AUSTIN, Texas – Don’t believe everything you read.
That was essentially the unspoken mantra that Florida football had begun to develop after the last two straight blowout losses.
And running back Jadan Baugh has been seeing all the media criticism as the Gators seemed to be spiraling after a hot 4-0 start.
“The main thing we have to do is not look at the press clippings, looking at the internet,” Baugh said. “Two weeks ago, they wasn’t saying anything good about us. They were just saying, oh, you’re washed. This and that.”
Baugh silenced his critics with a game-sealing touchdown in the 27-24 upset victory over Texas. That touchdown came moments later, after the wind was knocked out of him.
“We see it,” Baugh said. “I definitely see it, but I just don’t look at it. I feel like it drives me a lot more.”
The Gators’ defense felt much of the same sentiment as they were ranked 113th in points allowed per game, 110th in total offense allowed, and 131st in passing yards allowed entering the matchup.
Linebacker Myles Graham has heard and seen it too.
“It was just everybody in the building versus the world,” Graham said. “As we came, like we started off high, and then we dropped two, and now like back against the wall.
“Really, just believing in ourselves. Really, just all the naysayers, you know, talking down on us.”
Graham delivered the final blow to Texas with a strip sack. It was the final of five of sacks against quarterback Arch Manning.
“We didn’t have a whole lot of brand new fancy calls today,” Florida coach Jon Sumrall said. “You know what our guys did? They executed them with more detail, more urgency, more violence, more strain. They finally took it upon themselves to play with the mentality.”
After two straight weeks of criticism, Florida proved it could play all-around complementary football. Notably, it did so without some of its key offensive stars, including quarterback Aaron Philo.
Suddenly, Florida has a 5-2 record and a resume that includes wins over two top-10 teams. Yet Sumrall isn’t buying into the latest headlines.
“We’re not a complete team yet,” Sumrall said. “It does nothing for us. What it does for us, it gets us another win. But the thing it does more than a ranked win or a road win or whatever those stats are, what it does for me, it gives me belief and hope that our guys understand you have to fight your tail off every time you play the game. Doesn’t matter who you play, where you play, when you play, you have to fight. And if you do not fight, you will get embarrassed.
“You got to bring it every freaking Saturday. I’m just glad our guys brought it.”
Regardless, Florida still has its goals ahead of it, and another opportunity for a major upset looms as the Gators, hopefully healthy by then, face rival Georgia in two weeks.
“Man, it’s the opportunity of a lifetime,” Graham said. “This is the game you come here to play. Honestly, these are the games you dream of. If you make big plays in that game, you’re special. And so, this is a game that we’re really looking forward to.”
Reach Florida Gators writer Andrew Abadie at AAbadie@usatodayco.com or on X (formerly Twitter) at @AndrewAbadie. You can also find him on Facebook at Andrew Abadie Sports Reporter or on Instagram @andrewabadie_sports.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Why Florida football has renewed belief after Texas upset
