Florida walked into Jordan-Hare Stadium and got exactly the kind of mess an SEC opener can become: flags flying, momentum swinging and both teams spending the first half trying to find clean footing. But when the game finally tilted toward offense, the Gators had the answers.
Behind a sharp second-half burst and a heavy dose of Jadan Baugh, Florida outlasted Auburn 44-39 on Saturday night to open SEC play and move to 3-0 for the first time since 2019. It also marked the Gators’ first win in Auburn since 1999.
The first half was as choppy as it gets. Florida and Auburn were whistled for 10 penalties in the opening quarter alone, then 12 more over the rest of the night, with Florida responsible for 16 of the flags overall. Even so, the Gators carried a 20-17 lead into halftime, then blew the game open coming out of the break.
The first snap of the second half set the tone. Aaron Philo hit Vernell Brown III for 37 yards just two seconds in, and one minute later Baugh punched in his second long-distance score of the night, this one from 33 yards out to push Florida ahead 27-17. On the next possession, Philo finished a 12-play, 69-yard march with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Dallas Wilson, turning a three-point halftime edge into a 17-point cushion.
Baugh was the steady force all night and the hammer in the second half. He scored Florida’s first two rushing touchdowns, including a 2-yard run on the opening drive and a 20-yard burst to start the second quarter, then added two more scores after halftime. He finished with 162 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries.
Florida’s passing game took a little longer to show up, but it delivered enough when it mattered. One of the biggest plays of the first half came on a trick sequence in the second quarter, when Kahleil Jackson took a lob from Philo and then fired a 48-yard strike to Amir Jackson to move Florida to the Auburn 13. Later, Philo found Wilson for a 20-yard touchdown that made it 34-17.
Wilson caught four passes for 74 yards and a touchdown, while Vernell Brown led the Gators with five receptions for 86 yards.
Philo, making the first road start of his college career, spent plenty of the night under pressure but still finished 15 of 22 for 204 yards, one touchdown and one interception. His lone turnover came on a pass intended for Baugh that popped loose and landed in the hands of Auburn’s Da’Shawn Womack.
Florida’s defense opened fast, too. Cormani McClain intercepted Byrum Brown on the third play of the game, giving the Gators an early shot to grab control. The unit followed that by forcing a three-and-out, then held Auburn to a field goal after the Tigers started a drive at Florida’s 8-yard line following Philo’s interception.
But the Gators didn’t keep Auburn bottled up for long. Florida had done its best work this season by taking away explosive plays, and that edge slipped late in the first half and beyond. Auburn answered with an 8-play, 75-yard drive capped by Jeremiah Cobb’s 2-yard touchdown run, and the Tigers also hit Florida with several chunk gains, including a 48-yard completion from Byrum Brown to Keshaun Singleton.
Even with the rough patches, Florida had some strong individual defensive performances. Jayden Woods racked up six total tackles, including five solo stops, along with 2.5 sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss and a quarterback hurry. Emmanuel Oyebadejo added three total tackles, 2.5 sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss, a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry.
Patrick Durkin gave Florida a lift on special teams as well, drilling two field goals. His 28-yarder sent the Gators into halftime with the lead, and he added a 40-yarder with just under three minutes left.
Florida returns home next for Ole Miss on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
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For Florida fans keeping an eye on the league race, this is the part of the schedule where first impressions can harden fast. A win or loss in one of these spotlight games can change the conversation around rankings, coaches and quarterbacks alike, and Auburns chance to answer a real challenge may end up carrying more weight than it seems on paper. [Read more 🡒]