ATLANTA — Florida’s 27-8 loss to No. 3 Georgia highlighted the gap between Jon Sumrall’s Gators (5-3, 3-3 SEC) and Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs (7-1, 5-1), the reigning two-time defending SEC champions.

Sumrall’s team enters November looking to finish the season strong, but the Gators have plenty to address before hosting Oklahoma next Saturday at the Swamp.

Here are five things learned during Saturday’s loss.

The Gators’ quarterback situation remains fluid

Neither Aaron Philo nor Trammel Jones Jr. did enough good things to secure the starting role, according to Sumrall.

Philo earned the start against Georgia after missing the Texas game with a shoulder injury. He also performed well at practice leading up to Saturday, Sumrall said. Jones, meanwhile, was injured during Florida’s 27-24 upset of Texas, sidelined during the bye week and limited in practice leading up to the Georgia game.

But two interceptions by Philo in three series, which led to 10 Georgia points, prompted Sumrall to insert Jones.

The 6-foot, 196-pound sophomore made some pinpoint passes, but struggled with his pocket presence while taking four sacks. He committed two costly turnovers.

A fumble led to a 66-yard scoop-and-score by Bulldogs’ star linebacker Chris Cole late in the second quarter extending the Bulldogs’ lead to 24-0. Jones later threw an interception in the end zone from the Georgia 3, ending any chance for a miraculous comeback with five minutes to go in the third.

“That was another big momentum shift,” Sumrall said. “(We) scored there, we’re going to go for two, try to climb our way back in that thing. That took the air out of us a little bit, because it was a missed opportunity.”

Sumrall, though, stuck with Jones.

During his first collegiate start, Jones made critical plays during Florida’s win at Texas. Sumrall was curious whether he could deliver against the SEC’s best defense.

“I just wanted to see Tramell play some extended football there,” Sumrall said. “I just want to see how it goes.”

Jones led a fourth-quarter scoring drive, capping it with a 2-yard TD run on fourth down. He finished 18-of-25 for 172 yards, while Philo completed 5-of-7 passes for 26 yards.

The competition for the starting job will continue in the coming days, with a decision expected mid-week.

“Who gets more with the ones is usually something we deem Tuesday, Wednesday about who’s handled the game plan install better,” Sumrall said.

Injured receiver Vernell Brown III suffered a setback

Receiver Vernell Brown III missed his fourth straight game with a knee injury suffered Sept. 26 against Ole Miss.

The sophomore standout appeared to be on track to return before reaggravating his right knee during Wednesday’s practice, Sumrall said.

“Monday, Tuesday, he looked like old VB3,” Sumrall said.

At the time of his injury, Brown led Florida with 17 catches for 271 yards, while scoring four touchdowns — two on punt returns.

Leading up to the Texas game, the former Orlando Jones standout appeared close to returning, but still seemed off to Sumrall during pre-game warm-ups.

After he tweaked his knee this past Wednesday, Brown experienced swelling. By Friday, it became unlikely he would play.

“Just wasn’t able to get back to where he was earlier in the week,” Sumrall said. “It’s really frustrating. He hates it. He’s frustrated. I’m frustrated for him.

“He’s trying like hell to get back.”

The Gators wasted a strong defensive effort

Ranked last in the SEC through six games, Florida defense built on a breakout performance at Texas with another sound day against Georgia.

After holding the Longhorns to 278 yards, the Gators limited Georgia to 318.

Florida didn’t rattle Gunner Stockton the way it did Arch Manning, against whom the Gators recorded five sacks. Florida managed just one sack Saturday. The defense did recover a fumble that gave the offense possession at Georgia’s 48 during the Gators’ touchdown drive.

“It wasn’t enough,” Sumrall said. “Still has to be better than what it was, because they scored more points than we did.”

Georgia, however, scored 17 points off turnovers by Philo and Jones, putting additional pressure on Florida’s defense.

Still, the performance offered something to build on, particularly after the season’s first six games.

“I feel like we’re all headed in the right direction now,” said safety DJ Coleman, who forced the fumble Myles Graham recovered. “Everybody’s on board with the plan, and we’re seeing more of the results.”

Sumrall seeks more Bailey Stocktons

Bailey Stockton didn’t practice all week after suffering a foot injury against Texas. The injury appeared certain to sideline the receiver Saturday.

But the Georgia native, who grew up in Bogart about 75 minutes east of Atlanta, and Georgia Tech transfer, refused to sit out.

With Brown’s availability uncertain, Stockton decided he needed to play. After head trainer Paul Silverstri fitted him with insoles, Stockton ran routes Friday following two weeks of rehabilitation.

“I said, ‘What do you think?,'” Sumrall recalled. “‘I’m ready to play. Let’s go.'”

Stockton led Florida with eight receptions for 76 yards, including 41 after catch, and had 31 yards on two punt returns.

“We need to recruit more dudes like that,” Sumrall said. “Tough guys in this game, they win. I love Bailey Stockton. I’m very grateful for his determination to try to find a way to play.”

Sloppiness continues

Penalties and costly mistakes continue to undermine Sumrall’s team.

Florida was penalized eight times for 78 yards and committed four turnovers.

Against a team as talented as Georgia, the Gators effectively gifted the game to the rival Bulldogs.

“They didn’t need our help tonight, but we gave it to them, too, and they won the game,” Sumrall said. “The Gators didn’t help the Gators enough tonight.”

A roughing-the-punter call on walk-on receiver Jaden Edgecombe proved a major turning point. The play came after Georgia went three-and-out, extending the Bulldogs’ possession.

“They’re not going to get a touchdown there off that drive if we don’t rough them,” Sumrall said.

Florida also committed several procedural penalties that backed up the offense — against a talented Georgia defense in a game with little margin for error.

“I feel like we’re good enough to beat anybody,” Stockton said. “We’ve proven that, but we’re just beating ourselves right now.”

Sumrall himself was flagged for sideline interference after Philo’s second interception near the Gators’ bench.

“Head coach is a dumbass,” Sumrall said. “I wanted to run out and make the freaking tackle. Don’t have that kind of speed anymore, but I just lost my mind and was ready to go walk out on the field, and for a second, probably lost my cool.”

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

Up next

What: Oklahoma (4-4, 2-3 SEC) at Florida (5-3, 3-3)

When: 7:45 p.m., Saturday

Where:Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville

TV: SEC Network

Favorite: Florida by 4 points

Source: Yahoo Sports