Inside the Numbers: Florida’s 27-game winning streak vs Kentucky at stake

Saturday night in The Swamp marks the commencement of Florida’s 2014 conference schedule as the Kentucky Wildcats come into Gainesville looking to end their nearly three decade drought against the Gators. Before Saturday’s kickoff, let’s look inside the early season numbers for the Gators.

THE GOOD

655: Total yards racked up by the offense in Kurt Roper’s first game. It’s just the 17th time in school history that the Gators have eclipsed 600 yards on offense.

27: Straight games in which Kentucky has fallen to Florida. The last time the Wildcats beat the Gators came on Nov. 15, 1986. Since then there’s been five different U.S. presidents. Safe to say, UK is desperately looking to end the streak this weekend.

3: Big passing plays of more than 40 yards against Eastern Michigan. In the last two years combined, the Gators had only recorded 9 passing plays of 40-plus yards.

THE BAD

2: Season-ending injuries so far for the Gators in 2014. Tight end Jake McGee broke his leg and freshman cornerback JC Jackson will have shoulder surgery to repair his labrum.

10: Penalties committed by Florida in their season-opener. In just 12 games last season, Florida had the second-most penalties in the SEC with 89, behind only LSU who committed 90 penalties in 13 games.

86: Tackles for loss allowed by the Gators’ offensive line in 2013. Facing Kentucky’s Bud Dupree, Jason Hatcher, Za’Darius Smith and others, you can bet the O-line will be tested throughout the game on Saturday.

Drew Laing

Drew Laing will be providing analysis and insight on Florida, Georgia, Missouri and South Carolina.