The Jon Sumrall era is officially underway at Florida. The Gators' season opener against Florida Atlantic gave UF fans plenty to cheer about as their team grounded the Owls 66-21.
Gator Nation got its first real look at a Florida program that underwent significant changes during the offseason. Florida fielded 50 new players, brought in two coordinators and just about every position group entered Week 1 with questions. After months of conversation around new culture, winning identity and accountability, fans finally had an opportunity to evaluate the product on the field.
As expected, social media had lots to say about what unfolded in the Swamp on Saturday: from Philo's debut performance, Baugh's individual greatness and Dallas Wilson's electrifying
touchdown catch to Sumrall's energy on the sideline. Here are some of the best reactions from Florida's season opener against the Owls.
Florida drops 66 POINTS in Jon Sumrall’s debut as the Florida HC 🐊
— Florida Gators 🐊🔥 (@gatorsszn) September 6, 2026
It’s the most points scored in a season opening since 1988 🤯
Gators racked up 613 yards of offense and forced 3 turnovers on defense
Great start to the Sumrall Era 🔥 pic.twitter.com/uy2mMfaBSX
This place is special pic.twitter.com/ktwMPPU6jQ
— Florida Victorious (@Fl_Victorious) September 6, 2026
1-0 !!! https://t.co/nF4ZSq7JEz
— Gators Online (@GatorsOnline) September 6, 2026
ts kinda tough pic.twitter.com/z4STM8068d
— Barstool Florida (@UFBarstool) September 6, 2026
The best OC Florida has had since Dan Mullen 👀 pic.twitter.com/kD2ug1iaTz
— GATORCHOMP🇺🇲🐊 (@GatorChompXX) September 6, 2026
Gator Walk pic.twitter.com/0IxcMNLVRT
— Florida Victorious (@Fl_Victorious) September 5, 2026
Update from The Swamp pic.twitter.com/EvGOVxlzjC
— Zach Abolverdi (@ZachAbolverdi) September 6, 2026
Sumrall is FIRED up for his first gator walk!! pic.twitter.com/odsylNkETh
— Blah Blah Blah (@Gator2526) September 5, 2026
#Gators scored 38 points in the first half vs. FAU
— Daren Stoltzfus WESH (@DarenStoltzfus) September 6, 2026
Billy Napier led teams only scored more than 38 in a GAME vs. FBS competition 4 times in just less than 4 seasons at Florida
HALFTIME: Florida 38, FAU 14 pic.twitter.com/uEAu8efmP0
Sumrall is visibly fired up addressing the team during pregame warmups pic.twitter.com/tLYBxiqxCj
— Jackson Colding (@Colding_Jackson) September 5, 2026
‼️‼️‼️ https://t.co/Bl4ICoopXE pic.twitter.com/wDGTIZ5Tzi
— GATORCHOMP🇺🇲🐊 (@GatorChompXX) September 6, 2026
The Swamp is ROCKIN pic.twitter.com/TvmVvY31VX
— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) September 6, 2026
Buster Faulkner has changed my life
— Blue-Orange Gator (@BlueOrangeGtr) September 6, 2026
— Alex (@ufhelicopters) September 6, 2026
Florida coach Jon Sumrall exits the tunnel for his first game in The Swamp 🏟️ pic.twitter.com/GjHrDoIrWB
— Zach Abolverdi (@ZachAbolverdi) September 6, 2026
Aaron Philo to TJ Abrams SHEESH pic.twitter.com/pK741hkrxi
— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) September 6, 2026
Florida already has more yards on offense than last season
— Cameron Magruder (@ScooterMagruder) September 6, 2026
This is what I want from my football coach. Billy Napier could never pic.twitter.com/9SmvWVsfkk
— BEAN (@BEANtheMACHINE4) September 6, 2026
The Gator Bait cheer is officially back at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
— Noah Ram (@Noah_ram1) September 6, 2026
The UF marching band performed the cheer at the start of FAU’s second drive in the #Gators season opener
The cheer had been banned in June 2020 due to the “historical racist imagery associated with the phrase”… pic.twitter.com/w6d8FsBg0C
These jump cuts by Baugh are insane pic.twitter.com/Za93LOpysf
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) September 6, 2026
That was crazy
— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) September 6, 2026
Jadan Baugh. RB1. pic.twitter.com/qp82RsLOIF
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Social media reacts as Florida pummels FAU in season opener
