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Since 1953 the mark for all-time wins at the University of Kentucky in football, set by legendary coach Bear Bryant, has been left untouched. Saturday, Mark Stoops passed Bryant on the UK all time wins list, becoming the winningest football coach in school history. After Kentucky beat Florida on the road this weekend, it looks as if Stoops’ win total will only continue to rise this season.
After the Cats handled Miami (Ohio) last weekend, they arrived in The Swamp as 6-point underdogs. The 6-point spread was likely slightly inflated due to Florida’s surprise win over #7 Utah at home last Saturday. The big win over Utah launched Florida into the national media spotlight throughout the week, with QB Anthony Richardson the focal point. Richardson drew comparisons to college football legends Cam Newton and Dak Prescott throughout the week. The win also earned the team a national ranking of #12, setting the stage for a SEC matchup between two top-20 teams under the lights in Gainesville.
Game Summary:
The first quarter displayed solid defense for both Kentucky and Florida, as the only points were by a 39-yard field goal by Florida kicker, Adam Mihalek. The second quarter saw a combined score of 26 points by both teams, as the offense on both sides started to move the ball more consistently. The highlight of the quarter was a 55-yard touchdown pass to UK Freshman WR Dane Key from QB Will Levis. Florida collected a 11-yard rushing touchdown from RB Trevor Etienne (brother of Jacksonville Jaguars RB Travis Etienne) who also added a catch on a successful 2-point conversion. Florida kicker Adam Mihalek nailed a 50-yard field goal, and Florida added 2 points via a safety from Kentucky’s special teams unit. Kentucky also collected a 1-yard rushing touchdown from QB Will Levis to close out the half (PAT attempt failed due to low snap) thanks to a timely interception by Senior LB Jordan Wright.
The scoring flurry brought the half time score to 16-13 Florida. The third quarter saw Kentucky tie the game with a short 24-yard field goal by kicker Matt Ruffolo. During the next Florida drive, QB Richardson telegraphed a screen pass to Kentucky DB Keidron Smith (transfer from Ole Miss) who took the interception 65 yards for the go-ahead touchdown, putting Kentucky up 23-16 at the end of the third quarter. In the fourth quarter the pressure to overcome the deficit was too much to overcome for Florida QB Richardson.
The quarter saw him go just 5 for 12 passing for 38 yards. Kentucky pushed across a 26-yard field goal in the quarter to make it a two-score game and seal the road victory for the Cats. Overall, this game was dominated by UK DC Brad White’s athletic and veteran defense. Led by the linebacker group, the discipline to contain the scrambling Florida QB Richardson was on sparkling display as Richardson finished the game with 6 carries for just 4 rushing yards.
The UK offense executed in the second half, running the ball much better than the previous 6 quarters of football to begin the year (Kavosiey Smoke finished with 14 carries, 80 yards). Will Levis made accurate and timely throws to move the offense in critical spots while displaying his NFL arm talent on the second quarter touchdown to Key.
Kentucky gets prepared for a Mark Stoops homecoming game this Saturday as FCS Youngstown State heads to Kroger Field (kickoff set for 12:00 p.m. ET).
