Florida football opened their 2025 campaign with a 55-0 win over Long Island University on Saturday night inside the sold-out Swamp. Week one’s contest marks Florida’s first shutout since 2021 vs Vanderbilt and the most points scored under head coach Billy Napier.
It only took 79 seconds for the Gators to find the scoreboard, and they didn’t even start with the football. Junior linebacker Jaden Robinson forced a fumble on the third play from scrimmage, resulting in a 37 yard scoop and score touchdown for junior defensive back Bryce Thornton. Thornton’s fumble recovery for a touchdown marks the first of the Napier era.
After forcing their first three and out of the game, Florida leaned on sophomore running back Jadan Baugh, who rushed the ball four times for 44 yards on the Gators’ first offensive possession. Baugh capped off Florida’s six play, 66 yard drive with a four yard touchdown run.
The Gators’ offense struggled over the next three drives, settling for three field goal attempts while converting only one of them. Senior kicker Trey Smack missed from 39 and 40 yards but logged a career long 56 yard field goal to put Florida up 17-0 to start the second quarter.
Florida quickly got the ball back after safety Bryce Thornton jumped on his second fumble of the game, giving UF the ball at the 10 yard line. Thornton is the first Gator to record two fumble recoveries in a game since defensive tackle Gervon Dexter did so vs. FAU in 2021.
Sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway proceeded to find a wide open Eugene Wilson III for an impressive four yard touchdown catch, extending Florida’s lead to 24-0. This was the first of three straight touchdowns for Florida’s offense.
Florida recorded touchdown drives of 88 and 75 yards to end the first half, using just six plays in under two minutes on both possessions. Florida’s 38 points at halftime was the most in a single half under Napier.
Wide receiver Vernell Brown III became just the third freshman in Florida program history to log his first career start in a season opener, joining Antonio Callaway (2015) and Percy Harvin (2006). Brown III went on to be one of, if not the most productive player in Saturday’s contest, hauling in three receptions for 79 yards in the first half alone. That included his best Odell Beckham impression, a 41 yard one handed catch down the sideline. Brown III’s 79 receiving yards is the most ever by a Gator freshman in his first career start. The speedy and instinctive receiver also logged two punt returns of 20+ yards in the first 30 minutes.
The Gators’ defense held LIU to just one first down in the first half, and it was the second play of the game. Florida’s defense wasn’t on the field for more than three plays a possession in the first half. They held the Sharks to 36 total yards while forcing two turnovers and six punts.
Florida removed nearly all their starters in the second half but the dominance continued on defense. The Sharks did not record their second first down until 9:20 remaining in the game, and that would be the only other first down recorded by LIU’s offense in a dominant shut out by Florida’s defense. The Gators held LIU to 86 total yards and recorded seven tackles for loss.
Freshman QB Tramell Jones Jr. started the second half for Florida, ending DJ Lagway’s night with a significant lead in tact. Lagway completed 15 of 18 passes for 120 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions.
Jones Jr. led Florida to back to back scoring drives to open the second half, which included his first career touchdown pass, a four yard connection with junior tight end Tony Livingston. The freshman ended the game with an 11 yard strike to Taylor Spierto with 25 seconds remaining for his second touchdown pass of the game. Jones Jr. finished 12-18 passing for 131 yards and two touchdowns.
The Gators outgained LIU 451-86 in the contest. Florida improves to 1-0 on the 2025 season.
KEY STATS
Offense
QB DJ Lagway: 15-18 passing, 120 yards, three touchdowns
QB Tramell Jones Jr: x-x passing, xx yards, one touchdown, xx rushing yards
RB Jadan Baugh: Nine carries, 104 yards, one touchdown.
WR Vernell Brown III: Three receptions, 79 yards, long of 41.
WR TJ Abrams: Two receptions, 53 yards.
TE Hayden Hansen: Three receptions, 27 yards, one touchdown
Defense
LB Myles Graham: Five tackles, one TFL
Edge Kamryn James: Five tackles, 0.5 TFL
LB Jaden Robinson: Four tackles, two TFL, one FF
DB Bryce Thornton: One tackle, two FR, one TD
Edge George Gumbs Jr.: Two tackles, 1.5 TFL, one QBH