Florida 48-20 Kentucky (Oct. 19, 2024) Game Recap

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Two 19-year-old freshmen helped give Florida and coach Billy Napier a much-needed win in a series that had been floundering.

Jadan Baugh ran for five touchdowns, He ties the school record set by Tim Tebow and Trey Burtonand the Gators dominated Kentucky 48-20 on Saturday night for their first win in the annual series since 2020.

“It’s pretty good company there,” Napier said.

In his first career start, Baugh filled in for injured senior Montrell Johnson and ran for 106 yards against one of the stingiest defenses in the Southeastern Conference. His 1-yard plunge late in the third quarter gave Florida a 14-point lead, which was enough against the offensively challenged Wildcats (3-4, 1-4 SEC).

It was a much-needed effort considering Florida (4-3, 2-2) was forced to switch to another freshman, quarterback DJ Lagway, due to injury. Lagway made his first league start, replacing Graham Mertz, whose college career ended when he tore knee ligaments last week at Tennessee.

Lagway completed 7 of 14 passes for a whopping 259 yards, gaining more than 40 yards on five completions. Lagway now has nine of them this season, nine more than Mertz.

“He’s getting better every day,” Napier said. “He learns something every day.”

Lagway and Baugh were the first true freshmen in program history to start at quarterback and running back. They filled in for veteran leaders who had made 67 total starts – and the Gators looked more explosive.

“It’s amazing, I’m not going to lie,” cornerback Devin Moore said.

Elijhah Badger caught three passes for 148 yards. Chimere Dike finished the game with two balls for 67 yards. And Eugene Wilson III added a 40-yarder.

The Gators needed all of them to beat Barion Brown, Kentucky's junior speedster, who did it a 45-yard touchdown reception on a flea-flicker And a 99-yard kickoff return for a score.

It was the fifth kickoff return for a touchdown of Brown's career, the most among active players in major college football. It came two seconds later after Brown let a deep pass slip through his hands for an interception.

Brock Vandagriff threw another pick that bounced off the hands of two Kentucky receivers. It was a night like that for the Wildcats, who gave up a season-high 476 yards and were 1 of 5 on fourth down.

“Pretty tough loss,” Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said. “They physically pushed us around a lot and pushed us forward. I felt like we were catching up all day. …All in all, a pretty good butt whip.”

Florida finished the game with 197 yards on the ground against the 10th-ranked rushing defense in the country. The Gators used unbalanced lines at times to keep the Wildcats guessing, and Baugh did the rest.

The snack bar

Kentucky: The Wildcats have given up the most points in any game this season, including 24 in the second quarter. It was uncharacteristic of a Mark Stoops-coached team and too many to chase after an offense with so many flaws.

Florida: This was the most complete conference game of the season for the Gators, who would have enjoyed a less stressful win without allowing touchdowns on a trick play and a kickoff return. There had to be some pressure taken off coach Billy Napier.

McClain's stunning debut

Cornerback Cormani McClain, a five-star recruit from Lakeland who spent last season at Colorado, intercepted a pass in the fourth quarter and returned it 29 yards for a touchdown. He appeared to taunt the receiver on the way to the end zone, sparking a wild celebration that led to numerous unsportsmanlike conduct charges.

McClain added another pass breakup in the final minutes.

40 year reunion

The Gators recognized their 1984 team, the first in program history to win the SEC — although the league stripped Florida of the title months later. The NCAA imposed a three-year bowl ban and reduced scholarships.

Next

Kentucky hosts Auburn next Saturday.

Florida gets a week off before facing rival Georgia in Jacksonville.

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AP College Football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll