Coming off his
UF seeks 32nd straight win against Kentucky
5-TD performance last week, UF QB Feleipe Franks brings a newfound level of confidence into tonight’s SEC opener against Kentucky in the Swamp.
GAINESVILLE — One game cannot erase an entire miserable season. One win can, however, ease four decades of futility.
After a breakout performance against Charleston Southern, UF redshirt sophomore quarterback Feleipe Franks can move on, confident better days loom ahead.
Meanwhile, Kentucky coach Mark Stoops is stuck in the past until his team beats the Gators, who last lost to the Wildcats in 1986.
The key now for Franks is to build on a flawless five-touchdown pass first half, beginning tonight in the Swamp when the No. 25 Gators (1-0) host Kentucky (1-0). The defensive-minded Stoops wants to force Franks back into the bad habits that led to a nightmarish 2017 season, including his benching against the Wildcats.
Franks watched from the sideline a season ago as Luke Del Rio replaced him and rallied the Gators to a 28-27 win. Stoops saw his defense twice leave receivers uncovered, including on Del Rio’s game-winning touchdown pass in the final minute to Freddie Swain, to extend Kentucky’s losing streak against UF to 31 games.
“We’ve had plenty of opportunities since I’ve been here,” said Stoops, now in his sixth season.
The Wildcats always seem to find a way to squander their chances for an elusive win.
Kentucky led UF 20-3 in 2014 in the Swamp before losing in triple overtime. Last season in Lexington, the Gators erased a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit.
Earlier in last year’s game, UF receiver Tyrie Cleveland also scored when Kentucky left him uncovered, an oversight Cleveland had never experienced.
“Since I’ve been playing football, that is the first one ever in my career,” he said this week.
If the talented Franks has found his footing with new coach Dan Mullen, Kentucky may have lost its best opportunity to end the nation’s longest skid against the same opponent.
Franks endured a difficult 2017 season and barely edged Kyle Trask to win the 2018 starting job. But in the opener, Franks showcased his strong arm and surprising foot speed, along with much-improved decision making.
“I think if there’s any indication of the first game, he’s improved from last year,” Kentucky defensive coordinator Matt House said.
No one needed a jolt of confidence against Charleston Southern more than Franks.
“It’s very, very critical to their success, especially for a young player,” UF quarterbacks coach Brian Johnson said. “The more success you have, and get off to a good start, it becomes contagious throughout the game. It becomes contagious to your teammates.
“I think it definitely shows throughout the entire team when you get off to a good start playing at the quarterback position.”
Franks was composed and on-point from the outset to lead UF to a 38-0 halftime lead and become the first Gator with five touchdown passes in a half since Rex Grossman in 2000.
The Gators clearly took advantage of undermanned defense, yet also capitalized on an opportunity. Several big-name teams, including in-state rivals Florida State and Miami, ended Week 1 facing question marks and criticism.
UF’s offense, on the other hand, found its stride in Mullen’s spread offense, with Franks leading the way.
Mullen said Franks is not getting ahead of himself, though.
“His job is to manage the game and to execute what we call, and he understands that,” Mullen said. “We talk about, you’re as good as your last play and you’re only going to be as good as your next play.
“Everything he did last week, none of that has any effect on what’s going to happen on this week’s game.”
Unlike Charleston Southern, Kentucky will field a talented and experienced defense featuring eight returning starters, led by outside linebacker Josh Allen, who had seven sacks in 2017, and safety Mike Edwards, who led SEC defensive backs in tackles the past two seasons.
Last September, the unit forced three straight incompletions in the third quarter from Franks to force him to the bench.
“I'm not too much focused on last year and what happened last year,” he said Monday. “I'm more focused on just next week.”
The Wildcats, a 14.5-point underdog, want to move forward following a shaky 35-20 win at home against Central Michigan to open the season.
Kentucky committed four turnovers and benched quarterback Terry Wilson, who had three of them, for fellow sophomore Gunnar Hoak.
Gators nickelback Chauncey Gardner-Johnson believes whoever lines up at quarterback will be the latest Kentucky signalcaller to lose to the Gators.
“It’s 31, right?” GardnerJohnson said of the streak. “It’ll be 32 after Saturday.”
Franks is feeling confident himself after last weekend. Rather than make predictions, the 20-year-old plans to sticks to the process, take another step and continue to put last season to rest.
“I think I’m getting there,” he said. “It doesn’t happen overnight. I feel more comfortable in [the offense] than I was in the summer and than I was in the fall, and then, I feel more comfortable in it than I was Saturday.
“I’m just trying to progress every day.”