Jadan Baugh runs wild in the Swamp as Florida opens the Jon Sumrall era with a 66-21 win over FAU

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — First-year Florida coach Jon Sumrall stepped into the Swamp minutes before the opening kick and was admittedly surprised. It was even more intense than what he experienced as a Kentucky linebacker more than two decades ago.

“The energy, the stadium was on fire,” Sumrall said. “You could feel it.”

It'll be even more palatable if Sumrall and the Gators turn their season opener into a season-long trend.

Jadan Baugh ran for 160 yards and three touchdowns, juking defenders nearly every time he touched the ball, and Florida opened the Sumrall era with a 66-21 win over Florida Atlantic on Saturday night.

Aaron Philo added 275 yards passing and four total scores as the Gators won their seventh consecutive home debut for a new coach. This one was Florida's highest-scoring season opener since 1994.

Sumrall entered the sold-out Swamp amid fire, smoke and strobe lights. He delivered a fiery pregame speech on the field and then really showed what he’s about with a dominant win that was never in doubt. He even had his team throwing — and scoring — in the final minute, reminding some of Hall of Famer Steve Spurrier.

“It was a fun brand to watch,” Sumrall said. “We need to keep it up.”

Florida scored on its first six possessions. Philo connected with Vernell Brown III for a 49-yard score and then found former Georgia Tech teammate and current roommate Bailey Stockton for a 12-yarder.

Philo scrambled for a score on fourth down to make it 24-7.

“If he keeps doing that, we're going to be trouble for a lot of people,” Baugh said.

Baugh took over from there, making defenders look silly while scoring from 12, 7 and 6 yards out. He also delivered the longest run of his career, a 61-yarder in the third.

“I've never seen anything like it,” Philo said. “The dude's unreal, and to have him in the backfield with me, he's a weapon.”

FAU's Bo Simpson-Nealy, Jonathan Bax, Damon Allen and JK Johnson won’t want to watch replays, but they can take solace in knowing Baugh did the same thing in his previous game at Florida Field.

The 225-pound junior ran for 266 yards and two touchdowns against Florida State to end last season.

Sumrall was hired the following day. He called Florida a sleeping giant and vowed to “wake the beast up.” This was a solid start.

He surely will find plenty to nitpick. FAU totaled 57 plays in the first half and converted 10 of its first 16 third-down plays.

But the Owls had no answer for Baugh, who now has 426 yards rushing and five scores in his last two games — both resounding wins against in-state opponents.

“Just being able to walk out there and see the fans and see the guys actually get big eyed because they never seen something like this before, that just made me the most excited,” Baugh said.

The takeaway

Florida Atlantic: The Owls, who led the nation in passing offense last season, returned quarterback Caden Veltkamp and leading receiver Easton Messer. But the duo had trouble connecting in the Swamp. Veltkamp completed 34 of 52 passes for 276 yards, with a TD, two interceptions and a fumble. Messer finished with seven receptions for 73 yards on 13 targets.

Florida: Philo flashed in his second career start and first at Florida. He beat out Tramell Jones Jr. in training camp while displaying a better grasp of Buster Faulkner’s offense. Philo completed 16 of 21 passes, with an INT.

Up next

Florida Atlantic hosts Navy next Saturday.

Florida hosts Campbell next Saturday.

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