VB3 has Kadarius Toney vibes, sloppiness upsets Sumrall | Things we learned
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GAINESVILLE — The Gators coasted past Campbell 52-3 Saturday night in the Swamp, but they didn’t dominate like coach Jon Sumrall would have liked to have seen.
Florida will enter SEC play Saturday at Auburn following another one-sided performance, this one with as many glaring flaws as big plays.
Here are five things learned:
VB3 has Kadarius Toney vibes
Vernell Brown III was at Wildwood Middle School when Kadarius Toney put together an All-SEC season for the 2020 Gators. But Brown kept a close eye on Toney since Vernell Brown Jr. was the program’s senior director of student-athlete development.
“He was my favorite player when he was here,” Brown III recalled Saturday night. “He’s one of the players whose highlights I still watch to this day.”
Brown was a human highlight reel himself during three-touchdown night reminiscent of Toney, the last Florida receiver to score three times in a game.
Brown scored on electric returns of 64 and 70 yards on consecutive possessions, matching a feat last performed by former All-American Jacquez Green in 1996 while becoming the first Gator since Toney with a punt-return touchdown.
Brown’s 14-yard score on a shovel pass from Aaron Philo gave him the first hat trick since Toney’s three-TD night against Missouri on Halloween night six years ago.
“Great player, great company to be in,” said Brown, who totaled a career-high 216 all-purpose yards, including 179 on returns.
The 5-foot-11, 178-pound sophomore didn’t reach the end zone in 2025 during a strong freshman debut. With four scores in two games, Brown is on his way to a special season.
Against Campbell, he turned a 10-3 game into a runaway and woke up a reported crowd of 88,863.
“You heard it in The Swamp,” junior edge rusher LJ McCray said. “The team feeds off of that. It’s important.”
Where’s Florida formidable defensive front?
Expected to spearhead a much-improved defense, the Gators’ defensive line has been inconsistent, if not disappointing.
Sophomore edge rusher Jayden Woods has yet to take over against overmatched competition, registering just a half-sack in two games. Senior Kam James, an Orlando native returning from offseason shoulder season, has two tackles for loss, including a sack, but has done little else.
Sophomore Jeremiah McCloud has shined, recording 12 tackles, two pass break-ups and two hurries, while fellow tackle Brendan Bett has been solid.
Jacksonville State transfer Emmaneul Oyebadejo played as well as any defender against FAU, but the 6-foot-6, 303-pound senior sat out against Campbell with an injury.
The Gators’ front needs to come together and solidify the defense as SEC play begins.
Sloppiness upsets Sumrall
The Gators had as many penalties as points during the second half, a troubling sign entering conference play.
Florida drew seven flags for 75 yards after drawing one penalty for 10 yards during the first half. A week earlier, the Gators committed just three penalites for 32 yards in a 66-21 win against FAU.
“We were way too sloppy,” Sumrall said. “If we play like we did in the second half, we’re about to have a real rude awakening.”
Officials flagged right guard TJ Shanahan on consecutive possessions on the opening drive second half. The Penn Statre transfer guard followed a holding call that erased a 42-yard run by Jadan Baugh with an unnecessary roughness penalty, leading coaches to pull him from the game.
On the next series, officials flagged backup guard Rod Kearney with unnecessary roughness, though Sumrall said the call was questionable.
“The guy is playing through the echo of the whistle,” he said. “He didn’t know when the play was over.”
Whatever the case, Florida will need to clean up its act before visiting Auburn.
“You get to conference play, you’re in first and 25, I might as well get the punt team ready most of the time,” Sumrall said.
Sumrall isn’t satisfied.
Dominating two overmatched opponents is fun for fans and players, but can also give a false sense of security.
Lopsided scores haven’t masked sporadic execution. A repeat performance could deliver comeuppance at Auburn.
“I’m a little uneasy with where we are,” Sumrall said. “I think you can win games in the fashion we’ve won them in. It feel guys for everybody. But if we are not really urgent and detailed in our preparation, the outcome next Saturday will not be what we desire.”
Enough with the FCS opponents.
Campbell received $525,000 to serve as the Gators’ final tune-up and punching bag.
The payday helps the Camels balance their books and was a discount for Florida after the school paid FAU $1.2 million a week earlier. The price difference is the going rate of a good SEC lineman, but for fans, Saturday’s game was a disservice, especially those traveling long distances for one of six chances to watch the 2026 Gators at home.
Some fans left at halftime, with Florida leading 45-3. Once Tom Petty’s “Won’t back down” played at the end of every third quarter, the Swamp became a ghost town.
With nine SEC games and Florida State on the annual slate, Florida wants to avoid loading up the schedule. Plenty of top programs, including reigning national champion Indiana, cruise through nonconference play without breaking a sweat.
If nothing else, play lesser FBS foes with regional, and preferably in-state, appeal like FAU. Someone might catch Sumrall’s eye who wants to play close to home the following season.
As it stands, opponents like Campbell offer little in return.
One benefit is 80 Gators saw action, some the only time they will all season. Good feelings weren’t necessarily a good thing.
“Some guys proved maybe in the second half, you get an opportunity to prove people right or wrong, some guys proved us right why they’re not playing right now,” Sumrall said.
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
Up next …
UF (2-0) at Auburn (2-0)
When: 7 p.m., Saturday
Where:Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, Alabama
TV: ESPN
Favorite: Florida by 2.5 points
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