The Jon Sumrall era is alive and well.
Florida (3-0, 1-0 SEC) opened conference play Saturday with a close 44-39 win against Auburn (2-1, 0-1 SEC) in Jordan-Hare Stadium. The victory marked Sumrall’s first Southeastern Conference win as a head coach and Florida’s first road win over Auburn since 1999.
Junior running back Jadan Baugh carried the offense with three touchdowns and 162 rushing yards, while a defense that forced two first-half interceptions and racked up seven sacks on Byrum Brown did just enough to hold off a persistent Tigers comeback. Neither team led by more than 10 points for good until the final minutes, as the two sides traded big plays from start to finish.
Florida kicked off the game strong within the first minute when Cormani McClain intercepted a pass from Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown at the 41-yd line. Quickly moving it down the field, Baugh rushed the ball in to put Florida’s first touchdown on the board.
But Auburn responded quickly, trailing 7-0, intercepting a throw from Aaron Philo. Slow moving offense and strong coverage from Florida stopped the Tigers drive, forcing a 40-yard field goal to cut into the lead, 7-3.
Florida’s first quarter ended with penalty issues from last Saturday’s game against Campbell, earning 10 penalties for 83 yards, eight of which were credited to the Gators offense. Regardless, Florida showed strength, outgaining Auburn 125 yards to negative three. Auburn’s Alex Golesh noted the Tigers need to establish a stronger run game before the next phase of the game opened up.
The second quarter opened up in similar fashion to the first, as Florida’s Duke Clark ran in a 20-yard touchdown to extend the Gators lead by six. Jeremiah Cobb took the Tigers down the field to answer the Gators lead, running in a two-yard touchdown for Auburn.
A double-pass saved the moment for the Gators after a throw to Vernell Brown III far down the field was ruled incomplete. Running back Kahleil Jackson launched a 45-yard pass to tight end Amir Jackson, taking the Gators to Auburn’s 13. Despite the gain, Philo was ultimately dislodged from the pocket, taking the drive to a 26-yard field goal secured by Durkin.
The Tigers pulled the score to 17-all after a pass to the end zone from Brown to Keshaun Singleton with just over five minutes left in the second.
A 28-yard attempt from Durkin at the end of the first half once again gave Florida the lead at 20-17.
The first half ended with Florida at the lead, but no clear leader in sight. Although the Gators entered Jordan-Hare with strong momentum, an explosive Tigers offense and several slip-ups by Florida’s offense ultimately allowed Auburn to catch up. Both teams earned 30 combined points in the final six drives of the first half.
The third quarter kicked off with Florida in possession, however Gators right tackle Caden Jones was issued a 15-yard penalty to start. Baugh once again proved his standing among the best running backs, opening the second half with a 33-yard touchdown run, extending the Gators lead to a clear 27-17 with help from Durkin’s extra point.
Florida was not to be stopped yet. With six minutes left in the third, Philo connected with Dallas Wilson for a 20-yard touchdown pass, giving Florida a 17-point lead over Auburn.
Auburn’s Deshawn Spencer grabbed a striking pass from Brown, giving the Tigers a touchdown and putting them within ten points of the Gators as the final phase of the game headed to a start.
In line with the previous three quarters, Auburn’s defense couldn’t contain Florida as they wasted little time adding to the scoreboard at the start of the fourth. Baugh exhibited his standard prowess in his third touchdown of the game, turning a fourth-and-one play into a 53-yard touchdown and bringing his game rushing yards to 150.
With 10 minutes left in the fourth, and the iconic “Gator Bait” cheer ringing clearly in Jordan-Hare, the Gators led by just under 20 points.
Auburn decreased the lead again, with Brown taking the ball into the end zone for a touchdown after a 90-yard drive. The Tigers then earned a two-point conversion, bringing the score to 41-32.
Auburn shortened Florida’s lead again, with Brown connecting with wide reciever Chase Nimrod for a 35-yard pass to the end zone to take the score to 44-39.
Despite the score, Florida stayed strong and took the win before it continues the season next Saturday at 3:30 p.m. against No. 8 Ole Miss in The Swamp.
