Just Plain Fun
Jon Sumrall meets up with Alex Golesh after the Gators’ 44-39 victory against Auburn on Saturday night. Photo courtesy of Alex Shepherd.
Written by Chris McLean / September 20, 2026
As I sit here oscillating between time zones, and going on a lack of sleep for 4 days, I'm grateful for every second of last night's game.
In the land of Dollar Generals and Waffle Houses, the Plains wasn't plain at all.
The joy I felt during this game has been hidden deep inside of me for nearly two decades. The moment the 2009 SEC championship game ended, the Florida Gators were sent adrift in the barren wasteland of college football. They have been seeking this level of elation for almost 20 years. Coach after coach. Quarterback after quarterback.
Us fans never knew when we would see competent coaching again. False starts to flying shoes, this journey from obscurity has felt like an eternity.
Coach Jon Sumrall has the trajectory of this program righted in just three games. Going on the road against a game opponent, in a stadium known for wacky results, the Gators got it done.
Aaron Philo was deft. VBIII spectacular. Dallas Wilson lethal. Duke Clark diligent. And what could be said about Jadan Baugh, but very Heisman like.
Giving Gator fans one of the biggest victories in ages, feels like the biggest weight has been lifted off our collective backs.
Sumrall welcomes the pressure. He feeds off of it.
Going for it on 4th & 5 at Auburn's 37 with 4:20 in the 4th was very "scared money don't make money" coded. But unlike Sunbelt Billy, Philo completed the pass to Duke for the first down. That successful conversion ate more clock and resulted in an insurance field goal.
Something that didn't happen the last 4 years. I'm sounding like a broken record at this point.
Now the defense needs some work, but overall the team played with a confidence unseen since the days Urban stalked Florida's sidelines.
Buster Faulkner with another masterful game, playing the right notes at exactly the right time.
It was such a wonderful football viewing experience, that I'm clamoring for more.
But don't worry, we'll get our fix. 3-0 Ole Miss comes to Gainesville next Saturday.
Sumrall has given us something we thought may never be possible again. His mastery and command of this program has left the Gator faithful counting their lucky stars.
But it doesn't seem like luck. Cause the Gators are actually good again.
What a blessing.
