Five things learned from UF loss at Kentucky: Trammel Jones Jr.’s time arrives as DJ Lagway, Gators’ D collapse
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Florida’s 38-7 loss at Kentucky was a collapse of epic, unexpected and historic proportions. UF was a four-point favorite facing a coach on the hot seat (Mark Stoops), but suffered its third consecutive loss in Lexington and fourth in five games in the series. The last time the Wildcats beat the Gators by more, Bear Bryant was Kentucky’s coach during a 40-6 win in 1950.
Here are five things learned in UF’s loss Saturday:
Time for Trammel
Quarterback DJ Lagway’s sophomore slump hit a new low.
As Lagway’s interceptions piled up, his confidence waned and the Gators’ offense continued to stall, interim coach Billy Gonzales replaced Lagway with true freshman Trammel Jones Jr. with 7:34 remaining in the third quarter and UF trailing 31-7.
The 18-year-old from Jacksonville didn’t distinguish himself, going 9-of-17 for just 60 yards, or lead the Gators into the end zone. But he also didn’t appear to be overwhelmed.
Following his first benching at UF, Lagway could reclaim the starting job next week on the road against Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss Rebels.
Gonzales was non-committal.
“We’ll take a look at the film, and obviously we think he’s a very talented young man,” he said. “But we’ll take a look at everything and move forward once we get back home.”
Lagway’s long-term future at UF is the bigger question, especially if the Gators lure Kiffin away from Oxford.
The 50-year-old is known for his ability to sign and develop quarterbacks, but also his penchant to stir it up on social media. On his X account Saturday night, Kiffin re-posted an article about Lagway’s benching.
Given Lagway’s struggles, including an SEC-leading 12 interceptions against just 11 touchdowns, Kiffin could decide Lagway is a reclamation project carrying a hefty NIL price tag.
Defensive no-show
The Gators’ ‘D’ had held its own and been more than respectable throughout 2025.
UF entered the night having allowed an average of 20.5 points, or 31st nationally, while the Gators’ attack sat 106th, and averaging just 22.1 points.
At Kentucky, though, Florida was no match for another struggling offense. The Wildcats’ 38 points were their most this season against a Power Four foe. Their 21 second-quarter points were their most during a quarter this season.
The Gators managed just one sack, by junior end Kam James of Orlando, and one quarterback hurry as true freshman Cutter Boley finished 18-of-23 passing for 168 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. At one point, he completed 11 consecutive throws.
“You can be accurate when there’s no pressure on you,” sophomore linebacker Myles Graham said. “Just mental busts on defense, guys not being where they need to be. We just didn’t do our job.”
Road kill
Florida’s struggles outside the Swamp continued.
The loss dropped the Gators to 5-17 away from Gainesville since former coach Billy Napier arrived after the 2021 season. Nowhere has UF been been worse than Lexington, where it has lost by a combined score of 71-21 during its past two visits.
The Gators now head to Ole Miss having gone 0-14 in road games against ranked opponents. Given UF’s road record, Saturday night’s flop and Kiffin’s high-powered attack averaging 37.5 points, things could get ugly.
Baugh loses ground
A 150-yard day Oct. 18 against Mississippi State positioned tailback Jadan Baugh to become the Gators’ first 1,000-yard rusher since Kelvin Taylor in 2015.
But the sophomore followed a 72-yard outing against No. 5 Georgia with just 64 on 17 carries against struggling Kentucky, Baugh’s fewest yards since his 46 on Sept. 20 at Miami.
With three games to go, Baugh has 683 yards, requiring him to pick up the pace considerably. To gain 1,035 yards, Taylor needed 14 games, including the SEC title game and the Citrus Bowl. The Gators would need to win out, at Ole Miss and in the Swamp against Tennessee and Florida State, to qualify for a bowl.
Whatever happens, Baugh is a bright spot for a bad offense, even as defenses focus on stopping him. At Kentucky, he also caught five passes for 27 yards, including a 10-yard score.
He has 815 total yards from scrimmage. Taylor also is the last Gator with 1,000 total yards from scrimmage, with 1,185 in 2015.
What’s left to play for?
All the talk of playing for “the patch” — the Gators’ logo — and each other became empty words as the Gators essentially quit in Lexington.
Yet, Florida has reasons to keep fighting.
The Ole Miss game could be an audition for Kiffin. If he choses to leave Oxford for Gainesville, he is sure to remember who stood out Saturday night for the Gators.
A visit from longtime rival Tennessee is the last time the Gators and Vols will square off annually, after playing every season since 1990. The regular-season finale against Florida State in the Swamp is sure to inspire an effort.
Redshirt senior center Jake Slaughter isn’t about to give up.
“There’s no time to rest, you got to go back to work,” he said.
Gonzales himself is hoping for a role with the new coaching staff as he pushes to motivate the Gators and set an example.
“I just told them we got to get ready. Don’t splinter,” he said. “We’re not going to splinter. We can’t splinter. Leadership comes from me, and I have to do a better job.”
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
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