Florida football will open the Jon Sumrall era on Saturday, Sept. 5, when it hosts Florida Atlantic at The Swamp in Gainesville. Both programs are coming off 4-8 seasons from the previous year. Head coach Zach Kittley leads FAU into the matchup, while new Gators head coach Sumrall was hired Nov. 30, 2025, to revive a program that has endured four losing seasons in five years.
Game Details and Broadcast Information
The game is scheduled for Saturday at 7:45 p.m. ET from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (The Swamp), which has a capacity of approximately 88,548 seats. The event has been announced as a sellout, marking the 19th straight home game to reach that status.
The broadcast will air nationally on SEC Network for Week 1 of the college football season. Matt Schumacker and Aaron Murray will call the action from the booth, with Taylor Davis working the sidelines. Fans can also stream the game via ESPN+ or Fubo, which offers a free trial for new subscribers, a story we covered in Jon Sumrall Demands Toughness as Florida Gators Football Enters New Era.
Coaching Changes and Team Expectations
The Gators are looking to establish themselves under Sumrall and his staff, led by former Georgia Tech offensive coordinator Buster Faulker and former Kentucky defensive coordinator Brad White. "This fan base is passionate," Sumrall said in a statement regarding the upcoming season. "Championships are the standard and expectation. We’ve got to get it back there. We’ve got to wake this beast up, confirmed by Florida Gators Preview."
Florida is seeking its first SEC championship since 2008, which was also the year of their last national title. The Gators hold a perfect 4-0 all-time record against FAU. In their most recent meeting on Sept. 4, 2021, Florida defeated the Owls 35-14 in Gainesville, as we reported in Jon Sumrall Demands Toughness as Florida Gators Football Enters New Era.
FAU Offensive Threats and Betting Odds
The Owls return starting quarterback Caden Veltkamp, who recorded 3,641 passing yards with 24 touchdowns and 17 interceptions in 2025. They also feature standout receiver Easton Messer, who had 104 catches for 1,052 yards and six touchdowns last season. FAU's passing offense ranked first in the FBS during the previous year at an average of 340.7 yards per game, Orlando Ledger reported.
Odds from BetMGM as of Sept. 4 list Florida as a -26.5 point favorite with an over/under of 58.5 points. The moneyline is set at Florida -5000 and FAU +1800. Predictions suggest the Gators will establish the run early, with quarterback Philo throwing three touchdown passes in his debut.
