Vernell Brown III’s 3-TD night leads Gators past Campbell with SEC play looming

GAINESVILLE — Slippery sophomore Vernell Brown III rekindled memories of Jacquez Green under Steve Spurrier as first-year coach Jon Sumrall’s Gators once again lit up the scoreboard the way Urban Meyer’s teams did against an overmatched opponent.

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Florida cruised past FCS Campbell 52-3 on Saturday night in the Swamp, totaling more than 50 points in consecutive weeks for the first time since Meyer’s 2009 squad opened the season with a pair of 50-point showings — as many as the Gators produced in Billy Napier’s four seasons.

During Florida’s final tune-up before the SEC opener next weekend at Auburn, Brown sparked the Gators after a tepid start. He scored touchdowns on consecutive punt returns — a first for Florida since Green performed the feat in 1996 against Kentucky.

A week after routing Florida Atlantic 66-21, the Gators (2-0) actually trailed 3-0 against the Camels, a 51.5-point underdog. But Florida soon seized control behind a three-touchdown night by Brown, another steady outing by quarterback Aaron Philo and a 100-yard effort by receiver Dallas Wilson.

“We were a little sluggish early,” Sumrall said. “Anytime you score on special teams, the percentages of you winning the game goes way up. We scored twice, you almost have to screw it up to lose.

“Those were both big-time plays.”

Sumrall also saw many flaws in the Gators, who open SEC play Saturday at Auburn.

Florida had for eight penalties for 85 yards, including seven flags for 75 yards after leading 45-3 at halftime. A week after Florida’s defense was on its heels too often against FAU, Campbell marched down the field on the opening series.

Catches of 24 and 33 yards by Stevie Keener and a four-yard run by Spencer Jones left the Camels (2-1) with first-and-goal from the Florida 7, but the Gators forced them to settle for a 29-yard field goal by Alex Crabb.

“We were way too sloppy,” Sumrall said. “That was really frustrating.”

After a short kickoff by Campbell, Florida answered with a nine-play, 56-yard drive highlighted by Philo’s 24-yard completion to Bailey Stockton that ended a 3-yard scoring run by Philo.

With his team leading 10-3, Brown took over.

“He’s an electric player,” junior edge rusher LJ McCray said.

The former Orlando Jones standout received a punt by Brandon Bowman at the Florida 36 and slipped two tackles before breaking free down the sideline and cutting across the field on his way to a 64-yard score. Brown’s scintillating run was the first touchdown on a punt return by a Florida player since Kadarius Toney against Kentucky in 2020.

“It’s more reactive than anything,” Brown said. “But just credit to my blockers. That was amazing.”

After Stockton finished off Bowman with a block, Brown high-fived him near the goal line.

A Campbell three-and-out put Bowman quickly back on the field. Under pressure again by Florida’s rush, he served up another one to Brown, this time at the Gators’ 30.

The 5-foot-11, 178-pounder broke loose and raced down the right sideline following a wall of blockers for a 70-yard score.

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The onslaught was on.

The Camels fumbled on the next series. Linebacker Myles Graham separated running back Jon Gullette from the ball while he tried to break free of defensive tackle DK Kalu. Aaron Chiles recovered the ball on the Campbell 36.

Following a 4-yard loss by Duke Clark, Philo connected with Wilson, who eluded a tackler and raced into the end zone for a 40-yard touchdown and a 31-3 Florida lead.

Brown wasn’t finished, capping the Gators’ next drive with a 14-yard touchdown on a shovel pass from Philo, becoming the first Florida wide receiver to score three times in a game since Toney, who accomplished the feat against Missouri in 2020.

With Florida leading 38-3, Wilson’s 30-yard reception to Campbell’s 4 set up consecutive 2-yard runs for Jadan Baugh, the second for a touchdown.

Wilson finished with five catches for 104 yards, his first 100-yard performance since he had 111 yards and two scores in an upset of Texas during the 6-foot-3, 218-pound sophomore’s injury-riddled first season in Gainesville.

“Dallas is a really talented player — high ceiling,” Sumrall said. “I’m excited about where he’s headed.”

Philo finished 16-of-21 passing for 242 yards and two scoring passes. With his touchdown run, the Georgia Tech transfer has accounted for seven touchdowns in two games.

The star of the FAU game, Baugh ended his night with a career-long 75-yard touchdown run to make it 52-3 and give the junior tailback 136 rushing yards and two scores on 14 carries, marking his third straight 100-yard game dating to his 2025 season-ending 266-yard performance against Florida State.

The touchdown came a week after he scored from 61 yards out.

“It’s fun to see him hit that long one,” Sumrall said.

By then, Florida’s defense had put the clamps on Campbell.

The Camels following their well-scripted 63-yard opening drive with just two series gaining more than 20 yards the rest of the night, though Campbell did have a couple of chances to put additional points on the board.

With Brown on the sideline in the third quarter after setting a school record with 219 punt return yards, UF freshman Justin Williams of Gainesville fumbled a punt on the Florida 16. But the Gators held firm and placekicker Crabb missed from 36 yards.

Facing Florida’s defensive backups late in the fourth quarter, Campbell reached the Gators’ 1. But sophomore safety Drake Stubbs forced a Taeshon Martin fumble, which sophomore linebacker Myles Johnson recovered as the Gators kept the Camels out of the end zone.

Yet, two one-sided victories, the latest a 49-point rout, felt a bit hollow to Sumrall with a visit to Auburn looming. Brown’s returns and the Gators’ offense overshadowed what the coach considered a flawed performance.

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“Where we are right now is not good enough,” Sumrall said.

Edgar Thompson can be reached at [email protected]