Sept. 22, 1999
LEXINGTON, Kty. – An offensive display could be the order of the day at CommonwealthStadiumSaturday when the No. 3 Florida Gators visit the Kentucky Wildcats in aSoutheastern Conference tilt.
Florida (3-0, 1-0 SEC), has scored 136 points in its first three gamesandranks third in the nation in total offense.
However, the defense is another story, giving up a conference-worst 325.3passing yards per game this season.
The Gators also rank at or near the bottom of the SEC in total defenseandturnover margin, leading coach Steve Spurrier to suggest that, “When you lookat the SEC statistics, the mighty Gators aren’t so mighty.”
One defensive player who has stood out for Florida is defensive end AlexBrown. Brown posted seven tackles, five sacks, two pass deflections and aninterception in Florida’s 23-21 win over Tennessee Saturday, causing concernfor Kentucky coach Hal Mumme.
“He’s a man-child,” said Mumme. “My first thought was to have one of ourscout-team linemen put on one of those dynamite vests, run right at him andblow themselves up,” he said.
The Wildcats (2-1, 0-0) have been just as explosive on offense asFlorida,scoring a total of 145 points this season.
Quarterback Dusty Bonner is quickly filling the shoes of Tim Couch, asKentucky ranks fourth in the nation in passing offense and 12th in totaloffense.
Last Saturday the Wildcats had an impressive 44-35 win over Indiana inwhichBonner completed 24 of 31 passes for 304 yards and five touchdowns.
“He’s done a nice job of operating the offense. He has obviously beenthereawhile, knows the system,” said Florida defensive coordinator Jon Hoke. “Hemakes a ton of big plays when he is running around back there. Sometimes whenhe is scrambling he is more dangerous at times than when he is in the pocket.”
Bonner has thrown for more than 300 yards and at least threetouchdowns inall three games this season.
The Gators have won 12 straight meetings between the schools, including a51-35 shootout last season in Gainesville. Florida is also 36-3 in its last 39SEC games.
