The Quick Slant: Instant Analysis from UF's 36-30 win over Kentucky
Sunday, September 14, 2014 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The Gators did something they had never done Saturday night: they played a three-overtime game.
And they avoided something they haven't done since 1986: lose to Kentucky.
Florida escaped with a 36-30 win when Matt Jones plunged into the end zone from a yard out in triple overtime.
"There are going to be games like that when you play in our conference,'' Florida coach Will Muschamp said. "We found a way to win."
Here is our instant analysis of UF's impressive win:
THE QUICK SLANT
WHAT IT MEANS: The Gators improved to 2-0 and avoided another loss that would not have gone over well in Gator Nation, reminiscent of the losses to Vanderbilt and Georgia Southern in 2013. Florida also snapped a five-game SEC losing streak by defeating the Wildcats for the 28th consecutive season.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Gators have searched for a go-to receiver ever since head coach Muschamp took over the program. They appear to have found one in sophomore Demarcus Robinson, who caught a school-record-tying 15 passes for 216 yards and two touchdowns. Robinson's 9-yard touchdown reception on a fourth-down play in the first overtime kept the Gators' night alive.
STAGGERING STATISTIC: The Gators finished with 532 yards of total offense a week after racking up 655 against Eastern Michigan. After two games, UF is averaging 593.5 yards per game, more than 250 yards above what they averaged a season ago.
SUBPLOT: The Gators won but problems in the secondary cost them big time in the second half. Muschamp and Co. will look to shore up the back end of the defense that Muschamp said gave up 173 yards on six "explosive" plays. While Robinson was the star on offense, Jones finished with 156 yards on 29 carries and with the game on the line, he delivered the victory with some effective running in the third overtime.
UP NEXT: The Gators travel to face No. 2-ranked Alabama in their first road game of the season next week. The Gators can take a huge step toward returning to national prominence with a good performance.
