Quarterback Cutter Boley connected on 18 of 23 through the air for 168 yards and two touchdowns, and the Kentucky defense came up big for the second straight game as the Cats pounded Florida 38-7 on Saturday night at Kroger Field.
Kentucky (4-5, 2-5 Southeastern Conference) ran for 233 yards in the game. Dante Dowdell carried seven times for 104 yards and a touchdown, while Seth McGowan rushed 22 times for 92 yards and a pair of scores.
The UK defense was stellar again in Saturday’s game, allowing just seven points, only 247 yards and forcing four Florida turnovers. This comes one week after the UK defense allowed just three points in a win at Auburn.
Florida (3-6, 2-4) had the game’s first possession, and the Gators would make a pair of first downs, crossing midfield and into Kentucky territory. But on a third and 12 from the UK 44, Gators’ quarterback DJ Lagway was intercepted by UK’s Ty Bryant, who returned it to the Kentucky 49-yard line.
The Cats converted a third and three when Boley found Hardley Gilmore IV for an eight-yard completion. On a third and 11, Boley found DJ Miller for a 14-yard gain and another first down. But from there, the drive stalled. Kentucky would get a 39-yard field goal from Jacob Kauwe to take a 3-0 lead with 6:42 left in the first quarter.
Florida would get two first downs on its next drive, but the Gators would be forced to punt. However, Ja’Mori Maclin muffed the punt and Florida recovered at the UK 13-yard line. Three plays later, Lagway connected with Jaden Baugh for a 10-yard touchdown. Trey Smack would add the extra point and Florida led 7-3 with 1:12 left in the first period.
On the first play of the second quarter, Boley connected with tight end Willie Rodriguez for a first down. Using an up-tempo attack, the Cats quickly moved into Florida territory. The drive would end when Boley connected with JJ Hester for a 29-yard touchdown pass, giving the lead back to the Cats. Kauwe added the PAT and Kentucky led 10-7 with 12:39 left in the half.
The Gators would make two first downs on its next drive, but as they neared midfield, the UK defense forced another turnover. KD Daniels rushed up the middle, but UK’s Lorenzo Cowan forced a fumble and Cam Dooley recovered, give the Cats the ball on their own 41-yard line.
Kentucky would convert a fourth and one on a four-yard rush by Seth McGowan. On a third and three, Boley connected with Kendrick Law for a 12-yard gain and another first down. The Cats faced a fourth and two from the Florida 18, and Law rushed around right end for a three-yard gain and a first down. On the next play, Boley hit Jason Patterson for a 15-yard touchdown to extend the lead. Kauwe added the PAT and the Cats led 17-7 with 3:32 remaining in the half.
The momentum stayed on Kentucky’s side when the UK defense forced a three-and-out on the next Florida drive. The Gators punted and the Cats took over at their own 46-yard line with 2:38 left in the half.
The Cats would waste no time getting into scoring position. On the third play of the drive, Boley found Law for a 25-yard completion. On the next play, Boley connected with Maclin for a gain of 17 yards to the Florida two-yard line. On the next play, McGowan rushed for a touchdown, his eighth rushing touchdown of the season. Kauwe added another extra point and UK led 24-7 with 1:26 remaining in the half.
Florida would try to add points before the end of the half, but UK’s Quay’sheed Scott picked off the Lagway pass and returned it 55 yards, to the Florida 19-yard line with 35 seconds left in the half. It appeared that UK would add points, but Boley fumbled and the Gators recovered with 22 seconds left in the half.
The teams would trade interceptions late in the half, which ended with Kentucky leading 24-7.
Kentucky got the ball to start the third quarter. The Cats would make a first down on a Boley scramble for 14 yards and another when Boley connected with Fred Farrier for a 13-yard gain that got UK into Florida territory. From there, the Cats went to the ground, using both McGowan and Dante Dowdell to get into the red zone. The seventh consecutive rushing play was a five-yard touchdown rush by McGowan, ending the 13-play, 75-yard scoring drive. Kauwe added the point after, and Kentucky led 31-7 with 7:34 left in the third quarter.
Florida made a chance at quarterback to start the second half. Tramell Jones came on to relieve Lagway. Jones would lead the Gators across midfield, but a Daveren Rayner sack halted the once-promising drive and Florida would punt. Kentucky took over at its own 12-yard line with 32 seconds left in the half. The Cats would lead 31-7 after three periods.
As the fourth quarter began, Kentucky continued to run the ball effectively. On first down from the UK 35-yard line, Dowdell busted through the middle, turned on the jets and raced 65 yards for a touchdown. Kauwe made another PAT and Kentucky led 38-7 with 12:16 to play.
On Florida’s next possession, the Gators would make a pair of first downs. But on fourth and six from the UK 49, Jones’ pass was overthrown, and the Cats took over with 9:29 remaining.
Kentucky returns to action next Saturday, hosting Tennessee Tech for Senior Day. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. ET and the game can be seen on SEC Network Plus.
Courtesy of UK Athletics
