AUBURN — It will be a rematch when Alex Golesh leads Auburn soccer in opposition to Jon Sumrall and Florida, because the first-time SEC head coaches make their league debuts two seasons after Sumrall beat Golesh as American Convention foes.
“If you happen to needed to have a very, actually tough morning, you would have sat with me and watched that yesterday once more, for possibly two hundredth time,” Golesh mentioned Monday. “Once more, needed to throw up.”
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Tulane, led by Sumrall, beat South Florida 45-10. It provides a reunion with revenge on the road to an already not often performed rivalry and a high-stakes SEC-opener for 2 packages underneath new coaches.
LIVE BLOG: The newest updates and highlights from Auburn soccer vs Florida
So, what’ll it take for Golesh to stay undefeated? This is our three keys to victory, forward of kickoff on Saturday, Sept. 19 (6 p.m. CT, ESPN).
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Auburn soccer’s offensive line should present it could actually maintain up in opposition to SEC competitors
Offensive line statistics are few and much between, however via two video games, Auburn’s has surrendered the second-most sacks within the league. The place has remained a query mark within the early going of Golesh’s tenure, making a standout efficiency in opposition to the Gators vital.
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Florida’s solely affected the passer such a lot in its video games in opposition to FAU and FCS Campbell, with 4 sacks. Nevertheless it’s additionally registered 38 pressures in response to Professional Soccer Focus, in addition to 14 tackles for loss.
Florida has a couple of star. What number of can Auburn soccer cease?
REQUIRED READING: Is Auburn soccer protection assembly its match in Florida RB Jadan Baugh?
Jadan Baugh will probably be a substantial burden for DJ Durkin’s protection to deal with, nevertheless it’ll additionally needed to deal with Vernell Brown III and Dallas Wilson.
The duo of receivers has mixed for 17 receptions, with 311 yards and three touchdowns, and Brown could also be extra of a menace within the return recreation, taking two punts for touchdowns and discovering 173 yards on 4 returns.
Florida broad receiver Vernell Brown III (1) celebrates with followers after beating Campbell through the second half of an NCAA soccer recreation at Steve Spurrier Area at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, September 12, 2026. Florida received 52-3[Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Between them and Baugh, that is a mixed 621 yards, practically out-gaining Auburn’s two earlier opponents (657).
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Can Alex Golesh show he is realized greater than Jon Sumrall from prior conferences?
The sport Golesh rewatched “for in regards to the two hundredth time” noticed Sumrall’s Inexperienced Wave out-gain the Bulls by greater than 300 yards, and between 2024 and Tennessee vs Kentucky — when the 2 had been a respective coordinator matchup — Sumrall’s saved Golesh in examine.
The Wildcats out-gained the Volunteers, although they gave up 461 yards, and Tulane surrendered simply 201 yards. In all, Sumrall’s groups have out-gained Golesh’s 1,140-662, and he’ll have loads of acquainted colleagues scheming up the Tigers.
“That workers, with Coach (Brad) White coming from Kentucky and my final time on this league, that is the place numerous familiarity comes from,” Golesh mentioned. “Protection coordinator at Tulane is sitting in that room. A big chunk of that workers is sitting in that room, clearly.”
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Adam Cole is the Auburn athletics beat author for the Montgomery Advertiser. He might be reached by way of e-mail at acole@gannett.com or on X, the platform previously referred to as Twitter, @colereporter. To assist Adam’s work, please subscribe to the Montgomery Advertiser.
This text initially appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: This is our 3 keys to an Auburn soccer victory in opposition to Florida
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