GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Florida’s lead over Ole Miss got a major jolt in the second quarter, and not just from the scoreboard.
The No. 21 Gators were up 17-6 at halftime against No.
4 Ole Miss, with Jadan Baugh responsible for both Florida touchdowns. His second score came on a two-yard run with 2:51 left in the half, but the drive was shaped by a frightening sequence involving receiver Bailey Stockton.
On third-and-eight at the Rebels’ 25-yard line, Stockton worked the middle of the field on a pass from Aaron Philo. The ball slipped through his hands, and as the play finished, Ole Miss safety Joenel Aguero delivered a helmet-to-helmet hit. After review, Aguero was ejected for targeting, and the penalty moved Florida all the way to the five-yard line.
TJ Abrams also had a reception on Stockton’s tip during the sequence.
Stockton left the game afterward and was later seen on the sideline holding his back while trainers attended to him. At the time of the injury, he had three catches for 24 yards. He now has 12 receptions for 97 yards and a touchdown on the season.
There was at least one encouraging sign for Florida: Stockton appears set to return for the third quarter.
Earlier this season, offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner described Stockton this way: "Bailey Stockton is a heckuva football player, one of the toughest kids you’ll ever be around," offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner said earlier this season. "He’s been in some loaded wide receiver rooms, so we have zero doubt.
If he’s gonna play 90 snaps, he’ll go out there and give you everything he’s got for 90 snaps. He knows the offense, he’s faster than you think, he gets open probably as good as anybody."
Florida’s receiver group has already taken a hit this season, and Stockton is one of three injuries among contributing wideouts. Eric Singleton Jr., the expected starter, has not played since the opening drive of the season-opener because of an ankle injury. He was listed as a game-time decision for Saturday, warmed up, dressed out, and still did not see the field in the first half.
Head coach Jon Sumrall explained earlier in the week why Singleton Jr. stayed out against Auburn: "He maybe could have gone, but I wasn't going to let his desire to play in that situation override common sense. Common sense has to prevail," head coach Jon Sumrall said on Monday of the decision to not play Singleton Jr. against Auburn.
"You force a guy like that back too soon with his skillset, and then something bad happens that we could have avoided, and then you set him back four more weeks. It's like, ‘Well, that was a bad idea.’
He may come back when he's right. You never know what's going to happen with a guy, but we're going to make good, educated decisions about his return."
Vernell Brown III also exited in the second quarter with what appeared to be an injury, and he was on Florida’s sideline without a helmet or gloves.
With Brown III likely unavailable, Florida will lean on Dallas Wilson, with Abrams, Kahleil Jackson and Micah Mays Jr. in supporting roles. Singleton Jr. returned to the field for the third quarter.
Ole Miss opened the second half with a touchdown, trimming Florida’s lead to 17-14.
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