Sumrall Bringing New Twist to Florida’s Orange & Blue Game

This weekend, for the first time in 2026, fans will return to the Swamp for the annual Orange & Blue game. The game will give fans their first opportunity to see the team under first-year head coach Jon Sumrall. 

Along with new players and personnel, Sumrall brings with him a new format for the spring game, squaring the offense against the defense. In past years, the team was split in half with a draft and played like a traditional game. 

“The offense will be in blue, the defense will be in white,” Sumrall said. “We’re not going to actually wear orange and blue because that would be ridiculously confusing.”

Sumrall’s format includes changes to scoring as well, with opportunities for both the offense and defense to score points. The offense will use regular scoring, with the addition of a three- or four-point conversion from the 5- and 10-yard lines respectively. The defense will get six points from a takeaway, three points from a three-and-out or a turnover on downs and one point if they force a punt. 

Sumrall said the defensive scoring method was what he did for his last four spring games. He came up with the idea in his first year at Troy because they did not have enough offensive linemen to split into two teams. 

“It came out of my brain,” Sumrall said. “I didn’t want to take the time to split up teams. I did it that way, and then it just kind of made sense. I was like, ‘Yeah, I sort of like this.’”

All eyes will be on quarterbacks Aaron Philo and Tramell Jones Jr. as they battle for the starting job. The competition has been the biggest storyline of the offseason following DJ Lagway’s decision to transfer. The game gives both signal callers the chance to show off their skills in front of spectators for the first time.

“You’ll see different rotations in there,” Sumrall said. “There will be guys that start game one. But right now, who’s the starter? Nobody. Who’s a backup? Everybody.”

The game also gives the coaching staff a chance to identify players who can work their way into the rotation and earn a role before the fall. Sumrall has expressed concerns with the team’s depth so far throughout spring practice and is looking for players to step up.

“I don’t feel really good. In full disclosure I am very uncomfortable with the depth of how competitive we are,” said Sumrall. “It’s a little uneasy for me. So, we need to challenge some guys to go play football.”

The Gators are coming off of a 4-8 season in 2025, their worst overall record since 2013. Last year’s spring game was record-setting, with Team Blue winning 38-32. Ja’Kobi Jackson set the rushing record with 198 yards on the ground and Dallas Wilson tied the receiving record with 195 yards on 10 receptions. 

The game will kickoff at noon and will be free admission to fans looking to attend in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Category: College Football, Gator Sports, Gators Football