The Florida Gators are ready to kick off their 2025 campaign against Long Island. Florida head coach Billy Napier seeks to win his first season opener since 2022, when the Gators defeated then-No. 7 Utah 29-26. Follow along for updates throughout the contest.
FINAL: Florida 55, Long Island 0
SCORING PLAY: Q4 | 0:25 - Florida quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. connects with Taylor Spierto for an 11-yard score.
Q4 | 8:26 - The Sharks recorded their second first down of the game. Their initial first down occurred on the first drive of the game but was quickly followed by a fumble.
Q4 | 14:17 - Florida running back Duke Clark gets the first down on third-and-one. Gators have passed the midfield mark and are positioned 49 yards out from the end zone.
END OF THIRD QUARTER: Florida 48, Long Island 0
SCORING PLAY: Q3 | 2:03 - Gators quarterback Tramell Jones finds tight end Tony Livingston for a four-yard touchdown pass. That's Jones' first touchdown of his career.
Q3 | 3:48 - After another three-and-out by the Sharks, Florida quickly works its way to the red zone after a 32-yard pass by Tramell Jones to TJ Abrams.
Q3 | 5:01 - Florida punted for the first time this contest. Gators punter Tommy Doman booted it 47 yards.
Q3 | 7:52 - Florida forces another three-and-out and will begin its next drive at the 34-yard line.
SCORING PLAY: Q3 | 10:53 - Florida kicker Trey Smack's field goal is good from 41 yards out. He's made two of his four attempts.
Q3 | 14:45 - True freshman Tramell Jones Jr. is in at quarterback for the Gators.
HALFTIME: Florida 38, Long Island 0
SCORING PLAY: Q2 | 0:10 - Florida quarterback DJ Lagway connects with J. Michael Sturdivant on an 8-yard fade for six. Florida leads 38-0.
Q2 | 0:55 - Florida wide receiver Vernell Brown III makes an acrobatic catch, leaping in the air and sprawling for a pass that looked well-beyond his reach. However, the freshman receiver comes down with the catch one-handed for a 41-yard gain.
Q2 | 1:28 - Florida quarterback DJ Lagway looks for J. Michael Sturdivant, but LIU defensive back Jalen Bell interferes with Sturdivant, leading to a 15-yard pass interference penalty. Gators are positioned on the 49-yard line.
Q2 | 1:59 - The Sharks go three-and-out yet again. LIU punter Will Lynch's kick soars 41-yards and is fair caught by Gators wide receiver Vernell Brown III at the 26-yard line.
Q2 | 3:23 - The Sharks begin their drive at the 25-yard line. LIU returner Cory Nichols elected to fair catch the kick off.
SCORING PLAY: Q2 | 3:26 - Florida quarterback DJ Lagway finds Hayden Hansen at the back right corner of the end zone for another score. Gators lead 31-0.
Q2 | 5:16 - Gators running back Jadan Baugh with a 26-yard gain on the ground. A face mask penalty adds 15 yards to the end of the run.
Q2 | 6:17 - Sharks kicker Will Lynch pins the Gators back on the 12-yard line. The punt was 58 yards long.
SCORING PLAY: Q2 | 7:04 - Florida quarterback DJ Lagway perfectly tosses a fade to Eugene Wilson from four-yards out of the end zone for a touchdown. Gators kicker Trey Smack's PAT is good. Florida leads 24-0.
TURNOVER: Q2 | 8:28 - Sharks quarterback Ethan Greenwood attempts to pitch the ball and Florida defensive back Bryce Thornton recovers. Florida is set up 10-yards out from the end zone.
MISSED KICK: Q2 | 9:21 - Florida kicker Trey Smack misses a 39-yard kick to the right of the goalposts. He missed a 40-yarder earlier but nailed one from 56-yards out.
Q2 | 11:18 - Florida quarterback DJ Lagway connects with freshman receiver Vernell Brown III for a 24-yard gain.
Q2 | 12:55 - The Sharks' drive stalls out after three plays. Gators wide receiver Vernell Brown III returns it to the UF 42-yard line for a 20-yard return.
MADE KICK: Q2 | 14:47 - Florida kicker Trey Smack boots one through the goal post from 56 yards out. Florida leads 17-0.
END OF THE FIRST QUARTER: Florida 14, Long Island 0
Notes: Florida running back Jadan Baugh has dominated the offensive attack for the Gators and has logged five rushes for 48 yards and a touchdown. Gators quarterback DJ Lagway is 5-of-6 in the air for 23 yards.
Q1 | 0:55 - The Sharks' drive is quickly stalled. After a 35-yard punt, the Gators begin their next drive on the LIU 38-yard line.
MISSED KICK: Q1 | 3:13 - Florida's drive stalls out at the 22-yard line after quarterback DJ Lagway is tripped on third down. Gators kicker Trey Smack lined up for a 40-yard attempt and missed to the left of the goalposts. LIU begins their drive on the Gators' 22-yard line
Q1 | 6:52 - Florida wideout Vernell Brown with a 23-yard punt return to set up the Gators on the LIU-42 yard line to begin the next drive.
Q1 | 9:19 - Sharks quarterback Ethan Greenwood can't find any breathing room on the ground. He gains just two yards on a QB run.
SCORING PLAY: Q1 | 9:29 - Gators running back Jadan Baugh shakes off multiple defenders and punches it into the end zone on a 4-yard gain. Florida leads 14-0 following a successful PAT from Trey Smack.
Q1 | 10:26 - Gators running back Jadan Baugh logs back-to-back explosive runs. The first moved Florida 16-yards up the field. Now, the Gators are positioned on the 22-yard line following a personal foul penalty.
Q1 | 11:50 - Long Island's punt lands at the Sharks' 34-yard line. The punt traveled 37 yards. No return.
Q1 | 12:01 - Sharks quarterback Ethan Greenwood runs up the middle for a 5-yard gain on third down. Greenwood fell a yard short of the first down. It's fourth down.
SCORING PLAY: Q1 | 13:41 - Gators linebacker Jaden Robinson punched out the ball from Sharks quarterback Chris Howell and UF defensive back Bryce Thornton returned it for a touchdown. Gators lead 7-0.
Kickoff: Florida kicker Trey Smack's kickoff lands beyond the end zone. Long Island will begin with the ball on the 25-yard line.
Coin flip: Florida has won the coin toss and elected to defer to the second half. The Gators will defend the south end zone.
Pregame: A slew of Florida players did not dress during pregame and will be OUT for tonight's contest. Notable names include: Freshman wide receiver Dallas Wilson, senior defensive lineman Caleb Banks, redshirt sophomore Aidan Mizell, sophomore LJ McCray and junior linebacker Grayson Howard.
Luke Adragna is working his fifth semester at The Alligator and returns as the Summer 2025 assistant sports editor. In his free time, he enjoys hanging out with his cat Pete and researching niche professional athletes (shoutout Jacquizz Rodgers).
