The Quick Slant: Instant Analysis from Gators' 14-9 Win at Kentucky
Sunday, September 20, 2015 | Football, Scott Carter
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- The Gators took an 11-point lead into halftime and then had to rely on their defense to hold on for a 14-9 victory over host Kentucky on Saturday night.
The Florida defense responded as it often does, sealing the victory with an interception by sophomore cornerback Quincy Wilson in the final seconds to send a sold-out crowd at revamped Commonwealth Stadium heading for the exits.
"That was a happy locker room in there,'' Gators coach Jim McElwain said. "They knew this was a quality opponent."
The win in the Gators' SEC opener was their 29th in a row over Kentucky, the longest active streak in the country for an uninterrupted series.
Check back with GatorZone.com for a more comprehensive report later.
Here is our instant analysis from Florida's victory over the Wildcats:
THE QUICK SLANT
WHAT IT MEANS: The Gators won a game that many viewed as a good barometer for where they stand early in the season. Coming off a win at South Carolina, the Wildcats took the field confident and inspired by an electric atmosphere at home. However, Florida took control in the first half and led 14-3 at halftime to quiet the crowd for much of the night. The Gators improved to 3-0, 1-0 in the conference.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Quarterback Will Grier made his first career road start after making his starting debut at home last week against East Carolina. Grier finished 13 of 22 for 125 yards and an interception. Grier did some of his most impressive work on the ground, rushing 12 times for a team-high 61 yards. However, the Gators failed to score in the second half and leading 14-3, Grier was intercepted in the end zone to give Kentucky much-needed momentum. Grier went wire to wire to stake his claim on the starter's job for now.
STAGGERING STATISTIC: Kentucky quarterback Patrick Towles, who threw for 369 yards against the Gators last season, finished 8-for-24 for 126 yards and two interceptions Saturday. Towles had 43 yards passing in the game when he connected with Jeff Bodet for a 45-yard pass late in the second half.
SUBPLOT: The Gators bounced back from what McElwain called an "embarrassing" victory over East Carolina with an inspired victory at Kentucky. The offense was sluggish in the second half, but the Gators defense clamped down after allowing Kentucky to roll up 90 yards in the first quarter. Over the next three quarters the Wildcats managed just 151 yards. While the victory wasn't always pretty, it's one the Gators needed and should gain confidence from with a roster full of underclassmen.
UP NEXT: The Gators return home with an opportunity to start 4-0 if they can beat Tennessee for an 11th consecutive season. The Volunteers crushed Western Carolina at home Saturday to rebound from their triple-overtime loss to Oklahoma.
