Can Florida football bounce back at Kentucky? Swampcast discusses
The Sun’s Kevin Brockway and Noah Ram preview the Florida football-Kentucky matchup with Ryan Black of the Louisville Courier-Journal
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Florida football’s season continues to get worse.
The Gators were blown out by Kentucky 38-7 on Saturday, Nov. 8, marking Florida’s first 30-point loss by an unranked team since 1970.
Florida’s loss was highlighted by the benching of starting quarterback DJ Lagway, who threw three interceptions in the first half against Kentucky, which allowed the Wildcats to take a 24-7 lead by halftime. Lagway finished 11 of 19 and tossed for 83 along with five carries for 27 yards.
The Gators’ lone touchdown came in the first quarter, which was a 10-yard touchdown by Lagway to running back Jaden Baugh to give UF a 7-3 lead by the end of the first quarter.
Backup quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. finished the game for Florida (3-6, 2-4 SEC), which featured the true freshman throwing for 60 yards and completing 9 of his 17 passes.
Kentucky’s offense ran for over 230 yards and accounted for three touchdowns, while Wildcat quarterback Cutter Boley threw for 168 yards, two touchdowns and went 18 of 23.
Here’s a look back at what happened in Florida football’s loss to Kentucky.
Kentucky running back Dante Dowdell breaks away for a 65-yard touchdown run.
Florida’s starting quarterback DJ Lagway gets bench to open the second half. Lagway threw three interceptions in the first half. He was also 11 of 19 and tossed for one touchdown and 83 yards. True freshman quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. enters the game.
The Gators surrender a 13-play, 75-yard scoring drive that ends with a 5-yard touchdown run for Kentucky running back Seth McGowan.
A disastrous first half ends for the Gators, as Florida turns the ball over four times in the first half, with quarterback DJ Lagway throwing three interceptions. Kentucky turned it over twice as well late in the first half, but the Wildcats have outscored UF 14-0 in points of turnovers. Kentucky outgained Florida 215-143 in the first half and 150-83 in passing yards. Wildcats get the kickoff to start the second half.
Off a shanked Tommy Doman punt, Kentucky drives 54 yards and four plays, capped by a two-yard TD run by Seth McGowan to put Kentucky up 24-7 on Florida with 1:12 left in the second quarter. The rout is on.
Quarterback Cutter Boley throws his second TD of the game, a 15-yard strike to running back Jason Patterson, putting Kentucky up 17-7 on Florida with 3:32 left in the second quarter. Wildcats have scored 14 points off two UF turnovers. Coverage has been optional for UF’s secondary tonight, as Boley is 11 of 14 for 101 yards and 2 TDs.
Florida football running back KD Daniels loses a fumble that Kentucky recovers at its own 41 yards. Second turnover of the game for Gators.
Kentucky answers with a nine-play, 75-yard TD drive, going up 10-7 on a 29-yard TD pass from quarterback Cutter Boley to receiver J.J. Hester. Florida freshman cornerback J’Vari Flowers was beaten in coverage but it was a heck of a throw by Boley. Kentucky 10, Florida 7 with 12:39 left in second quarter.
Florida outgained Kentucky 83-34 in first quarter. UF sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway 6-of-9, 50 yards, 1 TD, 1 interception for Florida. Also continuing trend of running more under interim coach Billy Gonzales, four carries, 19 yards including two designed runs.
Florida football cashes in on a muffed punt that Rocco Underwood recovered at UK’s 13-yard line, as the Gators to go 13 yards in three plays, capped by a 10-yard TD pass from DJ Lagway to running back Jadan Baugh to go up 7-3 with 1:12 left in the first quarter. Well-designed play, three receivers spread to the left and Baugh had plenty of room to work and get open on the right side of the field. Florida 7, Kentucky 3, with 1:12 left in the first quarter.
Kentucky cashes in 3 points off the Lagway interception, driving 30 yards on 10 plays before Jacob Kauwe drilled a 39-yard field goal to put the Wildcats up 3-0 with 6:42 left in the first quarter.
DJ Lagway is picked off by Kentiucky safety on UF’s first offensive possession. Lagway now has 10 TDs and 10 interceptions on the season.
Game time temperature for Florida-Kentucky is 50 degrees.
Kentucky wins coin toss, defers to second half. Florida will receive opening tipoff.
Per latest SEC Availability Report, 13 players are out for Florida, including wide receiver Eugene Wilson III (ankle sprain). Defensive tackle Tavion Gadson (2.5 sacks) is out for Kentucky, while defensive back DJ Waller Jr. is a game-time decision.
What time does Florida football vs Kentucky start?
- Date: Saturday, Nov. 8
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Where: Kroger Field, Lexington, Ky., cap. 61,000
What TV channel is Florida football vs Georgia on today?
STREAM FLORIDA FOOTBALL VS KENTUCKY, FREE TRIAL
Florida football vs Kentucky prediction
Florida 17, Kentucky 13: Florida will pick up its first win under interim coach Billy Gonzales in a hard fought, defensive struggle. Starting quarterback DJ Lagway will throw two TD passes and UF’s defense will pressure UK freshman quarterback Cutter Boley and force him into enough mistakes to escape with the win.
Florida football 2025 schedule
all times ET
Aug 30 — LIU, Florida won 55-0
Sept. 6 — USF, Florida lost 18-16
Sept. 13 — at No. 9 LSU, Florida lost 20-10
Sept. 20 — at No. 6 Miami, Florida lost 26-7
Oct. 4 — No. 7 Texas, Florida won 29-21
Oct. 11 — at No. 5 Texas A&M, Florida lost 34-17
Oct. 18 — Mississippi State, Florida won 23-21
Nov. 1 — vs. No. 5 Georgia (Jacksonville), Florida lost 24-20
Nov. 8 — at Kentucky, 7:30 p.m., SEC Network
Nov. 15 — at Ole Miss, 7 p.m., ESPN
Nov. 22 — Tennessee, TBD
Nov. 29 — Florida State, TBD
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
