Rapid reaction: Florida escapes with 14-9 win over Kentucky in Lexington
Here are some quick thoughts from Florida’s 14-9 road win over Kentucky:
What it means: Florida keeps its streak against Kentucky, pushing it to 29 games. The Gators escape with a 14-9 victory to improve to 3-0 and 1-0 in the SEC. The Wildcats, now 2-1, are left shaking their heads wondering what it will take to ever beat Florida.
What I liked: Florida coach Jim McElwain stuck with his starting quarterback, Will Grier, despite the offense sputtering in the first quarter (zero completed passes). Grier settled in and made plays with his legs to make up for poor protection and offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier gradually got more creative with his play-calls in the second quarter. UF’s front seven absolutely dominated the UK offensive line, putting pressure on QB Patrick Towles and containing the run all night.
The Kentucky defense put previous second-half struggles behind them and made big plays in the final two quarters against the Gators. The Florida defense put the team on its back, keeping the Wildcats out of the end zone.
What I didn’t like: Both offensive lines got dominated, particularly in the first half. The Gators shot themselves in the foot multiple times with easily avoidable penalties (delay of game, 12 men on the field). Florida could never quite put the game away, leaving empty on two trips to the red zone and going three-and-out after the Wildcats cut it to 14-6. The Gators did not score in the second half.
Who’s the man: Grier was clearly in some discomfort as he delivered a gutsy performance on the road in a hostile environment even when his offensive line failed him. The redshirt freshman quarterback’s 12 carries for 61 yards led all Florida rushers.
Key play: This one went down to the wire. It wasn’t over until CB Quincy Wilson made the game-saving interception for the Gators with 46 seconds left.
What’s next: Both teams will play SEC East foes next week. Florida puts another streak on the line when it hosts division rival Tennessee, who hasn’t won against the Gators in 10 years. Kentucky looks to get back on track against Missouri.
Some key games to play huge roles in the division race next week.
Congrats, Gators. 3-0.
I’d love to see what all the analysts who bet on Kentucky would like to say now.They made Florida the underdog with all the trash they were talking.
It’s not like you powered your way to some dominant win in a statement game. This was anyone’s ballgame, right down to the last series. I’d imagine they’d say, ‘We weren’t far off, and if not for one or two different breaks we would have been spot on. Get used to this game being a dog fight, in case you haven’t learned anything the past two years.
I wouldn’t say it’s as close as you’re putting either. Kentucky didn’t score a TD all night. You won’t beat Florida kicking field goals inside the 5.
9/10 analysts hopped over to Kentucky, everyone thought they were going to win that game, and they could’ve. They didn’t, a win is a win and I’d like to see how they shed their comments.
What?? But Kentucky fans said they were gonna win this time… LIARS!!
So clutch having a defense that is good enough to win our at least keep us in games while our offense develops..Well so far
Exactly. Going to help soooo much. That defensive line…man, it’s nasty. And we have a lot of experience on the line, decent amount of talent, especially Jon Toth at center. But that rotation is just a constant barrage of speed and swim moves, lol..
Good win Gator fans. I was straight up wrong, thought UK would finally end it, lol ugh. Not afraid to admit it.
Florida has one hell of a defense. Before the game, I respected Florida’s talent and thought they were a good squad obviously, but didn’t think the offense would do what it needed to do to have a say in the SEC East division race. Wrong there too, they do. I believe most of the trouble that the Gator offense has, that defense will be able to make up for it.
Good win. Feel like there’s a lot of good ahead of us though this year with the friendly schedule UK has. Had so many opportunities, just didn’t convert them. That Dorian Baker TD drop will bother me for a while. Towles was off his accuracy at times tonight as well, in the worst of moments, but I can’t blame him too much considering the UF D-line was on him all night for six sacks, not to mention so many good throws that were just straight up dropped.
Feel good about where the program is at, loved the showing at Commonwealth today. Looking forward to seeing the boys take this hurt out on Mizzou next Saturday night.