UF needs to win three of its final four games, starting with today's visit to Kentucky, to have a shot at a bowl game.
Game Day: Florida at Kentucky (Saturday, 7:30 pm)
Saturday, November 8, 2025 | Football, Chris Harry
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By: Chris Harry, Senior Writer
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Remember the last trip to the Bluegrass State? It was in 2023 and it was where Billy Napier's tenure took an enlightening and ominous turn.
The host Kentucky Wildcats took advantage of four brutal first-quarter penalties against the visiting Florida Gators, including a 15-yard illegal leaping penalty after UF forced a punt, to score the game's first 23 points and eventually roll to a 33-14 victory that really wasn't as close as the final score might indicate. UK tailback Ray Davis rushed for 280 yards, averaging nearly 11 yards per carry, in the most lopsided UF loss in the series since 1979 when the Gators went 0-10-1.
Florida, ranked 22nd at the time, managed to rush for just 69 yards and looked unprepared, undisciplined and unable to compete against a Southeastern Conference opponent it had dominated for basically four decades.
The signs were all there.
Now, here the Gators (3-5, 2-3) are again, back at Kroger Field to face the Wildcats (3-5, 1-5) Saturday night, in a game between a pair of teams looking up at the better part of the league and scraping for bowl-game consideration. For Florida, obviously, it's not where the program wants or expected to be, but too many performances like the aforementioned 2023 Kentucky clash led to the current 2025 circumstances that have the Gators riding out the season with an interim coach. They may have four (perhaps five) games left, but the overwhelming thoughts of the program revolve around what comes next.
[Read senior writer Scott Carter's comprehensive "Opening Kickoff" preview here]
It's worth noting that UF put up an admirable fight in its 24-20 loss to rival Georgia last week, the team's first game with Interim Coach Billy Gonzales wearing the big headset. The Gators, especially given the opponent, played one of their cleanest games in several seasons (minimal penalties, no turnovers), but just weren't able to finish drives and capitalize on big-play opportunities, and ultimately failed to close out a three-point lead in the fourth quarter.
In that one, sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway had a couple plays he'd like to have back, as the Gators generated just 281 yards of total offense, while the defense gave them a chance by limiting the Bulldogs to 361 yards, forced six punts and a couple turnovers.
Kentucky coach Mark Stoops is 4-8 in his 12 seasons against the Gators, but has won four of the previous seven. USA Today photo
The UF offense, with Lagway (1,679 yards, 10 TD, 9 INT) at the trigger, is ranked just 95th nationally at 351.8 yards per game. Kentucky's defense rates 65th overall (313.4 ypg) and 86th in points allowed (26.8), but Mark Stoops, the dean of SEC head coaches in his 13th season, figures to have a plan like he did two years. He's one two of the last three in the series, by the way.
On defense, the Gators rank 43rd nationally (340.5 ypg) and 32nd in scoring (20.5 ppg). They could have a chance to improve on those numbers against quarterback Culter Boley (1,376 yards, 10 TD, 7 INT) and a Wildcats offense that is 99th nationally at 346.1 yards per and 101st in scoring (just 22.4 ppg).
Regardless the outcome, unlike the last road trip to the commonwealth, there won't be a whole lot to take away relative to where the Gators are headed.
Coverage begins at 7:30 p.m. on SEC Network with Tom Hart on play-by-play, Jordan Rodgers providing analysis and Cole Cubelic working the sidelines. The Gators Sports Network from Learfield broadcast will air with pregame coverage beginning at 4:30 p.m. and eventually give way to the team of Sean Kelley, Shane Matthews and Tate Casey on the call. For GSN stations, click here.
The game will re-air Monday at 12:30 a.m. and again Thursday at 12:30 p.m., both on the SEC Network.
Finally, follow senior writer Scott Carter (@GatorsScott) on X for commentary and analysis throughout the game. FloridaGators.com will have complete post-game coverage from the game late Saturday night and follow-up content Sunday, also.
