![Florida running back London Montgomery (24) celebrates during the second half an NCAA football game against Mississippi at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, September 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_3000,h_1687/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ReutersImages/mmsport/213/01m3hcwcv6b7fc4cjqne.jpg "Florida running back London Montgomery (24) celebrates during the second half an NCAA football game against Mississippi at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, September 26, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]")
To say that special teams weren’t very special in recent years is an understatement. Forget the Gators making big plays because they fair-caught everything; we got to the point where we were breathing a sigh of relief just because Florida got 11 players on the field.
So, somewhat lost in Florida’s offensive explosion was the fact that Florida’s special teams were downright dominant and all afternoon long the unit helped flip the field on Ole Miss.
Florida special teams provide a hidden edge for the Gators
Among the special teams highlights were a long kickoff return by London Montgomery, a punt return by Bailey Stockton, a 49-yard field goal by Patrick Durkin, and even Alec Clark, who had a booming 70-yard punt that pinned Ole Miss on the two-yard line.
Sumrall noted after the game the advantage the unit brought throughout the game:
“I think we won the special teams battle. You could tell that we put a lot of emphasis on it. I think we practiced with probably as much did detail as anybody in America on special teams. I take it very seriously. It's part of who we are. It's what we're gonna be about.
We put great players on special teams too. We don't just, like, whoever. You gotta earn the right to play through playing special teams on offense and defense here.”
Imagine that: attention to detail on special teams. Who would have thought?
But it also highlights an early litmus test for Sumrall that his predecessor failed. There are some areas, such as size along the offensive line, that take time for a coach to build up when he inherits a new program. But organization on special teams should be an automatic checkbox that any coach should be capable of.
But Sumrall and crew are being more than just organized in his debut season; he is turning returns into a genuine moment of opportunity. At some point down the line, Florida is going to be in a tight game where a huge return can swing the momentum.
Don’t sleep on the punt from Clark either, because we would assume there is also going to be a game down the line where Florida’s offense runs into at least a hint of resistance. Having someone who can boom it 70 yards and flip the field from anywhere is a valuable safety valve to have in the back pocket.
Again, we used to celebrate having eleven players on the field.
How far we have come in just a few months.
Add us as a preferred source on Google