Jadan Baugh scores three times and Florida's rushing attack takes over as the Gators hand Ole Miss its first loss of the season.
By Anthony Sanchez | Sanchez Sideline
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida struck first in The Swamp with tailback Jadan Baugh punching in a 4-yard rushing touchdown to give the Gators the early lead.
Ole Miss soon faced fourth-and-1 from its own 35, but Florida's defense came up with a huge stop, dropping the Rebels for a 4-yard loss and forcing a turnover on downs.
Florida couldn't do much with the short field, but Patrick Durkin connected on a 39-yard field goal to extend the lead to 10–0.
Ole Miss continued to struggle offensively, while Florida's defense kept giving its offense opportunities.
The Gators had a chance to add to their lead, but Ole Miss came up with its own big fourth-down stop when Aaron Philo's pass fell incomplete.
Florida appeared to have another huge play when Vernell Brown III took a reception 67 yards for a touchdown, but the score was wiped away by a holding penalty.
Ole Miss took advantage of the field position and finally got on the board with a 36-yard field goal, cutting Florida's lead to 10–3.
Then Baugh went back to work.
Baugh Keeps Rolling
Florida put together a long drive that ended with Baugh scoring from 2 yards out, giving the Gators a 17–3 advantage.
Ole Miss answered with a field goal before halftime, but Florida's defense had controlled the first two quarters.
Halftime: Florida 17, Ole Miss 6.
The Rebels weren't going quietly.
Ole Miss opened the second half with a five-play, 80-yard drive. Trinidad Chambliss finished it himself with an 8-yard rushing touchdown, quickly cutting Florida's lead to 17–14.
Just like that, we had a game again.
Florida's response?
Four plays.
Touchdown.
Duke Clark exploded for a 45-yard rushing score, pushing the Gators' lead right back to 10 at 24–14.
Chambliss continued putting the Rebels on his back. He capped another Ole Miss drive with his second rushing touchdown, this time from 10 yards out.
Florida 24, Ole Miss 21.
The Rebels kept getting close.
Florida kept answering.
Every Ole Miss Punch Got an Answer
A huge kickoff return by London Montgomery gave Florida another short field, and Philo finished the opportunity with a 1-yard quarterback keeper.
31–21 Gators.
Then Florida's defense delivered one of the biggest plays of the game.
Chambliss was hit and stripped, with Florida recovering the fumble for the game's first turnover.
The Gators turned that takeaway into seven more points when Dallas Wilson scored on a 6-yard run, extending the lead to 38–21.
Still, Chambliss wasn't finished.
He drove Ole Miss down the field and connected with Deuce Alexander for a 2-yard touchdown, cutting Florida's advantage to 38–28.
Once again, Florida answered.
Clark broke loose for a 44-yard run, putting the Gators deep in Ole Miss territory. Philo then found Amir Jackson for a touchdown, making it 45–28 with 9:19 remaining.
At that point, Florida could smell it.
Baugh eventually put the finishing touches on the afternoon with his third rushing touchdown, giving Florida a 52–28 lead.
The Gators defense then slammed the door with another takeaway late.
Final: Florida 52, Ole Miss 28.
Florida stays undefeated at 4–0, while No. 4 Ole Miss takes its first loss and falls to 3–1. The win was Florida's first over a top-five opponent since 2018.
By the Numbers
Trinidad Chambliss: 25-of-34, 298 passing yards, 2 passing TDs; 7 carries, 44 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs.
Aaron Philo: 16-of-23, 142 passing yards, 1 passing TD; 1 rushing TD.
Jadan Baugh: 29 carries, 142 yards, 3 TDs.
Duke Clark: 12 carries, 126 yards, 1 TD.
Deuce Alexander: 7 receptions, 134 yards, 1 TD.
Florida finished with 302 rushing yards and 498 total yards. Baugh and Clark both went over 100 yards on the ground as the Gators scored touchdowns on their first five possessions of the second half.
Sanchez Sideline Game Changer
Florida's rushing attack.
302 yards on the ground.
Ole Miss knew Florida wanted to run the football.
It didn't matter.
Baugh gave them 142 yards and three touchdowns. Clark added 126 yards and another score.
Every time Ole Miss made a run and threatened to turn the game, Florida went right back to the ground and answered.
Against the No. 4 team in the country, Florida didn't just survive.
The Gators ran right through them.