GAINESVILLE, FL (WRUF.com) – Florida got its first real look at the Jon Sumrall era last Saturday.
Now, the Gators get a chance to build on it.
Florida’s 66-21 win over Florida Atlantic provided the first answers to some of the questions surrounding the new-look team, from Aaron Philo’s first start at quarterback to Jadan Baugh’s continued role as the centerpiece of the offense. The season opener also exposed areas Florida still needs to improve, particularly on defense.
Campbell presents a different challenge in Week 2.
With another opportunity to evaluate Florida’s new-look team on the horizon, here are five key storylines to watch against Campbell.
Can the Defense Clean it Up?
Florida’s defense knows it can be better.
The Gators gave up 396 yards and three touchdowns to Florida Atlantic, including two lengthy scoring drives in the first half. While the defense ultimately made enough plays to help Florida pull away, it wasn’t the performance Sumrall or defensive coordinator Brad White wanted to see.
The issues weren’t necessarily about effort. Instead, Florida struggled with communication, situational awareness and adjusting to FAU’s tempo.
“At times, it was that we didn’t get off of a block,” Sumrall said Monday. “We had several opportunities and we just didn’t quite get done the way we need to.”
Florida will have a chance to show how quickly it could potentially correct those mistakes Saturday against Campbell.
The Fighting Camels are 2-0 for the first time since 2018 after wins over East Tennessee and No. 24 Western Carolina. They enter Saturday averaging 521 yards of total offense per game, while quarterback Kamden Sixkiller ranks among the FCS’ leaders in several categories, meaning Florida’s defense will face another fast-paced offense.
White said Tuesday the Gators spent the weekend focusing on being better prepared for situations they may encounter on the field, particularly when communication becomes difficult.
Can Florida Contain Sixkiller?
Sixkiller has given Campbell reason to feel confident heading into The Swamp.
The quarterback enters Saturday ranked among the FCS’ top 10 in five categories, including passing yards (STAT), total offense (STAT), completions per game (STAT), rushing touchdowns (STAT) and points responsible for (STAT). Through two games, Sixkiller has thrown for 673 yards while adding three rushing touchdowns.
His best performance came in Campbell’s season opener at East Tennessee State, when he was named the FCS National Offensive Player of the Week.
Sixkiller’s production has helped Campbell become one of the FCS’ most effective offenses early in the season. The Camels rank fourth nationally in the FCS in passing offense at 336.5 yards per game and eighth in total offense at 521 yards per game.
That presents a challenge for a Florida defense looking to improve its communication and situational awareness after following FAU quarterback Caden Veltkamp to throw for 276 yards.
Keep the Baugh Rolling?
Baugh didn’t need long to remind everyone why he enters the season with so much hype.
The junior running back broke loose for a 61-yard run against Florida Atlantic, pushing his career rushing total past 2,000 in the process. He finished the night as one of the keys to Florida’s win and picked up right where he left off after a 1,170-yard sophomore season.
Now, Baugh faces a Campbell defense that is coming off a performance that could be difficult to run against.
The Fighting Camels held No. 24 Western Carolina to just one rushing yard in Sunday’s 28-19 win—their fewest rushing yards allowed against a nonconference opponent and the second fewest in program history.
Baugh will be the biggest test of whether that performance can carry over to Gainesville.
Can Philo Build on His Debut?
Philo couldn’t have asked for a much better Gators debut.
The junior quarterback completed 76 percent of his passes for 275 yards, threw one interception and three touchdowns in Florida’s game against FAU, adding a rushing touchdown in the second quarter.
More importantly, Philo looked comfortable running Buster Faulkner’s new offense.
The familiarity was one of the biggest reasons Philo’s arrival in Gainesville made sense after he played at Georgia Tech under Faulkner before transferring to Florida, giving the two a connection few other players on the roster have.
After Saturday’s performance, Philo said the preparation leading into the opener allowed him to play with confidence.
“[We] prepared a lot for these guys, and that allows you to come out here and play with confidence,” Philo said.
Now, he gets another opportunity to show that confidence wasn’t limited to Week 1.
Can Florida Win the Turnover Battle Again?
Florida made a habit of taking the ball away in its season opener.
The Gators forced three turnovers against Florida Atlantic, with DJ Coleman and Dijon Johnson each coming away with an interception and Brendan Bett forcing a fumble in the second half. Those takeaways helped Florida keep control of the game as its offense continued to pull away.
Campbell knows a thing or two about giving the ball away, too.
Sixkiller threw three interceptions in the Fighting Camels’ win over Western Carolina. Despite the turnovers, Campbell’s offense continued to produce, totaling 528 yards and holding onto the lead after jumping out to a 21-3 advantage.
That makes Saturday’s turnover battle especially interesting.
Florida’s offense showed that it can capitalize when given extra opportunities. The Gators scored 66 points and found the end zone nine times, making every additional possession potentially costly for an opponent.
For Campbell, protecting the football will be just as important as moving it.
Florida doesn’t need to force three turnovers again to win Saturday. But if the Gators can replicate Week 1’s disruption, particularly against a Campbell offense that has shown it can move the ball, they could make it difficult for the Camels to keep pace.
This story was originally published at WRUF.com and is reprinted by express permission.