Gators prefer to avoid another late escape
GAINESVILLE — Florida’s last two visits to Kentucky ended in dramatic comeback wins for the Gators. Dan Mullen’s squad would like to find an smoother path to victory Saturday night.
But rarely is anything easy anymore against coach Mark Stoops’ program. No longer SEC pushovers, the Wildcats once again feature a strong running game, physical offensive line and seasoned defense sure to test the 2021 Gators’ toughness during their first conference road game.
No. 10 UF at Kentucky Where: Kroger Field When: 6 p.m. TV: ESPN Radio: ESPN FM 98.1/AM 850 WRUF, Sirius/ XM Ch. 106/235 Weather: 75 degrees, 25% rain chance Favorite: UF by 8 Online: orlandosentinel.com/gators; @ osgators on Twitter.
Quick slant: The Gators have won their last three visits to Lexington by a combined 14 points, including 29-21 in 2019 to extend their winning streak in the Bluegrass State to 16 games. Mullen is 11-2 in true road games with the Gators and 10-2 overall against Kentucky. The Wildcats serve as SEC West crossover opponent to Mississippi State, Mullen’s former school.
Coaches: Dan Mullen, fourth season, 32-10 (101-56 overall), Mark Stoops, ninth season, 53-50.
About UF (3-1, 1-1 SEC): The Gators average 540.8 yards, including an SEC-leading 322.5 on the ground. Last week against Tennessee, quarterback Emory Jones generated 353 yards of total offense, 209 passing and 144 rushing. Tim Tebow is the only other Florida QB since 1996 to throw for 200 yards and rush for 100 in a game. The Gators defense has allowed an average of 19.8 points, 12 fewer than 2020. End Zach Carter has 4.5 of the team’s 15 sacks a season after he recorded five during 13 games. All-SEC cornerback Kaiir Elam (knee) is probable to return after sitting out against Tennessee and will look to bolster a Gators’ pass defense yielding four plays longer than 40 yards the past two games. About Kentucky (4-0, 2-0 SEC): The Wildcats have added some flair to their physical style with a pair of transfers, quarterback Will Levis (Penn State) and receiver Wan’Dale Robinson (Nebraska). SEC leading rusher Chris Rodriguez Jr. (130.5 ypg) allows Levis to use play action to attack downfield, but he has 5 interceptions. Robinson has three 100-yard receiving games and ran for 73 yards on 3 carries against Missouri. Athletic senior end Josh Paschal leads a solid defensive front while J.J. Weaver is disruptive off the edge. The duo has combined for 9.5 tackles for loss. The anchor of the unit, though, is linebacker DeAndre Square. Coordinator Brad White called him “the heartbeat of the defense.” Square’s 24 tackles lead the Wildcats.
3 things to watch
1. UF run game. The Wildcats’ defense yields 87.5 yards per game and 2.89 yards per carry — nearly five fewer than UF’s nation-leading average of 7.46 per carry.
2. Turnovers. Kentucky has an SEC-worst minus-9 turnover margin after committing three and forcing none during a 16-10 escape at South Carolina. The Gators’ minus-3 turnover margin ranks 11th in the 14-team league.
3. UF backup QB Anthony Richardson. When healthy, the 6-foot-4, 236-pound redshirt freshman has been Florida’s most explosive player. Richardson scored 3 touchdowns longer than 70 yards against FAU and USF but sat out past two games with a hamstring injury.