Florida’s win over Auburn came with a little extra off-field spice, but Jon Sumrall didn’t let it linger long once the game was over.
After the Gators’ 44-39 victory on Saturday, Sumrall responded on social media to a pregame clip of Auburn head coach Alex Golesh saying the two “weren’t friends” while getting ready for the matchup. Sumrall’s answer was simple: a fist-bump emoji.
That postgame note stood in sharp contrast to the tone Sumrall struck during game week, when he made it clear he wasn’t interested in any friendly chatter if family members were pulling for the Tigers. Once the result was in, though, he was willing to move on.
On the field, Florida wasted no time setting the tone at The Plains. After the opening kickoff, cornerback Cormani McClain picked off Byrum Brown’s second pass of the game and returned possession to Florida at Auburn’s 41-yard line. Three plays later, Jadan Baugh punched in a 2-yard touchdown run, and the Gators were up 7-0.
From there, Baugh took over. The running back, described as one of the best in college football, piled up 162 rushing yards and scored three touchdowns. His other two scores came from 33 and 53 yards out.
Florida moved to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in the SEC with the win, but the schedule stiffens quickly. The Gators host Ole Miss in Week 4, with the Rebels also sitting at 3-0 and 1-0 in league play after beating LSU.
Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 26 on ABC.
In Other News...
LSUs Quarterback Situation Just Got Dragged Into A New Controversy
Sam Leavitts performance in LSUs loss to Ole Miss was already going to be part of the postgame conversation, but the attention around the Tigers quarterback has since shifted away from the field. A social media account believed to be linked to his father, Jared Leavitt, posted controversial comments about Muslims, quickly drawing concern from LSU fans and media and adding an uncomfortable layer to an already scrutinized situation.
So far, there has been no official response or apology from the account or from LSU, leaving the issue hanging as Leavitt prepares for the next stretch of games. For a quarterback trying to settle things down on the field, the off-field noise is the last thing LSU needs, especially with the program now facing questions that have little to do with wins and losses. [Read more 🡒]
Pat McAfee Sparks Ole Miss Sideline Buzz With Unexpected Game-Day Appearance
Pat McAfee showed up on the sideline for Ole Miss-LSU on Sept. 19, and his presence quickly became one of the more talked-about details around the game. He was seen standing next to Mary Kate Cornett, the Ole Miss student who had previously been drawn into a false rumor McAfee discussed on his show, a saga that had already spilled well beyond the football field.
Cornett had once considered legal action against McAfee before the matter was resolved outside of court, which made their shared appearance in Oxford all the more notable. Neither has publicly addressed what it meant, and for now the image of the two together is left to linger without an explanation from either side. [Read more 🡒]
Ole Miss Just Took A Rivalry Shot LSU Fans Wont Forget
Ole Miss left its mark on the rivalry with LSU in a 32-24 win that came with a little extra theater after the final whistle. The Rebels not only handled business on the field, but also leaned into the moment by playing "Callin Baton Rouge" as LSU players walked off, a nod that was sure to land with plenty of bite for a SEC crowd that knows exactly what that song means.
Trinidad Chambliss added to the night with a strong performance against his former coach, Lane Kiffin, giving Ole Miss another layer of satisfaction in a game that already carried plenty of edge. Between the postgame gesture from fans and players and the way the Rebels closed it out, this was the kind of win that sticks around long after the score is forgotten. [Read more 🡒]