The table is set for UK to win. Now it’s all about execution.
In college football, the series between the Kentucky Wildcats and Florida Gators is somewhat of a broken record. The Gators haven’t lost to the Wildcats since a blustery cold November day in Lexington back in 1986. Florida over Kentucky is the longest in-conference winning streak in SEC history.
The two teams will meet again Saturday night at Kroger Field in Lexington—a venue that’s going to be rocking after Kentucky’s notable 23-13 victory against South Carolina in Columbia last Saturday night. Yours truly will be one of the approximately 61,000 in attendance.
Will the Wildcats stop the streak? I see three factors in the Wildcats’ favor.
Motivation
Last year UF absolutely demolished UK, 45-7. During that game, UK’s Drew Barker completed more passes to the Florida secondary (three interceptions) than to his own receivers (two completions for 10 yards).
UK certainly wants to wipe away the memory of last year’s trouncing and end the Gators’ 30-game streak. But the Wildcats want something that’s even more important–grabbing the lead in the SEC East division race.
Courtesy: Courier-Journal
The stark reality is that Kentucky football has been disrespected for a very long time. Take, for example, what happened last Saturday night. The Gamecocks’ team captains wouldn’t shake hands when they met the Wildcats for the coin toss. “Quite honestly we’re tired of it,” said head coach Mark Stoops about how UK football is viewed.
“It seems like everybody has us being underdogs and that just gives us extra motivation,” added running back Benny Snell Jr. “Coming out here, playing in big games, playing in big environments, we want to do well.”
This year Kentucky has more momentum than Fat Albert sledding down an icy hill. The Wildcats currently stand 3-0 for the first time since 2010. And the win over South Carolina marked the first time since the Bear Bryant Era that UK has defeated a SEC opponent–besides Vanderbilt–for four consecutive years. Who was the team that fell four times in a row? It’s none other than the Florida Gators.
Experience
Stephen Johnson (photo, Saturday Down South)
There’s no other team in the SEC that possesses more experience than the Wildcats. Kentucky returned 17 of 22 starters from last year’s team (not including All-SEC kicker, Austin MacGinnis), and that experience has been evident in the Wildcats’ wins this season.
In the Southern Miss game, the Wildcats were in a 17-10 defensive battle before Denzil Ware’s 20-yard fumble return for TD enabled UK to pull away for the win. Against Eastern Kentucky, the Wildcats were clinging to a 17-16 lead in the fourth quarter when QB Stephen Johnson took off on a 21-yard touchdown run.
Johnson came through once again last Saturday night. With his team leading 20-13–but facing a third-and-eight from the UK 36-yard line late in the game–the senior scrambled up the middle, made a cut up the far sideline, and scampered 54 yards to the SC 10-yard line. Three plays later a 21-yard field goal by MacGinnis put the game on ice.
Defense/Special Teams
Austin MacGinnis hits the game-clincher against USC (photo, Vaught’s Views)
UK’s defense has been fantastic! The Wildcats are giving up just 15.3 points per game—a mark that’s good for 27th-best in the nation and 6th-best in the SEC.
But the defense sure didn’t look good at the start of the USC game. The Gamecocks scored on the very first play as QB Jake Bentley hit WR Deebo Samuel on a 68-yard bomb. But UK’s defense didn’t give up another score until late in the fourth quarter.
UK’s special teams have been equally as impressive. MacGinnis adds a whole dimension to the Wildcats with his leg. He nailed game-winners last season to beat Louisville and Mississippi State. The senior, who’s six-of-seven on field goals for the year, scored all of Kentucky’s points in the second half (9) against South Carolina.
So, Will It Happen?
Kentucky has the pieces to finally upstage the Gators. Motivation, experience, and excellent defense/special teams will combine to achieve a 30-year quest. The table is set. Now it’s all about execution.
If UK executes I see a 28-24 win. If not, well … there’s always next year.
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Cameron Brown is an undergraduate student at Western Kentucky University, double majoring in journalism and history, with a minor in broadcasting. In addition to being a sportswriter and sports columnist, he is also the voice of South Warren Spartans football on the Sporting Times Broadcast Network. Contact him at cameron.brown288@topper.wku.edu
