FINAL: Kentucky 38, Gators 7

What Happened

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Once upon a time, not so long ago, playing a road game at Southeastern Conference foe Kentucky was nothing more than a weekend pleasure trip for the Gators. There was nothing fun about what happened at Kroger Field on Saturday night if you were on the Florida sideline.

Kentucky blitzed the Gators for 21 points in the second quarter and never looked back in a 38-7 runaway victory. The Wildcats (4-5, 2-5) snapped a 10-game home losing streak to SEC opponents, defeating a conference opponent at home for the first time since their 33-14 win over the Gators two years ago. Add the 2021 loss at Kroger Field to the list, and Florida (3-6, 2-4) has dropped three consecutive road games against Kentucky and five of eight overall since a 31-game win streak in the series was snapped in 2018.

Wildcats quarterback Cutter Boley was 14 of 19 for 150 yards, completed 11 consecutive passes during one stretch, threw two touchdowns and had an interception in the first half to put Kentucky up 24-7 at the break. Meanwhile, UF quarterback DJ Lagway was 11 of 19, one touchdown and three interceptions in the first half. That prompted Gators interim head coach Billy Gonzales to replace Lagway with freshman Tramell Jones Jr. at the start of the second half. Jones finished 9 of 17 for 60 yards.

"Obviously, it wasn't anywhere close to what we wanted,'' Gonzales said. "Not acceptable in any terms to take a loss like we did."

Trouble started for Florida when it drove to the Kentucky 44 on its opening drive, the big play a 22-yard pass from Lagway to receiver Vernell Brown III. However, three plays later, Lagway was picked off by Wildcats defensive back Ty Bryant, who returned the interception 17 yards to midfield. The Wildcats took advantage of the turnover with a 10-play, 30-yard drive that ended with a 39-yard field goal by Jacob Kauwe for a 3-0 lead.

Kentucky delivered the Gators a return gift later in the first quarter.

Florida took a 7-3 lead after Rocco Underwood covered a muffed punt by Kentucky's Ja'Mori Maclin at the Wildcats' 13. Three plays later, Lagway connected with running back Jadan Baugh for a 10-yard scoring pass.

However, the Wildcats soon grabbed control when a KD Daniels fumble was recovered by Cam Dooley with 9:43 left in the first half. Boley hit J.J. Hester for a 29-yard touchdown for the go-ahead score, and he connected with Jason Patterson for a 15-yard scoring pass and a 17-7 lead. Before the first half was over, the Wildcats added to their lead on a 2-yard touchdown run by Seth McGowan. McGowan added a 5-yard run in the second half, and Dante Dowdell capped the rout with a 65-yard touchdown scamper in the fourth quarter.

What it Means

Florida's season faces a different challenge with three games remaining — including home contests against traditional rivals Tennessee and Florida State. When it was revealed on the SEC Network's telecast that UF sophomore receiver Tank Hawkins had opted not to play Saturday to maintain redshirt status this season, it raised eyebrows considering the Gators were already without injured receivers Eugene Wilson III, Dallas Wilson and Taylor Spierto. Keeping the team together has been a talking point since the midseason coaching change, and as the losses pile up, that can become more difficult.

In the Spotlight

Making his 16th career start on Saturday night, Florida quarterback DJ Lagway was benched for the first time in his college career at the start of the second half. Lagway threw three interceptions in the first half and struggled to make on-target throws. The benching is the latest development in what has been a disappointing season for the sophomore from Willis, Texas. He missed the bulk of spring camp and preseason camp due to a variety of injuries and has been unable to duplicate his success from a season ago when he led the Gators to six wins in his seven starts.

Staggering Statistic

Florida entered the game ranked 129th among 134 FBS teams in third-down conversion rate, converting at a measly 30.4% (31 of 102) clip after going 2-for-11 in the loss to Georgia. What did the Gators do on Saturday night at Kentucky? They converted 5 of 7 third downs in the first half — and trailed 24-7. Go figure.

Up Next

Florida (3-6, 2-4) is back on the road again, this time for what figures to be a fascinating date at Ole Miss, chock full of pregame storylines and speculation (see Kiffin, Lane). The Rebels (9-1, 5-1) crushed The Citadel 49-0 on Saturday and remain in contention for a College Football Playoff berth. Meanwhile, the Gators must win to avoid a winless season away from The Swamp.

Email senior writer Scott Carter at scottc@gators.ufl.edu. Find his story archives here.

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