FINAL: No. 15 Florida Gators beat LIU 55-0 in season opener

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA — It wasn’t always pretty. For sure, there are things to correct. But on Saturday night in The Swamp, the No. 15 Florida Gators began the 2025 season with an easy 55-0 win over FCS Long Island University.

Sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway, slowed early in preseason practice with a calf injury, started the game and finished an efficient 15 of 18 for 120 yards and three touchdowns. He’s now 7-1 as a UF starter. Lagway played just one half Saturday.

His backup, true freshman Tramell Jones, threw for 131 yards and two scores on 12-of-18 passing in his first game as a Gator. For the most part, he was sharp.

The UF running game produced 200 yards, 104 coming on only nine carries from sophomore back Jadan Baugh. He had one touchdown and a long rush of 26 yards.

True freshman Vernell Brown III was one of the stars of the night for UF. He became just the third true freshman receiver in school history to start a season opener. Brown finished with three catches for 79 yards, which included a spectacular one-handed grab that covered 41 yards. He also had two punt returns for more than 20 yards.

Meanwhile, the UF defense held LIU to a grand total of 86 yards and two first downs. Junior safety Bryce Thornton recovered two fumbles, returning one for six to kick off UF’s scoring in the first quarter.

Florida now owns a five-game winning steak dating back to last season. That is the longest in the SEC.

Below is a breakdown of the action from Saturday’s game. Meanwhile, we encourage you to join the discussion with other Florida fans on the Swamp Talk message board in our LIVE GAME THREAD.

FOURTH QUARTER

—True freshman Tramell Jones has thrown his second TD pass of the game, an 11-yard completion to receiver Taylor Spierto. Jones is 12 of 18 for 131 yards and two scores. SCORE: FLORIDA 55, LIU 0

—Gators kicker Trey Smack just attempted what would have been career-long 57-yard field goal. It had the distance but missed after hitting the left upright. He’s 2 for 5 tonight.

—The Gators have a 358-47 edge in total yards as we begin the fourth quarter.

THIRD QUARTER

—True freshman Tramell Jones has thrown his first TD pass as a Gator — 4 yards to tight end Tony Livingston. The drive covered 64 yards in six plays. Jones now is 7 of 8 for 79 yards. SCORE: FLORIDA 48, LIU 0

—UF has allowed only 44 yards on 30 plays.

—The Gators were just forced to punt for the first time tonight. Michigan transfer Tommy Doman’s first kick as a Gator went for 47 yards to the LIU 11. No return.

—Trey Smack just made a 41-yard field goal to cap an eight-play, 43-yard drive. Gators starting quarterback DJ Lagway appears to be done for the night. True freshman Tramell Jones was in for this drive. He went 3 of 3 for 28 yards. SCORE: FLORIDA 41, LIU 0

SECOND QUARTER

—DJ Lagway has TD toss No. 3 tonight. He also just went over 2,000 career passing yards. The TD strike went to UCLA transfer J.Michael Sturdivant on an eight-yard completion. It was a six-play, 75-yard drive. SCORE: FLORIDA 38, LIU 0

—With 79 yards receiving, Vernell Brown has the most yards ever at UF by a true freshman receiver making his first start.

—The Gators just forced punt No. 6. LIU has one first down with 1:59 left to play in the first half.

—The Gators have 118 rushing yards on only 16 carries at the moment.

—DJ Lagway just threw his second TD pass of the game, this time with a 4-yard completion to tight end Hayden Hansen. Lagway now is 11 of 14 for 70 yards and two touchdowns. SCORE: FLORIDA 31, LIU 0

—The UF defense is keeping up the pressure on LIU. The Sharks just gained five yards in three plays and had to punt for the fifth time in the game.

—The Gators now have a 120-18 edge in total offense after nearly 23 minutes of play.

—After the turnover, the Gators scored three plays later on a 4-yard touchdown pass from quarterback DJ Lagway to receiver Eugene Wilson in the corner of the end zone. It was Lagway’s first touchdown throw of the season and 13th in his UF career. The three-play drive covered 10 yards. SCORE: FLORIDA 24, LIU 0

DJ Lagway to Eugene Wilson for the score

Florida up 24-0 over LIU pic.twitter.com/XUDBAd6mtq

— Blake Alderman (@Blake_Alderman) August 31, 2025

—LIU has fumbled and Gators safety Bryce Thornton has his second recovery of the game, at the Sharks 10. Second forced turnover by UF tonight.

—UF’s Trey Smack just missed a 39-yard field goal. He’s now 1 of 2 on the game after making 18 of 21 in 2024.

—UF true freshman receiver Vernell Brown III returns a punt 20 yards to go along with his 21-yard return earlier.

—UF just forced a three-and-out for the LIU offense — again. Sharks have only 29 yards of total offense.

—UF’s Trey Smack just nailed a 56-yard field goal, the longest of his career. That capped a drive that saw UF not gain a yard in four plays. Gators have 73 yards of offense. SCORE: FLORIDA 17, LIU 0

FIRST QUARTER

—UF just forced a third straight three-and-out for the LIU offense.

—After a Gators drive stalls at the LIU 22, Trey Smack missed a 40-yard field goal for UF. Sloppy series at the end.

—UF true freshman receiver Vernell Brown III just returned his first punt as a Gator for 21 yards.

—The Gators just forced another three-and-out. Sharks have 26 total yards on nine plays.

—Running back Jadan Baugh scores UF’s first offensive touchdown of the season on a 4-yard run. He had 44 yards on four carries during the drive. The 66-yard series covered six plays. SCORE: FLORIDA 14, LIU 0

—Florida’s first offensive play of the season loses 5 yards and quarterback DJ Lagway is sacked. On play No. 2, running back Jadan Baugh picks up 16 yards and a first down.

—The Gators just forced a three-and-out on LIU’s second series. So far, the Sharks have 21 total yards.

—The Sharks [Chris Howell] fumbled on their third play of the game; Gators safety Bryce Thornton picked up the ball and went 37 yards untouched for a touchdown. The fumbled by caused by UF linebacker Jaden Robinson. SCORE: FLORIDA 7, LIU 0

Early action 💥 @Brycethornton_2 all the way for 6️⃣ pic.twitter.com/4xHRwMOVNa

— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) August 30, 2025

—Florida won the toss but will defer to the second half. The Gators will defend the south end zone.

*This story will be updated often.