Jon Sumrall will only get one first-ever SEC conference game as a head coach and the Florida Gators made sure he was a winner, taking down Auburn 44-39, winning in the Plains for the first time since 1999.
There was a lot to be happy about, namely the dominant running game led by Jadan Baugh and the efficiency and toughness shown by quarterback Aaron Philo. The defense created a lot of havoc and forced Auburn into an early turnover that Florida immediately capitalized on with a touchdown. And with that being said, here are the winners and losers from Week 3:
Winner: The big plays came at the perfect time
In a perfect world, a team will get no less than five explosive plays a game, and you want them to come at the biggest moments. Whether it was Duke Clark's 20-yard touchdown run, Baugh's touchdown runs of 38 and 53 yards or the 48-yard double pass that Amir Jackson would've scored a touchdown on had Kahleil Jackson put a little more touch on it. It was the kind of all-action offense that Gator fans have been waiting a while for, but will have to wait no longer.
Winner: The depth on offense continues to develop
The wide receivers were going to be decent and they are. That unit will get considerably better when Eric Singleton returns too. But it's the running game and the emergence of Clark that has me excited. Jadan Baugh is great and there's no question about that. But the best way to guarantee that Baugh can be at his best all season is to have a quality backup that can spell him. Clark has shown himself to be that guy.
Winner: Hello pass rush, nice to meet you
The 44-39 score makes it seem like the game was a little more of a shootout than it was. Florida went on a 17-0 run in the third quarter to take a 34-17 lead and from that point forward, Auburn was chasing the game. But even if the point total bothers you, the pass rush should've excited you. Seven sacks. Jayden Woods and Emmanuel Oyebadejo had 2.5 sacks apiece, while Jaden Robinson and DK Kalu also got in on the fun.
Loser: There were so many "flags on the play"
16 penalties for 138 yards is not going to be a winning formula week-in and week-out, especially when the Gators face a more structured team like Texas. Some of the flags were not ideal and others were the product of an officiating crew that was a little eager. Still, there is plenty for the Gators to clean up, and it's something that Sumrall will make a point of because there's a big difference between giving Auburn extra chances and giving Ole Miss extra chances.
Loser: Is Alex Clark even on the team?
This is kind of a fun one, but let's not get on Clark too badly for his 28-yard punt. The guy barely plays, and he had just one punt Saturday. The less Clark is involved, the more successful the offense is, but you assume they'll get wrapped up in a field-position game soon enough and that's when Clark will need him to show up.
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