Grading the Gators, failing grades for Florida football in blowout loss at Kentucky

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LEXINGTON, Ky. − Florida football wilted in a sea of turnovers on Nov. 8, losing 38-7 at Kentucky before 56,388 at Kroger Field.

The Florida Gators (3-6, 2-4 SEC) dropped to 0-2 under interim coach Billy Gonzales. After a spirited effort in falling 24-20 against rival Georgia last week in Georgia, Florida wasn't nearly as competitive against the Wildcats. Florida has now dropped five of its last eight games against Kentucky and three straight at Kroger Field for the first time since 1950, 1953 and 1955.

Kentucky (4-5, 2-5 SEC) took a commanding 24-7 lead into halftime, scoring 14 points off four first-half Florida turnovers. The Wildcats then poured it on in the second half to avenge a 48-20 loss to UF in The Swamp a season ago.

Florida dropped to 0-4 on the road this season and still hasn't won a road game since beating rival Florida State 31-11 in Tallahassee on Nov. 30, 2024.

Here's how UF graded out in its loss to the Wildcats:

Florida football offense: F

Kentucky effectively bottled up Florida running back Jadan Baugh early and forced quarterback DJ Lagway to beat them. It was a sound plan. Lagway threw three first-half interceptions, and running back KD Daniels also lost a fumble in a four-turnover first half. Lagway's confidence was so shaken that UF turned to freshman backup quarterback Tramell Jones Jr., who didn't fare much better. Florida finished with just 243 yards of offense, with Lagway passing for 83 yards and Jones passing for 60 yards.

Florida football defense: F

Florida made Kentucky freshman quarterback Cutter Boley look like the second coming of Johnny Unitas as coverage in the secondary was optional throughout the game. Boley completed 18 of 23 passes for 168 yards and 2 TDs. The Wildcats converted on 7 of their first 10 third down attempts and went 2-for-2 on fourth downs. In the second half, Kentucky's run game took over. Seth Gowen scored on two TD runs and Dante Dowdell sprang free on a 65-yard TD run in the fourth quarter.

Florida football special teams: C

Rocco Underwood recovered a muffed punt at UK's 13-yard line, which set up Florida's lone TD of the first half, a 10-yard TD pass from Lagway to Baugh. But punter Tommy Doman shanked a punt that set up a short field for Kentucky's third TD drive of the first half. Doman averaged 27.7 yards on three punts.

Florida football coaching: F

Simply put, Gonzales and UF's staff didn't have Florida prepared to play. All week, Gonzales insisted the effort would be there for the home stretch of the season but the Gators looked to have a hangover effect a week after the close loss to rival Georgia. The loss puts a severe dent in UF's ability to reach a bowl game for a second straight season, which was one of the few carrots remaining for motivation. Florida travels to face No. 7 Ole Miss on Nov. 15 in its final road game of the season.

Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun’s Florida beat writer. Contact him at kbrockway@gannett.com. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1. Read his coverage of the Gators’ national championship basketball season in “CHOMP-IONS!” — a hardcover coffee-table collector’s book from The Sun. Details at Florida.ChampsBook.com

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Grading Florida football after disheartening loss at Kentucky

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