations.
His father, Vernell Brown Jr., played for the Gators from 2001-2005, and before him, his grandfather played for the Gators from 1982-1985.
For the hometown kid, looking to follow in his family's footsteps, his first touchdown in Orange & Blue carried added meaning.
But Brown's value to the program extends beyond the plays he makes with the football.
"Happy for his success because he is one of the best leaders for a young player I've ever been around," Sumrall said. "I mean, he's a second-year player, true sophomore, and he's a phenomenal leader and a great teammate."
A new number. A new coach. A new quarterback. A new season.
Amid all the change, Brown finally has his first touchdown as a Gator.
And it probably won't be his last.
Players Mentioned
Saturday, September 05
Saturday, September 05
Saturday, September 05
Saturday, September 05
