Kentucky Dominates 22 Florida in 33-14 Route

Kentucky Dominates 22 Florida in 33-14 Route: Makes It Three-Straight Victories Over the Gators

The Kentucky Wildcats have officially accomplished something against the Florida Gators that they haven’t done since 1951 (when legendary college football head coach Bear Bryant was at the helm for the Wildcats): Kentucky Dominates 22 Florida in a 33-14 route, making that three years in a row. 

Kentucky not only beat the Gators for a third consecutive season, they dominated them in a 33-14 route in Lexington. 

This is officially unfamiliar territory for Florida, as Kentucky used to be the game the Gators would dominate in. Since 2018, though, when Kentucky ended the 28-game winning streak Florida had against them, the times have changed, as Florida is now 2-3 against the Wildcats over the last five matchups.

Here are my takeaways from what was a downright brutal performance by the Gators and an impressive performance by the Wildcats.  

Kentucky RB Ray Davis Torches the Gators’ Defense 

I highlighted him as a Kentucky player to watch for against Florida, and it’s safe to say Kentucky RB Ray Davis made his presence felt against the Gators. 

Davis rushed for 280 yards on 26 carries and three touchdowns, including a 75-yard TD run in the second quarter. Davis also caught a nine-yard receiving touchdown. 

Davis’s 280-yard rushing performance is the third most in a game in Kentucky school history, and the second most rushing yards Florida has ever allowed in school history. The Gators’ defense had been ranked number one in the SEC in yards per game allowed at just 244.8 yards per game. Davis had more yards than that, rushing the ball on his own.

Florida’s defense struggled mightily all game long to bring Davis down to the ground, who made the first and sometimes even second defender miss on what seemed like every run he had for the Wildcats. The Gators were flagged for an illegal substitution penalty when they tried to keep Davis from scoring with 13 defenders on the field.

Davis scored away, and the penalty was declined. It was just that kind of day for Florida’s defense. 

Changes Have to be Made to the “Game Changers” Coaching Staff  

No moves will be made in-season by the Gators, but something has to change with the special teams (aka Game Changers) coaching staff. In every game the Gators have played in, the special teams unit has made errors or had procedural penalties called against them in big spots since Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier arrived in Gainesville. 

Late in the first quarter against Kentucky, when the Gators were down 10, it was true freshman CB Dijon Johnson being called for a leaping penalty on a punt block attempt that gave Kentucky an automatic first down after the Gators defense forced Kentucky’s offense to go three-and-out. 

On the very next play, Ray Davis scored his 75-yard rushing TD to make it 16-0 Wildcats. 

At some point, enough has to be enough with the self-inflicted errors/penalties from a unit that Napier said just last week was improving despite having penalties called against them in the Charlotte matchup. 

Florida’s Offensive Line Struggles and Gets Banged Up 

Ever since the Tennessee game, the Gators’ offensive line has just not dominated as they did against the Vols. 

Florida QB Graham Mertz was under duress very often against the Wildcats, with him being sacked three times.

Florida also only managed to get 69 yards rushing, proving that Kentucky’s rigid rushing defense (which was only allowing 77.5 rushing yards per game) was the real deal after some discredited it due to who the Wildcats had played prior to the Gators.

Starting left tackle Austin Barber was injured in the game but did return shortly after. The Gators can not afford to lose Barber for any amount of time. 

Kingsley Eguakun was back starting at center after he did not have an injury designation on the weekly depth chart that was released Thursday. That said, Eguakun did not play well against Kentucky, having a penalty called against him and almost causing a fumble on a mistimed snap. 

Eguakun also went down with an injury in the fourth quarter. He has been dealing with a nagging foot injury since Fall camp and it has hampered him this season. 

Florida not only needs their starting offensive linemen to stay healthy, but they need better play out of the unit as a whole. Being consistently inconsistent up front is not going to cut it moving forward if Florida wants to win any more games. 

Road Woes Continue for the Gators 

Saturday’s loss to Kentucky not only means it’s three-straight losses to the Wildcats, but it’s also the 15th road loss for the Gators in their last 17 road contests. 

The Gators only won one road contest all of last season and are now 0-2 on the road, with road trips to South Carolina, LSU, and Missouri still on deck.

The Gators can keep protecting The Swamp like they, for the most part, have under Napier, but it won’t mean anything significant if they can’t win on the road. 

WR Caleb Douglas Out for “Significant Chunk of Time” With Lower Leg Injury 

Florida WR Caleb Douglas (4) – Ashley Hicks/Florida Independent Alligator

After making his great catch that he nearly scored on for the Gators against Kentucky in the final minutes of the first half, WR Caleb Douglas went down injured and appeared to have his left ankle landed on by the Kentucky DB that was covering him. Douglas got up and walked to the locker room under his own power but didn’t return to the game for the Gators. 

Napier confirmed in his post-game press conference against Kentucky that Douglas will be out “for a significant chunk of time.” However, Napier did add that Douglas will not need surgery. 

This is unfortunate for Douglas who not only has made some big plays for the Gators this season, but he was primed to have a great sophomore season. This injury derails that campaign. 

As far as who will replace Douglas while he is out, look for true freshman WR Andy Jean to fill in and start in place of Douglas. Jean is another promising true freshman WR that Florida hopes can bud into a star. 

WR Eugene “Tre” Wilson Late Scratch Prior to Kickoff Against Kentucky 

Speaking of wide receiver injuries for the Gators, freshman phenom Eugene ‘Tre’ Wilson, like Kingsley Eguakun, was listed as a starter and did not have an injury designation when the weekly depth chart was released on Thursday. 

However, Wilson did not appear in the game against Kentucky. 

Napier explained the situation in his post-game press conference following the Kentucky loss. 

“We didn’t feel good about putting him out there,” Napier said. 

“After evaluating him in pregame, it wasn’t in his best interest as much as maybe he wanted to go. I think we made a decision that he wasn’t ready.” 

Florida desperately needs Wilson back in the starting lineup, especially with Caleb Douglas now being out for a significant amount of time. 

Final Thoughts and Who’s Next For Gators 

Florida losing to Kentucky for a third consecutive year is something that just simply isn’t supposed to ever happen. In year two of Napier’s regime, losing to Kentucky once again is worrying, but at the same time, not very surprising. Mark Stoops has a great program in Lexington, and from the early snaps of the game, he just wanted it more than Florida did.

They overpowered the Gators’ offensive and defensive lines all game long. That isn’t a talent disparity issue; that’s an effort issue. The schedule doesn’t get any easier for the Gators, but they do have 2-4 Vanderbilt coming to The Swamp for Homecoming next Saturday. The Commodores did defeat the Gators last season 31-24, but this game should be a get-right matchup for the Gators.

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