Had you not seen a football game all season, you may not have believed the Kentucky Wildcats were a 3-5 team heading into a primetime kickoff with the University of Florida. The Cats punched early and
often in a game that was never a contest, winning 38-7.
Not only did Mark Stoops’ team come out and find a way to win, but they also humiliated a program with a long history of spanking Kentucky annually. It was a complete 180 from what it felt like to be a Kentucky football fan just two weeks ago.
I can only assume that most fans have been rid of their apathy and are ready to lock in for the final three games of the season. That Louisville game on 11/29 to end the season is starting to look awfully tasty.
Five things to know after Kentucky beats Florida like a drum in a game that won’t soon be forgotten.
Culture Implications.
Despite the two teams having just six combined wins, Kentucky’s November matchup with Florida had cultural implications for both programs. Coming off a respectable win at Auburn, Mark Stoops had the opportunity to build some unexpected momentum while presenting signs of stability with consecutive SEC wins.
On the other side of the field, anyone who follows football knows the University of Florida isn’t going to accept mediocrity. Arriving in Lexington with a 3-5 record is far from the expectations in Gainesville. Losing to Kentucky would be pouring salt in the wound, considering what a disastrous season it’s already been for Gator Nation.
The result: A Big Blue Butt-Whippin.
Before this game, you could have easily convinced me that the Cats found a way to claw their way to victory against Florida, but I wouldn’t have believed the result would be a 38-7 win.
First-half insanity.
If you tuned into Saturday night’s game expecting to kick back and relax, you were slapped in the face with what was one crazy two quarters of football.
How crazy? Seven turnovers are crazy.
The Big Blue Nation was treated to what you could argue was the best offensive half of the Mark Stoops era. The Cats put up 24 points, but a late-half blunder prevented adding to the impressive total. Brad White’s defense went bonkers, picking off Florida’s DJ Lagway three times while holding him to 83 total passing yards.
Cutter Boley, on the other hand, tossed two touchdowns and was dealing under center in the first two quarters. To live in a world where Kentucky dominated Florida 24-7 in the first half of a football game was pretty neat.
Despite the turmoil that this season has produced, it was a special moment watching the Cats pummel a historic powerhouse like Florida.
Brad White’s defense goes back-to-back.
The Wildcat defense followed up its dominating performance on the road last week at Auburn by completely dismantling the Gators in mirroring fashion. It was impressive enough holding the Auburn Tigers to just three points on their home field, especially considering they put up 38 today at #16 Vanderbilt, but to come out and shut down Florida the same way was remarkable.
Despite losing three starters early in the game to injury, Brad White found a way to make it work and make it work well. Alex Afari Jr, Sam Greene, and Jordan Lovett all missed the second half, and Kentucky didn’t miss a beat.
If I’m being honest….. I’m now very anxious to make it to November 22nd for Kentucky at Vanderbilt in what looks like a much more exciting match-up than it did two weeks ago.
I’m trademarking “Cutter Bowly.”
Kentucky football fans have watched their freshman quarterback continue to develop throughout this season. Tonight, the hometown kid did incredible things inside Kroger Field in front of what I’d consider some of the most loyal members of the Big Blue Nation.
There was a point in the first half where Boley was so locked in and slinging darts across the field that the Florida defense looked helpless. He started the second half taking the Cats on a seven-plus-minute drive, resulting in a Seth McGowan walk-in touchdown that gave Kentucky a commanding 31-7 lead.
The balanced attack was a sight for sore eyes. Kentucky gashed Florida with big running plays and threw the ball effectively all night long. This offense may have turned the corner tonight.
Six wins are within reach.
Believe it or not, it’s time to talk bowl scenarios concerning the 4-5 Kentucky Wildcats.
Assuming UK takes care of business next week against Tennessee Tech, they’ll need to find a way to beat #16 Vanderbilt or #15 Louisville on the road in their last two remaining games to lock in six wins. You have to give props to Mark Stoops, the coaching staff, and these players for staying bought in and righting the ship when not many believed they could do so.
Can you imagine the Cats traveling to Louisville for the last game of the season, needing a win to become bowl eligible?
That could be exactly where we’re heading….
Bonus: Louisville lost to Cal.
Time to celebrate! Go Cats!!
