The No. 8 Florida Gators football team was named the Pop-Tarts Bowl Crazy Good Team of the Week on Monday after defeating the then-ranked No. 4 Ole Miss Rebels 52-28 in Gainesville, Florida. The Football Writers Association of America announced the honor on Sept. 28, 2026. Florida earned the recognition after producing 498 total yards in the victory.
The Gators rushed for 302 yards and passed for 196 yards against Ole Miss. Florida’s rushing attack was led by Jadan Baugh, who finished with 142 yards, and Duke Clark, who added 126 yards. Baugh and Clark became the first Florida pair to rush for more than 100 yards in the same game since Montrell Johnson Jr. and Trevor Etienne did so against South Carolina in 2022.
Florida’s offense set the tone
Florida’s 52 points, 498 total yards and 302 rushing yards were the most Ole Miss had allowed during the 2026 season at the time. The 52 points also tied Florida’s most against a top-five team since the Gators defeated Florida State 52-20 in the 1996 national championship game. The performance helped Florida defeat a then-ranked No. 4 opponent by 24 points.
Gators defense forced two turnovers
Florida’s defense forced two turnovers and held Ole Miss to its lowest point total of the season. Jayden Woods forced a fumble at Florida’s 40-yard line with 2:47 remaining in the third quarter, and Myles Graham recovered it. Florida then extended its lead to 38-21 on the ensuing drive.
DJ Coleman created the second turnover with an interception at Florida’s 5-yard line with 2:41 remaining in the game. The award is Florida’s seventh FWAA National Team of the Week honor. It is the program’s first such honor since the Gators defeated No. 7 Utah 29-26 in 2022.
Florida turns to Missouri
Florida entered its upcoming game against No. 25 Missouri with a 4-0 record and a No. 8 ranking. The Gators are scheduled to play Missouri in Columbia, Missouri, at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC. Florida’s single-game ticket information identifies Jon Sumrall as the first-year head coach.
Florida’s listed 2026 home football games include South Carolina on Oct. 10, Oklahoma on Nov. 7 and Vanderbilt on Nov. 21. The Gators are also scheduled to play Georgia in Atlanta on Oct. 31. Those games are part of the schedule information provided with the team’s 2026 single-game ticket announcement.
FSB Take
Florida’s team award recognizes a win built on production in every phase. The Gators scored 52 points, rushed for 302 yards and forced two turnovers while limiting Ole Miss to its lowest point total of the season. The next listed challenge is No. 25 Missouri in Columbia, Missouri.
Source: Original report