A rematch with stakes
The 2025 season began with a jolt for Florida football when an unranked South Florida squad stunned the Gators in a home matchup, a result that rippled through the program and reshaped narratives heading into the next year.
Among those who felt the impact most acutely was quarterback Byrum Brown, who threw for 263 yards and a touchdown while adding 66 rushing yards on 17 carries. The performance not only secured a win but also cemented his belief that he could thrive against SEC defenses.
Brown has since transferred to Auburn, where he will open the season against Baylor, a game that also marks the debut of former Florida quarterback DJ Lagway. The quarterback’s confidence, forged in that earlier upset, now travels with him to the SEC stage.
The storyline deepens as Auburn’s new coach, Alex Golesh, reunites with Brown after their time together at South Florida, while Florida’s freshly appointed head coach Jon Sumrall, who once guided his team to a 45‑10 victory over USF, prepares his squad for the confrontation.
Both coaches see the upcoming meeting as more than a schedule slot; it is a chance to test the lessons learned from last year’s surprise and to shape the early narrative of their respective programs.