No. 11 Kentucky Falls to Florida on Saturday
Kenny Minchey passed for 181 yards and a touchdown, but No. 11 Kentucky lost to Florida 21-14 on Saturday night at Kroger Field.
Kentucky (7-3, 5-3 Southeastern Conference) was unable to get much going on offense in Saturday’s game. UK had 242 yards for the game, but only 61 yards on the ground.
Florida (6-4, 4-4) got the ball first and the Gators were able to make two first downs, but the UK defense forced a punt and the Cats took over at their own 14 with 9:52 to play in the first quarter.
Kentucky’s first drive saw the Cats methodically march down the field to put points on the board. Minchey connected with D.J. Miller for a 21-yard completion and later, Minchey found Kenny Darby for 13 yards. On third-and-on from the five yard line, Minchey hit C.J. Baxter for a touchdown, completing a 15-play drive. Adam Zouagui added the point after and UK led 7-0 with 1:32 to play in the first period.
As the first quarter came to an end, Florida crossed midfield into UK territory for the first time in the game. As the second quarter began, UK’s Lorenzo Cowan sacked Florida quarterback Aaron Philo for an 11-yard loss. Florida punted the ball back to the Cats, who took over at their own 16 with 13:49 left in the half.
The Cats would get an 18-yard completion from Minchey to Miller and, two plays later, Minchey connected with Willie Rodriguez for 13 yards, getting Kentucky across midfield. However, the drive stalled and the Cats punted it back to the Gators, who took over at their own 20 with 9:24 left in the half.
The Kentucky defense forced a three-and-out and the Gators punted. Kentucky took over at its own 45 with 8:30 left in the half.
Kentucky made one first down on its next drive, but the Cats were eventually forced to punt. Florida took over at its own 17 with 6:20 remaining in the half.
The Gators would make two first downs on their next drive, getting near midfield. However, the Cats’ defense stopped the drive and Florida punted the ball away. Kentucky took over at its own four yard line with 3:33 to play in the half.
UK was pinned deep in its own territory and, on a third down play, the Cats were called for holding in the end zone, resulting in a safety, which made the score 7-2 with 2:06 remaining in the half.
Kentucky kicked it back to Florida and the Gators were able to make two first downs before punting again. UK took over and ran two plays before the half ended with the Cats ahead 7-2.
The Cats got the first possession of the third quarter and on the second play, Minchey was sacked and fumbled. Florida recovered at the UK 30 yard line and took over with a short field ahead of them. The Gators covered those 30 yards in seven plays, ending with a one-yard touchdown run by Jadan Baugh. Philo rushed for a two-point conversion and Florida led 10-7 with 10:06 left in the third quarter.
Florida attempted an onside kick but Kentucky’s Brock Coffman recovered at the UF 45 yard line. On the second play of the drive, Minchey connected with Jason Patterson for nine yards and a first down. On the next play, Minchey and Rodriguez connected for a 24-yard completion, getting UK to the Florida eight. Three plays later, Minchey scored on a one-yard touchdown run and the Cats took the lead back. Zouagui added the point after and Kentucky led 14-10 with 7:20 to play in the third.
The Gators would put together a scoring drive of their own on the ensuing possession. Florida covered 56 yards in nine plays, ending with a 37-yard field goal from Patrick Durkin, which cut the UK lead to 14-13 with 3:16 left in the third quarter.
Kentucky went three-and-out on its next possession and the Cats punted the ball back to the Gators, who took over at their own 32 yard line with 1:38 left in the quarter. UK would hold that one-point lead after three quarters.
Florida would mount a 14-play, 67-yard scoring drive, ending with a two-yard touchdown rush from Philo. The Gators went for two and converted it on a pass from Kahlell Jackson to Dallas Wilson, giving Florida a 21-14 lead with 9:08 to play.
The Cats responded with a drive into Florida territory. Minchey and Rodriguez connected for 15 yards and Minchey found Miller for 29, getting UK to the Florida 26. However, the drive stalled and on fourth down, Minchey’s pass fell incomplete. Florida took over at their own 25 with 5:29 to play.
Florida would drive into UK territory but eventually turned the ball over on downs. UK took over at its own 36 but could do nothing with the drive, and the Gators ran out the clock.
Kentucky returns to action next weekend, visiting Missouri in Columbia. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. and the game can be seen on the SEC Network.
