Kentucky seeks a home victory over Gators.
LEXINGTON – September 13, 2019 – Bradley Charles – BSN
On Saturday, the Kentucky Wildcats welcome the Florida
Gators to Kroger Field. Last season, Kentucky finally broke Florida’s winning
streak over the Cats, which ended at 31-games. Fittingly, it was Josh Allen
that made the play which sealed the victory for the blue-and-white. As for
Saturday’s game, each team enters with a 2-0 record.
Kentucky started their season by playing Toledo and Eastern
Michigan, two of the better teams from the MAC. The Cats were able to pick up
comfortable, yet hard-fought, victories. With Terry Wilson being ruled out for the
season with an injury, Sawyer Smith will make his first start of the season.
Smith saw time with the starters last week after Wilson’s injury. Smith threw
for 76-yards and two touchdowns, while going five for nine on pass attempts.
Saturday’s matchup will be tough for Smith, as Florida
historically has a great defense. Florida ranks 4th in passing defense since
2013. Since 2005, Florida ranks 4th in the FBS for interceptions; while also
having a top 10 defense on 10 occasions during that time.
As for this edition of the Gators, they enter Saturday’s
game coming off victories over Miami and Tennessee Martin.
The Gator defense has been particularly dominant; allowing 10
points per game while averaging 7.5 sacks per game. That is an insane ratio,
which BBN, and Sawyer Smith, hope doesn’t hold true on Saturday. Ten of
Florida’s 15 sacks came in the season opener against Miami. The Gators lead the
country in sacks, Maryland is 2nd with 12. The Gators have eight of their 11
defensive starters back from last season, which leads all SEC programs.
When asked about the Florida defense on Monday Mark Stoops
replied, “They’re just a very disruptive defense. Todd Grantham does a
remarkable job, very good coach I have a lot of respect for. … They have really
good players. They have some game-wreckers up there up front.”
Last week, against Tennessee Martin Felipe Franks had a
career day. Franks went 25 for 27, throwing for 270 yards and two touchdowns.
With the performance, Franks set his career high for completions in a single
game. Beyond that, Franks’ 92.6% completion percentage against Tennessee Martin
ranks 2nd in school history for completion percentage in a game, with a minimum
of 10 attempts. Franks also threw 15 consecutive completions in the game, which
ranks 3rd in school history.
Oddly enough, special teams might need to be an area of concern
for Kentucky, the punt team in particular. Why? Florida’s special team coach is
Greg Knox who followed Dan Mullen from Mississippi State to Florida. From
2014-2017 Knox’s special teams blocked 15 kicks or punts, which led the SEC and
ranked 3rd in the country during that time. Since going to Florida, the Gators
have recorded three blocks. Kentucky runs a rugby style punt, which is designed
to have the punter run a few steps to his right or left, and punt on the run
once the defense gets relatively close to him. In a way this rugby style is
beneficial because punter Max Duffy is not stationary, but the nature of the
punt does lead to mild concern.
On Monday, Stoops had this to say about the Gators, “They’re
always really tough. They’re a tough football team, very well coached on
offense, defense, (and) special teams. So, they do a good job with good
players.”
Saturday’s game between the Cats and the Gators will air on ESPN
at 7:00.
Bluegrass Sports Nation will be
at Kroger Field to bring you all the action from the CatWalk to post game press
conferences with the UK Coverage Team of Brendon Miller, Ty Back and Bradley
Charles!!!
