The longest running winning streak over a single opponent in the SEC continues as the Kentucky Wildcats blow a 13 point lead in the second half and the Gators win 28-27 in an epic comeback to advance their streak over the Wildcats to 31 games. Wildcats' quarterback Stephen Johnson's 196 yards and three touchdowns stifled the Gators defense for much of the game, but Luke Del Rio came in relief and led the Gators to an epic comeback leading to epic heartbreak again in Lexington.
Kentucky wasted little time in front of a sold out hometown crowd to take the early lead on Florida as Johnson took the Wildcats on an eight play, 75 yards drive capped off by a Blake Bone 14-yard touchdown catch in the back corner of the end zone. The Wildcats took that early 7-0 lead into the second quarter where the Gators offense showed the most life it would have for a majority of the night.
Kadarius Toney tied the game for Florida as he scampered 36 yards for the first Gators offensive score since the hail mary that ended their game against Tennessee last week.
The tie didn't last long as each team would trade another score before the half as the Wildcats took a 14-7 lead on a short ten yard drive keyed by a big punt return by Charles Walker down to the Gators' 10-yard line. Johnson's second touchdown of the game came on a 9-yard touchdown catch by Garrett Johnson.
The Gators offense answered back immediately on an eight play, 75-yard drive of their own ending in a Feleipe Franks touchdown pass to Tyrie Cleveland for 45 yards and the tie at halftime.
Kentucky took their first two possessions of the second half and turned it into ten points as Johnson's third touchdown pass of the night found C.J. Conrad for 23 yards and a 21-14 lead. Wildcats' kicker Austin MacGinnis added a pair of field goals from 42 and 50 yards each giving Kentucky a 27-14 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Luke Del Rio replaced Franks as quarterback of the Gators late in the third quarter as head coach Jim McElwain was looking for a spark and a Gators comeback. Del Rio took the Gators 80 yards on seven plays for a score as Brandon Powell found the end zone chipping the Kentucky lead to 27-21 with under eight minutes to play.
Del Rio played hero for the Gators with 6:31 to play in the game and took Florida on a 13 play, 58 yard drive ending in a pass to Freddie Stewart in the corner of the end zone putting Florida up 28-27 and their first lead of the game.
Kentucky was able to drive down far enough to attempt a 57 yard field goal attempt as time expired, but the kick fell short and the winning streak over Kentucky continues.
Florida outgained Kentucky 395-340 and only turned the ball over once. Feleipe Franks finished the game 7-12 for 85 yards and a touchdown. Del Rio in relief finished the game 9-14 for 74 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
The Gators will return home to host Vanderbilt next week with a noon kickoff on Saturday.
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