The Gators won by margins of 45 and 49 points while being explosive and fast. The next roadblock that tries to halt that offensive rhythm is more formidable than the first two opponents.

Florida makes the trip to Auburn, Alabama for the first time since 2011, looking for its first road win against the Tigers since 1999. Here’s everything you need to know about the matchup:

Battle in the Trenches

Perhaps the most important matchup in Florida’s first SEC slugfest of the season comes from the trenches. One of the biggest keys to coming away with a win is giving Aaron Philo enough time to stay as consistent as he has been through the first two contests. Look for UF’s newest interior pieces in center Harrison Moore and guard TJ Shanahan Jr. to face their first true test of the season.

What also makes the matchup difficult is the coach in charge of leading Auburn’s defense. Defensive coordinator DJ Durkin, a former assistant at UF, has crafted the Tigers’ unit into one of the nation’s best, holding opponents to 24 points or less in 10 of 12 games in 2025. That combined with their ability to rotate depth on the defensive line and consistently stack the box allows for more pressure on the opponent and poses a major difficulty. For Florida offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner, it is all about the chess match within the game between himself and Durkin.

“You can see his defenses everywhere he’s been,” Faulkner said. “They play with their hair on fire. They play fast. It’s going to be a big challenge for us on the road.”

For Auburn (2-0), the defensive line looks to wreak havoc and disrupt Florida’s plan. The Tigers’ defense ranks 13th nationally through the first two weeks in stopping the run, allowing only 2.19 yards on average. Following a four-sack performance against Southern Mississippi, the focus turns to hastening Philo’s decision making and finding a way to stop Jadan Baugh.

Aaron Philo’s Hot Start

Florida ranks top six in both total offensive yards (569.0 yards per game) and scoring offense (118 points) to start the season. You can thank quarterback Aaron Philo for a big part of that.

The more you think of the job Philo was tasked with just under two weeks before the season, the more you realize how difficult it is. Despite having never been a full-time starter for Georgia Tech, let alone an SEC program, the redshirt sophomore has excelled.

SEC Network ranked Philo the fifth-best quarterback in the conference after 517 passing yards and five touchdowns in Florida’s two wins. Philo has done a strong job of finding his receivers across the middle. If the field general can continue his streak of efficiency, Auburn might have trouble keeping Florida scores off the board.

How Do You Limit Byrum Brown?

It is no secret that Byrum Brown is one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the nation, which is why coach Alex Golesh brought him along to Auburn from USF. While the two-touchdown-to-four-interception ratio stands out on Brown’s 2026 statline, his 485 passing yards and 115 rushing yards display just how dangerous he can be. His pair of abilities present a tough dilemma for UF defensive coordinator Brad White and the unit he commands: what aspect of Brown’s QB profile do you focus on?

Possibly the best route to containing Brown is leaning on one of the defense’s shining stars. Myles Graham, who led the Gators in tackles in 2025 and does so again through the first two weeks, will be crucial in spying on Brown to make sure he does not leave the pocket. 

“He’s that really stabilizing force,” White said. “There’s never a high, there’s never a low. You can feel his intensity … but it’s not this out of control feeling when you’re with him.”

If Brown does, the junior linebacker can step up and lay down a hit on Brown. However, if he stays put in the pocket, Florida should be able to capitalize on a mistake or two from Brown. 

Returning Gators Blasting Off

While the defenses garner most of the attention in this matchup, look no further than two of Florida’s stars for offense. Between Baugh and sophomore receiver Vernell Brown III, Florida can put pressure on Auburn at any moment to come up with a score. 

Starting with Baugh, it’s a return to normalcy from last year. After becoming just the 10th Gator all-time to reach the 1,000 rushing yard mark in a season, Baugh has followed that up by starting this season in stellar fashion. Baugh leads the SEC with 296 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns, as well as top in rushing yards per carry at 10.57 yards on average. Against the Tigers, the early Heisman Trophy candidate has his sights set on becoming only the fourth Gators to have four straight 100-yard rushing games.

If you are looking for another hero on a Gators offense that ripped off 118 points in their first two games, then look no further than VB3. The legacy Gator scored a hat-trick of touchdowns and snapped records in Week 2, breaking Brandon James’ Florida record for most punt return yards in a game with 173. Brown also became only the second player in Florida history to return two punt to the house, the first to do so since Jacquez Green against Kentucky in 1996. 

Pair those two weapons with the remainder of Florida’s potent offense and what do you get? A unit with high expectations that they can realistically meet in its first SEC test of the season. 

Florida vs Auburn: Rivalry Renewed?

While Florida vs. Auburn does not immediately stand out as a top SEC rivalry today, one look at the storied history between the teams might change your mind. The Tigers and the Gators used to battle on the field annually between 1945-2002 before the SEC expanded and the rivalry was lost in the shuffle. Dig deep into the 84 all-time meetings between the foes, a series where Auburn leads 43-39-2, and you find some outstanding moments.

In 1986, Florida coach Galen Hall made the decision to bench quarterback Rodney Brewer after four turnovers and make way for a banged-up Kerwin Bell, who missed the previous two games because of injury. Limping and all, Bell somehow led the Gators to an 18-17 win, capping the upset over fifth-ranked Auburn with a surprising quarterback sneak on the game-sealing two-point conversion.

Just four years later, it was a much different score that put the nation on notice. First-year coach Steve Spurrier’s 15th-ranked Gators marched into a matchup against the then-defending three-time SEC champions in No. 4 Auburn. Throughout the game, Spurrier let his offense run wild and maul the Tigers, entering the halftime break with a 34-7 lead after a 27-point second-quarter effort. The eventual 48-7 win for Florida gave Spurrier a monumental win in the first season of his decorated career and the Gators their largest margin of victory in the matchup history.

Now looking toward 2026, the scene is not much different. A coach in Florida’s Jon Sumrall, heading into Auburn during his debut season looking to make a statement with an offense firing on all cylinders. What does differ is the coach on the other end, as first-year Tigers coach Alex Golesh looks to get the better of the Gators for the second year in a row. Regardless, the pressure is on and the victor will come away with their first SEC win and a massive momentum boost for their team to start conference play.

Coverage for the SEC opener for both teams begins at 4 p.m. on 98.1-FM/850-AM/103.7 HD2 and 7 p.m. on ESPN.

At 6-foot-3, just a few inches shorter than his 6-7 dad, Luke carries a similar athletic frame that once took his father from Georgia Tech to the first round of the NBA Draft. He grew up around basketball, spending afternoons shooting in the driveway, playing one-on-one together.

Despite becoming an all-region basketball player during his junior and senior years at Atlanta’s Marist School, football eventually became the clear path for Luke to pursue. He said the movements he had practiced so often on the basketball court translated to the football field.

“Everything kind of came just really naturally, catching the ball,  the movements and everything,” Luke said. “It just felt more natural and I turned out to be pretty good.”

Now entering his junior year and his first season at Florida, Harpring is starting to find his role with the Gators after transferring from Georgia Tech this offseason. He followed offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner  to Florida, with the coaching staff being a large part of what made Gainesville the right fit for his career. 

Tight end coach Evan McKissack has helped Harpring develop his blocking and become more comfortable in the run game, adding another part to the skill set he has been building since arriving at Florida. 

“Coach Kiss has definitely taught me a lot of little pointers that have helped me as far as in the run game or in passing,” Luke said.

Faulkner noted Luke’s improvement as well, saying  “he’s gotten better at the things he needs to get better at.”

While Luke continues to develop his talents at Florida, the foundation for how he approaches that development was established years before stepping into The Swamp.

His father graduated from Georgia Tech in 1998, leaving behind a large impact on the basketball team as the school’s second all-time leader in points and third in rebounds. Shortly after graduating, he was selected in the first round of the draft by the Orlando Magic.

He spent 10 seasons in the NBA, but the lessons he passed down to Luke went beyond just the game. Matt wanted his children to understand what sports could offer beyond success: the discipline, purpose and desire to continue getting better.

Luke credits his father for implementing those values and showing him how to work hard.

“A lot of that [work ethic] comes from him,” Luke said. “He’s really taught me how to work. And you know, in my day to day, whether it is doing any extra stuff, any extra preparation, I feel like that’s really kind of brought me to where I am today. And I’m thankful for that.”

Matt didn’t expect Luke to follow in his exact footsteps, but he wanted his son to know it was possible to reach that level of success. When Matt was in eighth grade, he remembers people telling him not to even think about playing in the NBA. There were people who doubted whether he was good enough to reach that level.

As a father, he wanted Luke to understand there would always be naysayers, but that didn’t mean his goals were impossible.

“I think it puts a dream out there like, hey — this can happen,” Matt said. “This is your world and if you want it, let’s go get it and I’ll help you all the way.”

That support remained the same when Luke chose football. One of his biggest pieces of advice was to focus on the small things.

“Did you get faster today? Did you get stronger today? Did you get better today?” Matt said. “If you do that, the reps, the playing time and all those things will come.”

That mindset has accompanied Harpring into his first season in Gainesville. Against Florida Atlantic, he played 23 snaps as a reserve tight end and caught his only target for 19 yards. The following week against Campbell, he recorded three receptions for 33 yards, including a 22-yard gain.

His first two games at Florida have provided a glimpse of what he can contribute, but his development is still ongoing. And for Matt, the progress matters more than any guarantee of where that work eventually leads.

“After all this work, after all of what you put into it, it still might not work out,” Matt said. “There’s no guarantees, but you’re always going to be proud of the work that you put in … you’re always going to give yourself a chance.”

The Gators open conference play Saturday night at Jordan-Hare Stadium against an Auburn team that enters 2-0 and presents a much different challenge than Florida’s first two opponents. Auburn’s physical rushing attack, mobile quarterback and experienced defense will test the Gators on both sides of the ball.

Florida and Auburn will meet for the first time since 2019 and only the third time in the last 15 years. The Tigers lead the all-time series 43-39-2 and hold a 26-8-1 advantage in games played at Jordan-Hare. Auburn has also won four of the last six meetings, including three at home.

The biggest challenge for Florida’s defense could come from Auburn’s ability to create problems through the air and on the ground. 

Quarterback Byrum Brown leads the Tigers’ offense and has become a more polished player with experience, according to Sumrall. Through Auburn’s first two games, Brown has thrown for 485 yards and two touchdowns, including a 45-yard pass against Southern Mississippi, and three interceptions.

His ability to make plays with his legs adds another dimension for the Florida defense. Brown has rushed for 115 yards this season, including a 21-yard rush against Baylor, and has also scored a rushing touchdown.

“There’s no substitute for the experience he has,” Sumrall said Monday. “He’s a poised player.”

Defensive coordinator Brad White also emphasized Brown’s ability as a runner, pointing to his change of pace and ability to make defenders miss. 

That dual-threat ability can become particularly dangerous when a play breaks down. Florida’s defense will have to stay disciplined in its assignments while accounting for Brown as a passer and a runner.

Behind Brown, running back Jeremiah Cobb has provided Auburn with a consistent presence in the backfield. Cobb has carried the ball 24 times for 138 yards through two games, averaging 5.8 yards per carry. After rushing for 53 yards against Baylor, Cobb broke out for 85 yards on 12 carries against Southern Mississippi. 

White highlighted Cobb’s vision, contact balance and physicality, saying the Gators will need to maintain their gap assignments and avoid relying on arm tackles.

“They’re going to keep pushing and driving on you,” White said Tuesday.

While Auburn’s offense presents a physical challenge, the Tigers’ defense has plenty of experience creating problems for opposing offenses.

Defensive coordinator DJ Durkin has helped establish a physical defensive identity at Auburn. Over his three seasons with the Tigers, Auburn has allowed 20.3 points per game, ranking among the nation’s top defenses during that span.

That physicality starts with the Tigers’ linebackers, who have been active through the first two games.

Elijah Melendez has 18 tackles this season, including three tackles for loss and a sack. He recorded 12 tackles in the Tigers’ season opener against Baylor before adding six more against Southern Mississippi.

Safety Kaleb Harris has also been involved early, recording 10 tackles through two games. Harris had six tackles against Baylor and four against Southern Mississippi, giving Auburn two defensive players who have consistently been around the ball.

Offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner praised Durkin’s ability to prepare his defense and said Auburn’s linebackers in particular present a major challenge for the Gators.

“They’re really, really good players,” Faulkner said Tuesday. “They’re confident in what they do.”

For Florida, that confidence puts even more importance on communication along the offensive line. The Gators will need to identify Auburn’s defensive looks quickly and stay on the same page, particularly with the crowd noise potentially making communication more difficult.

Faulkner said missed identifications contributed to sloppy moments against Campbell, something Florida will need to clean up against Auburn.

Auburn’s offense and defense won’t be the only adjustment for Florida on Saturday.

After starting the season at home, the Gators will play their first road game of the season in a night game at Jordan-Hare.

For quarterback Aaron Philo, it will be his first road start. The junior has helped lead Florida’s offense through its first two games, but Saturday will bring a new challenge for the young quarterback.

“Obviously, one of the best environments in the SEC, night game on the road,” Philo said Monday. “Definitely something that we’re going to have to prepare for.”

Sumrall said Auburn has had a strong home-field advantage for a long time and expects the environment to be a significant factor.

“It’ll be loud on Saturday night,” Sumrall said. “We have to handle that challenge.”

Empower Field at Mile High sits 5,280 feet above sea level, posing a major threat to rival clubs who roll into Denver. The elevation coupled with the Broncos faithful make for an unruly environment come kickoff at 4:05 p.m. Sunday. 

After dominating in its Week 1 victory against the Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville (1-0) faces a familiar opponent. The two squared off on Dec. 21, and the Jaguars came out of Mile High unscathed, posting  346 yards of total offense in the 34-20 win. 

Here are three keys to how the Jaguars can replicate their late-season success in Week 2:

Overcome Denver’s secondary star

The Broncos (0-1) boast a tight defense that proved successful in their 2025 campaign. Denver allowed the second-worst completion percentage to opposing quarterbacks (57.8%) and the second-fewest passing yards per attempt (6.1).

Captaining the secondary stands Pat Surtain II. All the cornerback has done in his six-year career is be named 2024 Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year, have four Pro Bowl appearances and hold three All-Pro spots — first-team in 2022 and 2024 and one second-team in 2025.

Surtain has been a staple in Denver’s secondary throughout the team’s resurgence and has made game-altering plays. He lined up opposite Chiefs wideout Xavier Worthy for most of the Broncos’ 31-10 Monday Night Football loss at Kansas City. While Worthy logged just three receptions for 18 yards, there was an opportunity for him to create space against Surtain.

Worthy had the eighth-most separation across Week 1 receivers, averaging 4.2 yards per attempt (NFL NextGenStats). The Texas product also created the third-most cushion yards in the league with 9.2 per attempt. So, while Patrick Mahomes didn’t look in Worthy’s direction too much, the space was there and the Jags should attempt to replicate the concept with weapons of their own.

The Jaguars should expect Surtain to cover Brian Thomas Jr. throughout Sunday’s matchup, but the wideout can still make his mark in Denver. Although, Jacksonville is far from limited on options and will have to rely on everyone as Surtain is no stranger to lining up in various positions in the secondary.

“It’s hard to say this is the one way you attack a guy like that, because there’s so many different ways that they can play him,” offensive coordinator Grant Udinski said Thursday. “We trust our guys to go out there and win, but there is an element of being aware of a player of that caliber regardless of where he lines up.”

Jacksonville has the luxury of multiple play-makers in the wide receiver room, including Parker Washington. In the clubs’ last meeting, Washington added a career-high 145 receiving yards and a touchdown. He opened 2026 with 83 yards and a score, and stacked up to No. 37 in the league with 2.9 yards of separation. 

“Whether he was getting the ball as the number two or whether he’s getting the ball as the number one in a progression or he’s in the position he is right now, he’s still running routes as hard as he can, winning on every route, working hard after practice, first guy in the building,” Udinski said. 

Embrace the running back room

Denver came into 2026 with a much different run defense than last season. Chiefs tailback Kenneth Walker III tallied a career-high 173 yards in KC’s primetime win, exposing the Broncos’ defensive scheme. Denver held the league’s No. 2 run defense last year, averaging just 91.1 rushing yards per game. 

While the Chiefs’ backfield is nearly a one-man show, Jacksonville should use its multi-faceted one to its advantage. Three backs added at least four carries and wideouts Travis Hunter and Jakobi Meyers each logged a rush. While it is simply Week 2, there is much to uncover with the Jags’ rushing scheme and Sunday may be a good time to test the waters.

Bhayshul Tuten nabbed a team-high 15 carries, but without a solidified backfield, Udinski and Co. can keep Denver on its toes. Journeyman Ameer Abdullah proved he still has some gas in the tank and Chris Rodiguez Jr. was also successful in the position. 

Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph showed off his team’s tactics, loading the line of scrimmage for much of Monday’s contest. Walker saw eight-plus defenders in the box for 30.43% of his time on the field, which played a factor in his explosive Kansas City debut. Tuten also did well with a loaded front as Cleveland had eight-plus defenders 26.67% of the time.

Dominate in the trenches

Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen have been one of the league’s most dynamic edge rusher duos for the last half-decade, and proved that 2026 will be no different.

The pair each logged 1.5 sacks and combined for seven tackles and three quarterback hits against the Browns. Broncos quarterback Bo Nix will have to take care of the football if Denver wants to be successful Sunday. The third-year pro fumbled three times against the Chiefs, leaving the Jags’ pass rush licking their chops for the upcoming contest.

“You can count on them,” defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile said of the duo. “They played with great effort every snap and that’s the thing I was most proud of for those two guys.”

Hines-Allen is coming off an eight-sack season, but will have a difficult matchup Sunday. Denver’s front five is one of the most solid units in the NFL, boasting Pro Football Focus’ No. 2 offensive line in 2025. It retained all five starters from the last two seasons, but succumbed to the pressure against Kansas City. Nix was sacked four times and was hit on five different occasions. 

The Jaguars logged five sacks against Deshaun Watson and the Browns. If they can replicate that  success in Denver, they should be in good shape to emerge 2-0.

Just over a year later, does the phrase ring true with Golesh looking for another win Saturday over Florida at the helm in Auburn now?

As the Gators travel out to Auburn for the first road meeting against the Tigers since 2011, most of the emphasis is on the importance of a win. Regardless of which team claims victory, the winning coach will notch their first career win heading an SEC team. However, Golesh already knows what it feels like to take down an SEC opponent, having downed the Gators last year in Gainesville.

While the loss still stays poignant in the mind of Florida fans as a reminder of Billy Napier’s tumultuous time at Florida, the attention has turned to look ahead rather than looking back. For that, you can look to new Florida coach Jon Sumrall as the main motivator.

“I don’t know that that game has anything to do with this game. It’s not like it’s the revenge game,” Sumrall said. “It’s Florida’s players playing against Auburn’s players. There’s no talk this week of any other teams than those two teams.”

Coming off a 55-0 thrashing of Long Island in Week 1 of last season, Florida welcomed USF into The Swamp for the first meeting between the teams since 2022. What happened on the field left the college football world stunned. 

USF sealed one of its biggest upsets in program history by an 18-16 final on a game-winning field goal. While USF fans rejoiced, Florida fans were left scratching their heads wondering what went wrong.

Looking back to that 2025 contest, the Bulls capitalizing where the Gators fell short is what made the difference. Florida’s seven drives in the second half only yielded one score on a 4-yard slant touchdown to Eugene Wilson III, as USF’s defense halted UF drive after drive. The other overarching theme of the loss was penalties hampering the Gators, as a pair of touchdowns were called back due to two of Florida’s 11 penalties for 103 yards throughout the night.

One penalty among the slew that stands out came late in the fourth quarter, as defensive lineman Brendan Bett spat on USF offensive lineman Cole Skinner. The unsportsmanlike conduct pushed Bulls kicker Nico Gramatica 15 yards closer and possibly cost the Gators the win. Bett will line up against Skinner a year later, as the Gators take on an Auburn team that resembles USF from last year in spots.

Although the similarities between USF and Auburn are evident, Florida is looking past them. Players from last year’s squad still remember the loss to the Bulls, but they are grabbing the current matchup at hand by the horns, with a chance to right the record against Golesh. 

While Florida’s offense fizzling out and an abundance of penalties may not reappear for the SEC opener, some aspects carry over from USF to Auburn. The most notable is Byrum Brown following Golesh to become a Tiger.

Brown was one of the nation’s best quarterbacks in 2025, becoming only the 12th player in FBS history to record 3,000 or more passing yards and 1,000 or more rushing yards in the same season. Brown’s ability to be a threat through the air or on the ground gave Florida problems last year and could do so again, adding an extra facet to what UF’s defense has to contain.

Another constant is a majority of the supporting cast surrounding Brown, with USF starters in center Cole Best and receiver Chas Nimrod joining the fray at Auburn. The Tigers also added other South Florida pieces like receiver Keshaun Singleton, who caught a 66-yard touchdown from Brown in USF’s win against Florida last year.

The idea behind bringing over double-digit transfers from a previous school is not out of the ordinary in today’s day and age of college football. What is extraordinary is the coach who brought the players with him from Tampa to the SEC.

Golesh, previously the offensive coordinator at Tennessee before coaching at USF, made his return to the SEC by accepting the Auburn job. Golesh’s offensive mindset at South Florida was all about keeping up the pace, as the Bulls averaged 21.4 seconds per play last year, ranking second in all of college football. That trend carries over to Auburn, who ranked 33rd at 24.7 seconds per play previously but has sped up that mark by nearly three seconds, ranking third in college football through two games in 2026.

What also makes the matchup intriguing is the history Golesh has with Sumrall. Before becoming SEC head coaches, the pair prepared as assistant SEC coaches and head coaches in the American Athletic Conference. 

The correlations between Golesh and Sumrall persist, but a 45-10 victory for the latter in his time at Tulane over Golesh’s Bulls left a bad taste in the mouth. That means when each tries to make his mark with their first SEC win at their newest destination, all bets are off and friendships are put aside.

“I’ve got a ton of respect for Jon [Sumrall]. Did a high-end job at Tulane,” Golesh said. “He said we were friends? Not this week we’re not.”

The Florida wide receiver is listed as questionable ahead of the Gators’ matchup with the Tigers Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Singleton, an Auburn transfer, has not played since suffering an ankle injury on the first offensive drive of Florida’s season opener against Florida Atlantic on Sept. 5. He was out of the Gators’ Week 2 win over Campbell.

Now, Singleton could potentially make his return to the field against his former team.

Emmanuel Oyebadejo is also listed as questionable. The defensive lineman appeared in Florida’s season opener before missing the Campbell game.

“Both were very, very, very limited today in practice but were there. We’ll know through the week,” Florida coach Jon Sumrall said Monday. “Is there a shot? Yes. Am I ready to say they’re going to play? No.”

Singleton’s potential return would give Florida another option in a wide receiver room that has seen several players contribute through the first two games of the season.

Vernell Brown III and Dallas Wilson have led the way for the Gators through two games. Brown has recorded nine receptions for 160 yards and two touchdowns, while Wilson has eight catches for 151 yards and one touchdown.

Florida is not the only team dealing with injuries heading into Saturday’s matchup.

Auburn offensive lineman Tai Buster is listed as out, while edge Joe Phillips and tight end Hunter Herring are both questionable.

Jacksonville (1-0) flexed its muscles against the Cleveland Browns in Week 1, dominating from the jump in the 34-10 victory. While picking up a win right out of the gate is important to start the season on the right foot, Week 2 brings a much tougher matchup.

The Jaguars will face the Denver Broncos (0-1), who fell 10-7 to the Patriots in last year’s AFC Championship Game, but came out deflated on Monday Night Football against the Chiefs. Kansas City showed off its revamped run game with Kenneth Walker III racking up 173 yards and made Denver look far from a playoff contender.

Now, the Jags will travel to Mile High, which has proven a massive challenge for opposing teams. The altitude in Colorado poses a threat to a club from the Sunshine State, but coach Liam Coen said the atmosphere and rowdy fans can not rattle his team.

“I told them this morning that we have to know this plan so well that you know what the guy next to you is going to be able to do without having to say it to him or speak or talk about it,” Coen said. “That’s how well we have to be connected this week, that’s how intentional we have to be in our work and our preparation, so I’m fully anticipating a really good game from these guys.”

Denver struggled to find any semblance of offense on Monday, totaling just 176 total yards and nine first downs. On the flip side, the Jaguars came out firing against a Browns defense that was highly ranked last season. 

Coen praised quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s stellar outing in Week 1 and said his performance was a solid way to kick off the season. Lawrence tossed four touchdowns for just the fourth time in his six-year career.

“I thought he took care of the football as well on Sunday which was a huge deal for us,” Coen said. “To see him use his legs this early on is also very encouraging to see, and to let him just go play free. If we can continue to see that, that’s the consistency that we’re all looking for.”

Despite Denver’s lackluster offensive showing, there were flashes on the defensive line. Defensive end Zach Allen is coming off back-to-back, seven-plus sack seasons and picked up right where he left off on Monday. He notched two sacks against a depleted Chiefs offensive line, putting the Jags front five on notice for Sunday.

Allen, 29, was named an AP First-team All-Pro and given Pro Bowl honors in 2025. He added three quarterback hits and five tackles to his 2026 debut.

“We know last year they led the NFL in sacks … Especially when they’re at home and the guys can kind of tee off a little bit more, anticipating some of the silent cadences and counts,” Coen said. “Allen is one of the more underrated players in the National Football League, especially in his rush. He has real rush from a three-technique.”

While 2026 is a new chapter, the Jaguars are familiar with the 2025 rendition of the Broncos. The two faced off on Dec. 21 in Denver. Jacksonville won the high-scoring battle 34-20 with top-notch performances from Lawrence and wideout Parker Washington.

“It helps our players know the atmosphere and know what they’re going into,” Coen said. “I’m sure they’re looking at that game just as much as we are. For me, it’s more that we have the experience of going there and going through that trip and knowing what that’s like and the altitude and the atmosphere and having to go and play a quality opponent.”

The Great: Vernell Brown III and Special Teams

Special teams have been nearly flawless for the Gators, and that was on full display in the second quarter against Campbell (2-1). Vernell Brown III scored on consecutive punt returns of 64 and 70 yards, respectively. In a little more than three minutes, a 10-3 game turned into a 24-3 blowout. 

“Anytime you score on special teams, the percentages of you winning the game goes way up,” Florida coach Jon Sumrall said. “We scored twice, you almost have to screw it up to lose. Those were both big-time plays.”

Brown III set a program record with 173 punt return yards. He joined Jaquez Green (1996, Kentucky, 66 and 79 yards) as the only players in program history to return consecutive punts for touchdowns. 

Florida is fourth in the country in punt returns, averaging 34.6 yards per return. However, Saturday’s 7 p.m. showdown at Auburn (2-0) will test that number. The Tigers are third in the country in punt return defense, allowing an average of negative three yards per return.

Special teams coordinator Johnathan Galante’s unit has been consistent through two games. Patrick Durkin is one of 42 kickers who remain perfect on field-goal attempts, while punter Alec Clark’s 52-yard average ranks second in the nation. The only blemish was a third-quarter muffed punt by true freshman receiver Justin Williams.

“We spend a lot of time on special teams. I’m very involved in it,” Sumrall said. “Coach Galante does a great job. Our special teams coaches put in a ton of work.”

The Good: Aaron Philo’s Efficiency 

His 517 passing yards and five touchdowns through two games are one thing, but it’s the execution that stands out. For the second consecutive game, UF quarterback Aaron Philo completed 16 of his 21 passes. 

What stands out about the efficiency is that Philo isn’t relying on short passes. His 16.16 yards per completion puts him 12th nationally. Philo has maintained his accuracy when throwing deep.  

“He’s operated well. He’s been a great leader. He’s communicated at a high level,” Sumrall said of Philo. “I think we’re playing good football with him in the game right now. He’s just got to continue to get better.”

Philo’s efficiency has allowed Florida to play fast without becoming one-dimensional. The Gators have thrown for at least 300 yards in each of their first two games while also rushing for more than 200 yards in three consecutive games dating to last season.

The bigger question comes Saturday against Auburn. Florida has created explosive plays without giving up a sack through two games. The Tigers will be the first opponent to show whether Philo can maintain that efficiency against more pressure and fewer easy opportunities.

The Bad: Penalties in Second Half 

Florida’s biggest issue against Campbell had nothing to do with moving the football. The problem was self-inflicted.

Eight penalties for 95 yards marked the Gators’ highest penalty total and most penalty yardage in a game since Week 2 of the 2025 season against South Florida. Seven of those infractions came in the second half. 

A 45-3 halftime lead provided a wide margin for error, but still, the flags affected offensive production. Surrendering as many penalty yards as points scored in a 30-minute half stood out, especially against an FCS opponent. 

“We were way too sloppy,” Sumrall said. “If we play like we did in the second half, we’re about to have a real rude awakening. We have got a lot of improvement to do.”

Transfer offensive lineman TJ Shanahan Jr., who joined Florida from Penn State, was flagged twice on the opening drive of the third quarter. Holding and unnecessary roughness calls set the Gators back 25 yards and foreshadowed the rest of the half.

Concerns about the offensive line were well documented in the offseason, and for the most part, those worries had faded through the first two games. However, the group struggled with discipline in the second half when five of the eight penalties were committed by offensive linemen.

Florida’s eight infractions included four holds, two unnecessary roughness penalties, one block in the back and a roughing-the-passer penalty.

Following the 34-10 win over Cleveland, Coen addressed the media Monday and highlighted some of the standout individual performances, including Trevor Lawrence and Bhayshul Tuten, as well as the team’s effort.

“I think the guys came out and tried to do what we asked them to do in terms of starting fast,” Coen said. “Played some complementary football, which I also was harping on. Taking advantage of the opportunities we had with some of the turnovers.”

Sunday’s win was a team effort, but there were plenty of individuals who shined in their 2026 debut.

Bhayshul Tuten did much of the heavy lifting in the Jaguars’ run game, and overall it was an efficient showing led by their starting back. Tuten finished with 66 yards on 15 carries.

“Tuten ran his tail off; he ran hard,” Coen said. “I don’t think he missed many reads personally; I thought he ran through arm tackles a ton.”

The ground game was solid, but what the Jaguars managed to do in the air put points on the board.

Trevor Lawrence earned praise from Coen on Monday for his four-touchdown outing. He finished 18-of-23 passing for 245 yards and logged his 100th-career touchdown in the contest.

“It was great to see him be able to play off schedule, extend plays,” Coen said. “[That] was such a weapon for us towards the back half of last year … I know the wideouts love it because it continues to allow them opportunities to make plays down the field; the offensive line really appreciates it because now he’s moving off his spot, not just standing there like a statue, and allowing them to tee off on him.”

Rookie players also played a key role Sunday.

Nate Boerkircher played the most snaps (38) of any rookie tight end across the NFL. He caught one pass for 9 yards in the contest, but was also crucial in the team’s blocking game.

Coen said he took some pressure off starting tight end Brenton Strange, who caught two passes for 23 yards and one touchdown.

“Played a lot of snaps, did a lot of really good things in the run game,” Coen said. “It’s great to get Nate going, especially taking some of those hard downs away from Strange in some ways and be able to be at the point of attack not every single time.”

Wide receiver Josh Cameron, another rookie, also impressed Coen. Cameron had an impressive touchdown grab in traffic on a 4-yard pass from Lawrence.

“Josh obviously being strong hands, protecting himself away from the safety on the throw, that was high-level football. That’s an NFL ‘open’ touchdown,” Coen said.

The Jaguars will face their first real challenge of the season Sunday against one of the premier defenses in the NFL.

The Jaguars take on the Broncos next on the road at 4:05 p.m. Denver faces the Chiefs Monday night, giving Coen and crew less time to analyze their upcoming opponent before they face off in Week 2.

“The coaches are extremely busy looking at Denver when we played them [last year] and sort of how they looked,” Coen said. “We can look at the preseason a little bit because they have a new coordinator calling plays and what his flow looked like and some of the rhythm and ways that he called the game. But we got to wait a little bit to see what they truly look like.”

The most glaring challenge that UF’s matchup with Auburn presents is one that gave the Gators fits last year. Now helmed by former South Florida coach Alex Golesh, Auburn runs an offensive scheme that tends to leave a threat available. The Tigers often leave the backfield empty and split five receivers out, a strategy that Sumrall is keeping an eye on in Week 3.

“They have good players and they try to put some guys in space. You can’t hide guys,” Sumrall said. “They do good stuff schematically, but they have good people too, which means we have to win our one-on-one battles.”

Just as dangerous as the scheme for Auburn is the player leading charge. In 2025, senior quarterback Byrum Brown became one of only 12 quarterbacks in FBS history to throw for over 3,000 yards and run for over 1,000 yards in the same season. The USF transfer’s ability to break open a game is one that Sumrall does not take lightly heading into the matchup.

“He’s a physical guy and I think he’s just playing with confidence because he’s got a lot of time in this system,” Sumrall said. “There’s no substitute for the experience he has and he’s a poised player where there’s not a lot that he hasn’t seen.”

Another wrinkle that makes the game interesting is Sumrall’s indirect relationship with Auburn. His wife, Ginny Sumrall, is an AU alum, with a large portion of her family having a rooting interest in the Tigers for that reason. Although the house may be divided, Sumrall did not mince words about where allegiances should lie come Saturday.

“Yeah, there’s ties, but Florida pays my mortgage,” Sumrall said. “Any family that is pulling against us, they’re not my family. I don’t care what their last name is.”

As for what the Gators bring to the table, the first-year coach was blunt about what Florida needs to fix. After the Week 2 victory, Sumrall mentioned he was “uneasy” of the team’s standing heading into conference play. That feeling improved from Saturday to Monday, but was not resolved altogether.

One of the emphases postgame was about Florida’s shortcomings in the second half, only putting together seven points combined with sloppy play on the penalty front. Those aspects still stuck with Sumrall Monday, affecting his overall assessment of the 49-point win.

“I think when we rolled the depth of our roster into the game, we did not play clean football,” Sumrall said. “We have to finish on the quarterback. I’d like for us to get a lot of sacks.”

Everything was not all doom and gloom from Saturday, as a focal point of the offseason continued to shine. Georgia Tech transfer quarterback Aaron Philo added another consistent performance in the win over the Fighting Camels, completing 16 of 21 passes for 242 yards and two touchdowns.

Sumrall, who made the quarterback decision just under two weeks before the season opener, backed up Philo and what he has contributed to this point.

“He’s just the kind of guy that you like having on your side because he’s confident in nature, not easily rattled,” Sumrall said. “If he plays like he’s played through the first part of this year, he will give us a chance to win every week, and that’s all you can ask.”

Florida will need another efficient performance from the redshirt sophomore in his first effort in an SEC-on-SEC matchup. Philo is not the only one making his debut of the sort, with Sumrall also leading an SEC team into battle against a fellow member school for the first time. The importance and excitement of what the beginning of conference play brings is not lost on him.

“These games count twice. I tell our team all the time: when you turn to conference play, they count on your overall record and your conference record,” Sumrall said. “If there’s a whole lot that needs to be said to get anybody ready to go play SEC football games, we got the wrong thing going on here.”

The battle in itself also brings an interesting twist, as the rivalry runs deep between the two southern foes. Florida and Auburn had played each other every year between 1927 and 2002, but have only played four times in the 24 years since. Despite the break in frequency, there is certainly no love lost heading into the Week 3 tilt. Even more certain, there is no doubt that Sumrall is not deterred by the challenge of traveling for the road SEC contest.

“I like playing football. On the road, in a parking lot. It doesn’t matter,” Sumrall said. “It’s a hostile environment where nobody is for you really. But to me, you’re just playing a football game.”