Gators start season strong with blowout of FAU. We hand out the grades

The Jon Sumrall era couldn’t have gotten a much better start for the Florida Gators.

For FAU's second-year head coach Zach Kittley, his team were 26.5-point underdogs and are seeking their first winning season in six seasons.

With no shortage of strong performances, Florida football took care of business against Florida Atlantic with a 66-21 victory on Saturday, Sept. 5 in Gainesville.

The 66 points were the most points in the Gators have scored in a season opener since 1994.

UF’s newly named starting quarterback Aaron Philo accounted for three of his four touchdowns by halftime, which helped take a 38-14 lead by the half.

In the first quarter, Philo connected with Vernell Brown III for a 49-yard touchdown and then later Bailey Stockton for a 12-yard touchdown. Kicker Patrick Durkin capped off the quarter with a career-long 53-yard field goal.

FAU got on the board at the start of the second quarter, but the Gators answered quickly as Philo scored easily on a 3-yard run to build a 24-7 lead.

The Owls managed to punch in another score with under seven minutes left in the half, but from there UF’s star running back Jadan Baugh took over the game as he scored twice before the end of the half.

He then eclipsed the 100-yard mark within the first minute of the second half with a 61-yard run to set up his third touchdown of the game.

Brown finished the game with six catches for 117 yards. On defense, DJ Coleman and Dijon Johnson each came down with an interception.

Here’s what happened in the Gators’ win over the Owls.

Florida football vs Florida Score

Grading the Florida Gators' opening win against FAU

The Florida Gators weren't perfect, as Sumrall predicted, but were fairly crisp and efficient in racing to a 38-14 halftime lead. Florida scored 14 points off two first-half turnovers and scored five touchdowns and a field goal on its first six offensive possessions.

Overall, Florida ran up its most points since beating Samford 70-52 on November 13, 2021. It was also the highest for a Florida team in a season opener since UF beat New Mexico State 70-21 under Steve Spurrier to start the 1994 season.

Sumrall, hired from Tulane on November 30, 2025, is trying to establish physical and mental toughness in a UF program that's endured four losing seasons in its last five years.

Here's how UF graded out following its season opening win over the Owls.

Florida football offense: A

Even with starting wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr. sidelined most of the game, Florida's offense put forth a dominant performance. Starting QB Aaron Philo went 16 of 21 for 275 yards with three TDs passing, one TD rushing and an interception that deflected off the hands of receiver Micah Mays Jr.

Philo was pulled late in the third quarter with Florida up 52-21. Preseason All-American running back Jadan Baugh had 14 carries for 160 yards and three TDs as Florida moved up and down the field at will. It was a near flawless debut for Florida football offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner other than a few high snaps by center Harrison Moore.

Florida football defense: B-

The good? Florida football's defense forced three takeaways on interceptions by safety DJ Coleman and cornerback Dijon Johnson and a fumble forced by Brendan Bett and recovered by Myles Johnson.

The bad? The Gators gave up a boatload of yards and had issues at times slowing down FAU's fast-paced passing attack. Florida didn't generate much of a pass rush as well but UF's secondary had a few coverage breakdowns that will need to be fixed moving forward.

Florida football special teams: A

Tulane transfer Patrick Durkin drilled a 53-yard field goal in his UF debut. Florida's punt and kick coverage teams kept FAU from springing any long returns. Backup kicker Liam Padron even got in late to kick the final extra point.

Florida football coaching: B

A fairly good debut for Sumrall as the Gators brought energy and offense back to The Swamp after the moribund Billy Napier era. Florida coaches will need to get to work on shoring up some issues on defense to prepare for the grind of SEC play.

Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun’s Florida beat writer. Contact him at kbrockway@gannett.com. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Gators start season strong with blowout of FAU. We hand out the grades