The Florida Gators (and everyone) needed a night like Saturday

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – It's been a long season, but the Florida Gators' win against Kentucky on Saturday was really fun and much needed.

The 2024 season has been difficult for many to navigate, from inexcusable home losses to quarterback shuffles due to rotations and injuries to questionable performances in wins and even last week's heartbreaking loss to Tennessee.

Considering all of this, Saturday's 48-20 win over Kentucky was a necessary homecoming for everyone, whether it's a football player, a coach, a staff member, a family member, a fan or even a member of the media (believe me , I have had long conversations with others). Gators illustrated Author Kyle Lander and the guys at Hightop Sports on how this season went).

Everyone needed a win on Saturday, and everyone got one. Well, everyone except Kentucky.

It wasn't a fluke victory either. In some ways it was reminiscent of a storybook.

The Gators ended a three-game losing streak against the Wildcats after Jadan Baugh set a record in his first career start. With his five scores, he will now join Trey Burton and Tim Tebow in the record books for most rushing touchdowns in a single game.

Pretty good company, right?

Florida's defense intercepted three passes, matching its total number of passes last season. It's the one who intercepted the passes that stands out.

Trikweze Bridges, a transfer from Oregon who was a reserve for most of the season, got one, and Devin Moore, who has battled injuries throughout his career, got another and nearly scored.

The best, however, came from Cormani McClain, whose controversial history is known to almost everyone in college football and who even survived rumors of a summer firing, hitting a pick-six in his first appearance as a Gator.

There aren't many stories like this, and I, an unbiased journalist in a press box with constant reminders to “don't cheer,” couldn't help but smile as nearly the entire UF sideline celebrated in the end zone.

The same defense also had a goal-line stop and forced a total of four turnovers on downs. I can't remember the last time a Gator defense dominated like this, and they're in the midst of their best streak since 2019.

DJ Lagway, in just his second start ever, caught five of his seven completions for 40 yards and threw for 259 yards in the win. Not bad for the 19-year-old, who has now been forced into the starting lineup twice and is expected to take the lead for the rest of the season.

Even Cam Carroll, a transfer running back who battled a serious knee injury last season, got his first start as a Gator.

Most importantly, it was probably the Gators' first true four-quarter game since beating South Carolina in 2022. Sure, Kentucky grabbed the lead a bit, but it never really felt like the Gators had it Lost control (even though I told). David Waters from Gators Breakdown (I was a little nervous about the lead before halftime).

I've decided to keep this week's Cam column relatively short, positive, and even hopeful. I've written long enough about the coaching mistakes, past defensive issues and general lack of preparation since the start of the season.

Now I want to make it clear. I am in no way a “sunshine pumper.” Florida's schedule will only get more difficult as it faces Georgia and Texas in consecutive weeks (what a game that was, by the way) before hosting LSU and Ole Miss. All of them are playoff contenders.

It's going to be hard. It's going to be hard. There's a chance Florida won't win any of these games. Sorry, I'm just being honest. And I know that a blowout win over Kentucky is the norm in a place like Florida, not a rare exception, but Saturday's win over the Wildcats was simply necessary to feel good about this season and even confidence going forward to build.

We all saw how better the team looked after a bye after beating Mississippi State. It was a complete night and day difference for this defense. A confident win against a confidence-boosting SEC opponent, combined with a two-week preparation and recovery period for the upcoming game against Georgia, is exactly what the Gators needed.

We'll see what happens, but at least there's a feel-good performance from the 2024 season.