Drive Chart
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| FAU |
| FLA |
Florida kicks off Jon Sumrall era in season opener against FAU
Under new coach Jon Sumrall, Florida Gators opens against Florida Atlantic Owls
The Jon Sumrall era will begin for Florida on Saturday night when it hosts Florida Atlantic in Gainesville, Fla., in the season opener for both teams.
Sumrall, who led Tulane to the College Football Playoff last season, takes over a squad vying to return to prominence following a frustrating 4-8 season that led to the dismissal of former coach Billy Napier after seven games.
Florida has finished with a losing record in four of its past five seasons.
The Owls, meanwhile, enter their second season under coach Zach Kittley and have failed to beat Florida in four previous meetings -- all in Gainesville.
Sumrall and Kittley coached against each other last Nov. 15, when Sumrall was at Tulane and beat FAU 35-24.
The Gators have a new starting quarterback in Georgia Tech transfer Aaron Philo, who won a tight competition this offseason against backup Tramell Jones Jr. Philo started once and appeared in three games while backing up former Yellow Jackets starter Haynes King last season.
Florida finished 93rd in average passing yards per game in 2025.
"We're moving forward with Aaron Philo as our starter, but the other part that's nice about it is both of those guys' skillsets are similar enough that we don't have to drastically change a game plan if we have to go with one or the other," Sumrall said.
One thing FAU had no trouble doing last season was pass the ball effectively.
The Owls led the nation with an average of 340.2 passing yards per game, led by returning quarterback Caden Veltkamp, who threw for 3,641 yards last season.
But the big fix FAU needs to make in 2026 is to its defense, which allowed 36.3 points per game, tied for fifth-worst among 136 FBS teams. The Owls also allowed the seventh-most yards per game (436.5) in the country.
Linebacker Leon Hart Jr. will anchor the defense this season, which added multiple new starters through the transfer portal.
"I want to make more game-changing plays," Hart said recently. "Turnovers, sacks, things of that nature."
--Field Level Media
Copyright 2026 STATS LLC and Field Level Media. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Field Level Media is strictly prohibited.
FAU
4 Pass
63 Rush
75 YDS
3:12 POS
PAT Good
Kickoff
13:54
C.Rogers extra point is good.
+1 YD
1ST & Goal FLA 1
13:55
E.Ervin rushed for 1 yard. TOUCHDOWN.
+7 YD
3RD & 6 FLA 8
14:24
C.Veltkamp rushed for 7 yards. Tackled by D.Johnson at FLA 1.
+4 YD
2ND & 10 FLA 12
14:54
C.Veltkamp pass complete. Catch made by A.Johnson for 4 yards. Tackled by M.Graham at FLA 8.
No Gain
1ST & 10 FLA 12
15:00
C.Veltkamp steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for E.Messer.
+9 YD
4TH & 4 FLA 21
0:05
C.Veltkamp pass complete. Catch made by B.Hoch for 9 yards. Tackled by A.Chiles at FLA 12.
No Gain
3RD & 6 FLA 21
0:09
C.Veltkamp steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for E.Messer.
No Gain
2ND & 4 FLA 21
0:16
C.Veltkamp steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for E.Messer.
+6 YD
1ST & 10 FLA 27
0:33
E.Ervin rushed for 6 yards. Tackled by J.Mbatchou at FLA 21.
+12 YD
1ST & 10 FLA 39
0:48
C.Veltkamp pass complete. Catch made by D.Henry for 12 yards. Tackled by M.Mays at FLA 27.
2nd Quarter
Point After TD
13:54
C.Rogers extra point is good.
plays
yds
pos
7
17
Touchdown
13:49
E.Ervin rushed for 1 yard. TOUCHDOWN.
13
plays
75
yds
3:12
pos
6
17
1st Quarter
Field Goal
2:03
P.Durkin 53 yard field goal attempt is good Center-C.Milliron Holder-A.Clark.
7
plays
27
yds
3:24
pos
0
17
Point After TD
6:28
P.Durkin extra point is good.
plays
yds
pos
0
14
Touchdown
6:22
A.Philo pass complete. Catch made by B.Stockton for 12 yards. TOUCHDOWN.
3
plays
30
yds
00:50
pos
0
13
Point After TD
8:41
P.Durkin extra point is good.
plays
yds
pos
0
7
Touchdown
8:39
A.Philo pass complete. Catch made by V.Brown for 49 yards. TOUCHDOWN.
7
plays
94
yds
3:20
pos
0
6
1st Quarter
2nd Quarter
| Team Stats | |
|
|---|---|---|
| 1st Downs | 8 | 9 |
| Rushing | 2 | 4 |
| Passing | 6 | 3 |
| Penalty | 0 | 2 |
| 3rd Down Conv | 4-8 | 0-1 |
| 4th Down Conv | 1-1 | 0-0 |
| Total Net Yards | 132 | 151 |
| Total Plays | 30 | 16 |
| Avg Gain | 4.4 | 9.4 |
| Net Yards Rushing | 42 | 59 |
| Rush Attempts | 8 | 10 |
| Avg Rush Yards | 5.3 | 5.9 |
| Yards Passing | 90 | 92 |
| Comp. - Att. | 13-22 | 6-6 |
| Yards Per Pass | 4.1 | 15.3 |
| Penalties - Yards | 5-43 | 0-0 |
| Touchdowns | 1 | 2 |
| Rushing TDs | 1 | 0 |
| Passing TDs | 0 | 2 |
| Other | 0 | 0 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Int. Thrown | 1 | 0 |
| Punts - Avg | 2-34.0 | 0-0.0 |
| Return Yards | 0 | 1 |
| Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 1-1 |
| Safeties | 0 | 0 |
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| Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
|
C. VeltkampÂ
10 QB
|
C. Veltkamp | 13/21 | 90 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
E. MesserÂ
8 WR
|
E. Messer | 0/1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
|
E. ErvinÂ
21 RB
|
E. Ervin | 5 | 25 | 1 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
B. Tillman IIIÂ
22 RB
|
B. Tillman III | 2 | 10 | 0 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
C. VeltkampÂ
10 QB
|
C. Veltkamp | 1 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
|
K. ValsinÂ
2 WR
|
K. Valsin | 5 | 4 | 30 | 0 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
D. HenryÂ
9 WR
|
D. Henry | 5 | 3 | 25 | 0 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
E. MesserÂ
8 WR
|
E. Messer | 8 | 2 | 17 | 0 | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
B. HochÂ
0 WR
|
B. Hoch | 1 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
A. JohnsonÂ
1 TE
|
A. Johnson | 2 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
B. Tillman IIIÂ
22 RB
|
B. Tillman III | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
|
L. Hart Jr.Â
6 LB
|
L. Hart Jr. | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
J. SweeneyÂ
22 S
|
J. Sweeney | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
W. DenaudÂ
2 DL
|
W. Denaud | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
T. LumanÂ
14 DL
|
T. Luman | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
T. JacksonÂ
27 DB
|
T. Jackson | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
D. McGheeÂ
4 DB
|
D. McGhee | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
D. AllenÂ
0 DB
|
D. Allen | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
E. SledgeÂ
62 DL
|
E. Sledge | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
J. BaxÂ
9 LB
|
J. Bax | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
G. MarcelinÂ
11 LB
|
G. Marcelin | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
|
C. RogersÂ
41 K
|
C. Rogers | 0/0 | 0 | 1/1 | 1 |
| Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
|
R. ChandleyÂ
91 P
|
R. Chandley | 2 | 34.0 | 0 | 50 |
| Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
| Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
| Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
|
A. PhiloÂ
12 QB
|
A. Philo | 6/6 | 92 | 2 | 0 |
| Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
|
J. BaughÂ
13 RB
|
J. Baugh | 7 | 45 | 0 | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
V. Brown IIIÂ
1 WR
|
V. Brown III | 1 | 14 | 0 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
A. PhiloÂ
12 QB
|
A. Philo | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
|
V. Brown IIIÂ
1 WR
|
V. Brown III | 3 | 3 | 62 | 1 | 49 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
D. WilsonÂ
6 WR
|
D. Wilson | 1 | 1 | 19 | 0 | 19 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
B. StocktonÂ
3 WR
|
B. Stockton | 1 | 1 | 12 | 1 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
M. Mays Jr.Â
5 WR
|
M. Mays Jr. | 1 | 1 | -1 | 0 | 0 |
| Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
|
K. ClarkÂ
20 LB
|
K. Clark | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
A. ChilesÂ
8 LB
|
A. Chiles | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
M. GrahamÂ
5 LB
|
M. Graham | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
J. FlowersÂ
6 CB
|
J. Flowers | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
B. Hanks IIIÂ
12 CB
|
B. Hanks III | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
D. JohnsonÂ
27 CB
|
D. Johnson | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
M. Mays Jr.Â
5 WR
|
M. Mays Jr. | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
B. BettÂ
90 DL
|
B. Bett | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
J. MbatchouÂ
97 DL
|
J. Mbatchou | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
E. OyebadejoÂ
99 DL
|
E. Oyebadejo | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
A. Allen Jr.Â
43 S
|
A. Allen Jr. | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
D. ColemanÂ
33 S
|
D. Coleman | 0-0 | 0.0 | 1 |
| Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
|
P. DurkinÂ
91 K
|
P. Durkin | 1/1 | 53 | 2/2 | 5 |
| Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
| Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
| Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
| 1st | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
| 15:00 | FAU 25 | 2:59 | 11 | 40 | INT |
| 8:41 | FAU 25 | 1:23 | 3 | 5 | Punt |
| 6:28 | FAU 25 | 0:58 | 3 | 2 | Punt |
| 2:06 | FAU 25 | 3:12 | 13 | 75 | TD |
| 1st | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
| 12:01 | FLA 6 | 3:20 | 7 | 94 | TD |
| 7:18 | FAU 43 | 0:50 | 3 | 43 | TD |
| 5:30 | FLA 23 | 3:24 | 7 | 42 | FG |
 - Touchdown (13 plays, 75 yards, 3:12 poss)
| Result | Play |
|---|---|
| PAT Good | (13:54 - 2nd) C.Rogers extra point is good. |
| +1 YD | 1 & Goal - FLA 1 (13:55 - 2nd) E.Ervin rushed for 1 yard. TOUCHDOWN. |
| +7 YD | 3 & 6 - FLA 8 (14:24 - 2nd) C.Veltkamp rushed for 7 yards. Tackled by D.Johnson at FLA 1. |
| +4 YD | 2 & 10 - FLA 12 (14:54 - 2nd) C.Veltkamp pass complete. Catch made by A.Johnson for 4 yards. Tackled by M.Graham at FLA 8. |
| No Gain | 1 & 10 - FLA 12 (15:00 - 2nd) C.Veltkamp steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for E.Messer. |
| +9 YD | 4 & 4 - FLA 21 (0:05 - 1st) C.Veltkamp pass complete. Catch made by B.Hoch for 9 yards. Tackled by A.Chiles at FLA 12. |
| No Gain | 3 & 6 - FLA 21 (0:09 - 1st) C.Veltkamp steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for E.Messer. |
| No Gain | 2 & 4 - FLA 21 (0:16 - 1st) C.Veltkamp steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for E.Messer. |
| +6 YD | 1 & 10 - FLA 27 (0:33 - 1st) E.Ervin rushed for 6 yards. Tackled by J.Mbatchou at FLA 21. |
| +12 YD | 1 & 10 - FLA 39 (0:48 - 1st) C.Veltkamp pass complete. Catch made by D.Henry for 12 yards. Tackled by M.Mays at FLA 27. |
| +18 YD | 1 & 10 - FAU 43 (1:02 - 1st) C.Veltkamp pass complete. Catch made by E.Messer for 18 yards. Tackled by FLA at FLA 39. |
| +11 YD | 3 & 3 - FAU 32 (1:21 - 1st) E.Ervin rushed for 11 yards. Tackled by K.Clark at FAU 43. |
| +5 YD | 2 & 8 - FAU 27 (1:47 - 1st) E.Ervin rushed for 5 yards. Tackled by M.Graham at FAU 32. |
| +2 YD | 1 & 10 - FAU 25 (2:06 - 1st) E.Ervin rushed for 2 yards. Tackled by B.Bett at FAU 27. |
| Kickoff | (2:06 - 1st) P.Durkin kicks 65 yards from FLA 35 to the FAU End Zone. Touchback. |
 - Field Goal (7 plays, 42 yards, 3:24 poss)
| Result | Play |
|---|---|
| Field Goal | 4 & 4 - FAU 43 (2:11 - 1st) P.Durkin 53 yard field goal attempt is good Center-C.Milliron Holder-A.Clark. |
| +2 YD | 3 & 6 - FAU 37 (2:49 - 1st) A.Philo rushed for 2 yards. Tackled by L.Hart at FAU 35. |
| -1 YD | 2 & 5 - FAU 36 (3:25 - 1st) A.Philo pass complete. Catch made by M.Mays for -1 yards. Tackled by G.Marcelin at FAU 37. |
| +5 YD | 1 & 10 - FAU 41 (3:50 - 1st) A.Philo pass complete. Catch made by V.Brown for 5 yards. Tackled by T.Jackson at FAU 36. |
| +14 YD | 2 & 4 - FLA 45 (4:22 - 1st) V.Brown rushed for 14 yards. Tackled by D.McGhee at FAU 41. |
| +6 YD | 1 & 10 - FLA 39 (4:57 - 1st) J.Baugh rushed for 6 yards. Tackled by J.Bax at FLA 45. |
| Penalty | 2 & 9 - FLA 24 (5:03 - 1st) A.Philo steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for D.Wilson. PENALTY on FAU-W.Denaud Personal Foul / Defense 15 yards accepted. No Play. |
| +1 YD | 1 & 10 - FLA 23 (5:30 - 1st) J.Baugh rushed for 1 yard. Tackled by L.Hart at FLA 24. |
 - Punt (3 plays, 2 yards, 0:58 poss)
| Result | Play |
|---|---|
| Punt | 4 & 8 - FAU 27 (5:42 - 1st) R.Chandley punts 50 yards to FLA 23 Center-W.Adkinson. Downed by FAU. |
| Penalty | 4 & 3 - FAU 32 (5:42 - 1st) PENALTY on FAU-FAU Delay of Game 5 yards accepted. |
| No Gain | 3 & 3 - FAU 32 (5:49 - 1st) C.Veltkamp steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for D.Henry. |
| +8 YD | 2 & 11 - FAU 24 (6:05 - 1st) C.Veltkamp pass complete. Catch made by K.Valsin for 8 yards. Tackled by A.Allen at FAU 32. |
| -1 YD | 1 & 10 - FAU 25 (6:28 - 1st) C.Veltkamp pass complete. Catch made by E.Messer for -1 yards. Tackled by J.Flowers at FAU 24. |
| Kickoff | (6:28 - 1st) P.Durkin kicks 65 yards from FLA 35 to the FAU End Zone. Touchback. |
 - Touchdown (3 plays, 43 yards, 0:50 poss)
| Result | Play |
|---|---|
| PAT Good | (6:28 - 1st) P.Durkin extra point is good. |
| +12 YD | 1 & 10 - FAU 12 (6:33 - 1st) A.Philo pass complete. Catch made by B.Stockton for 12 yards. TOUCHDOWN. |
| No Gain | 1 & 10 - FAU 25 (6:49 - 1st) J.Baugh rushed for 0 yards. Tackled by W.Denaud at FAU 25. PENALTY on FAU-W.Denaud Personal Foul / Defense 13 yards accepted. |
| +18 YD | 1 & 5 - FAU 43 (7:18 - 1st) J.Baugh rushed for 18 yards. Tackled by W.Denaud at FAU 25. |
 - Punt (3 plays, 5 yards, 1:23 poss)
| Result | Play |
|---|---|
| Penalty | 1 & 10 - FAU 48 (7:18 - 1st) PENALTY on FAU-C.Doggette Defensive Offside 5 yards accepted. |
| Punt | 4 & 5 - FAU 30 (7:27 - 1st) R.Chandley punts 18 yards to FAU 48 Center-W.Adkinson. Downed by N.Brantley. |
| +9 YD | 3 & 14 - FAU 21 (8:02 - 1st) B.Tillman rushed for 9 yards. Tackled by A.Chiles at FAU 30. |
| +1 YD | 2 & 15 - FAU 20 (8:38 - 1st) B.Tillman rushed for 1 yard. Tackled by E.Oyebadejo at FAU 21. |
| No Gain | 1 & 15 - FAU 20 (8:41 - 1st) C.Veltkamp steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for K.Valsin. |
| Penalty | 1 & 10 - FAU 25 (8:41 - 1st) PENALTY on FAU-FAU Delay of Game 5 yards accepted. |
| Kickoff | (8:41 - 1st) P.Durkin kicks 65 yards from FLA 35 to the FAU End Zone. Touchback. |
 - Touchdown (7 plays, 94 yards, 3:20 poss)
| Result | Play |
|---|---|
| PAT Good | (8:41 - 1st) P.Durkin extra point is good. |
| +49 YD | 1 & 10 - FAU 49 (8:49 - 1st) A.Philo pass complete. Catch made by V.Brown for 49 yards. TOUCHDOWN. |
| +19 YD | 2 & 12 - FLA 32 (9:13 - 1st) A.Philo pass complete. Catch made by D.Wilson for 19 yards. Tackled by L.Hart at FAU 49. |
| -2 YD | 1 & 10 - FLA 34 (9:43 - 1st) A.Philo rushed for -2 yards. Tackled by E.Sledge at FLA 32. |
| +3 YD | 2 & 2 - FLA 31 (10:21 - 1st) J.Baugh rushed for 3 yards. Tackled by L.Hart at FLA 34. |
| +8 YD | 1 & 10 - FLA 23 (10:49 - 1st) A.Philo pass complete. Catch made by V.Brown for 8 yards. Tackled by J.Sweeney at FLA 31. |
| +8 YD | 2 & 1 - FLA 15 (11:27 - 1st) J.Baugh rushed for 8 yards. Tackled by D.Allen at FLA 23. |
| +9 YD | 1 & 10 - FLA 6 (12:01 - 1st) J.Baugh rushed for 9 yards. Tackled by J.Sweeney at FLA 15. |
 - Interception (11 plays, 40 yards, 2:59 poss)
| Result | Play |
|---|---|
| Int | 3 & 10 - FLA 35 (12:09 - 1st) C.Veltkamp pass INTERCEPTED at FLA 5. Intercepted by D.Coleman at FLA 5. Tackled by FAU at FLA 6. |
| No Gain | 2 & 10 - FLA 35 (12:12 - 1st) C.Veltkamp steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for E.Messer. |
| No Gain | 1 & 10 - FLA 35 (12:17 - 1st) C.Veltkamp steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for D.Henry. |
| +8 YD | 2 & 5 - FLA 43 (12:21 - 1st) C.Veltkamp pass complete. Catch made by K.Valsin for 8 yards. Tackled by FLA at FLA 35. |
| +3 YD | 1 & 10 - FLA 46 (12:41 - 1st) C.Veltkamp pass complete. Catch made by B.Tillman for 3 yards. Tackled by A.Chiles at FLA 43. |
| +7 YD | 3 & 1 - FAU 47 (13:06 - 1st) C.Veltkamp pass complete. Catch made by K.Valsin for 7 yards. Tackled by B.Hanks at FLA 46. |
| +2 YD | 2 & 3 - FAU 45 (13:26 - 1st) C.Veltkamp pass complete. Catch made by A.Johnson for 2 yards. Tackled by K.Clark at FAU 47. |
| +7 YD | 1 & 10 - FAU 38 (14:02 - 1st) C.Veltkamp pass complete. Catch made by K.Valsin for 7 yards. Tackled by K.Clark at FAU 45. |
| +10 YD | 3 & 7 - FAU 28 (14:27 - 1st) C.Veltkamp pass complete. Catch made by D.Henry for 10 yards. Tackled by FLA at FAU 38. |
| +3 YD | 2 & 10 - FAU 25 (14:54 - 1st) C.Veltkamp pass complete. Catch made by D.Henry for 3 yards. Tackled by K.Clark at FAU 28. |
| No Gain | 1 & 10 - FAU 25 (15:00 - 1st) E.Messer steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for E.Messer. |
| Kickoff | (15:00 - 1st) P.Durkin kicks 65 yards from FLA 35 to the FAU End Zone. Touchback. |
