{"id":32900,"date":"2020-11-29T11:00:19","date_gmt":"2020-11-29T16:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/?p=32900"},"modified":"2025-09-13T15:16:42","modified_gmt":"2025-09-13T19:16:42","slug":"the-tale-of-two-halves-florida-cruises-past-kentucky","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2020\/11\/29\/the-tale-of-two-halves-florida-cruises-past-kentucky\/","title":{"rendered":"The Tale of Two Halves: Florida Cruises Past Kentucky"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>It was the tale of two halves as Flordia cruises past Kentucky. For the Gators, the first half was an ugly half as the defense couldn\u2019t get <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2020\/11\/26\/florida-gators-vs-kentucky-wildcats-preview-4\/\" target=\"_self\">Kentucky<\/a>\u2019s offense off the field, and keeping <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/kyle-trask-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kyle Trask<\/a> and the Florida offense on the sidelines.<\/p>\n<p>While the second half was a half dominated by the Gators. Their offense scored 20 points and their defense force two three and outs, a turnover on downs, and three interceptions. The Gators also had their star tight end return and he made a significant impact in the game.<\/p>\n<p>While the Florida Gators won, there are still a lot of things that needed to fixed but Florida has put themselves in a good position as they are one win away from clinching the SEC East.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">Kentucky Wildcats Offense<\/h3>\n<p>The Kentucky Wildcats gave the Gators a good fight but it wasn\u2019t enough for them to pull off the upset. Their offense completely disappeared in the second half while their defense couldn\u2019t contain Florida\u2019s offense.<\/p>\n<p>Kentucky quarterback <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/terry-wilson-3.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Terry Wilson<\/a> had a rough performance in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Wilson completed 10 out of 18 passes for 62 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. Wilson also had 25 rushing yards on eleven attempts.<\/p>\n<p>The Kentucky rushing attack had a pretty solid performance as they rushed for 159 yards on 43 carries. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/asim-rose-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Asim Rose<\/a> was the lead rusher with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/christopher-rodriguez-jr-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chris Rodriguez<\/a> out of the game. Rose rushed for 58 yards on 15 carries. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/kavosiey-smoke-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kavosiey Smoke<\/a> also rushed for 47 yards on 14 carries.<\/p>\n<p>The passing attack for Kentucky was nowhere to be found as only three players caught passes in the loss to Florida. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/josh-ali-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Josh Ali<\/a> led the Wildcats in receiving with six receptions for 32 yards. Tight end <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/keaton-upshaw-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Keaton Upshaw<\/a> had three catches for 28 yards and a touchdown.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">Kentucky Wildcats Defense<\/h3>\n<p>On defense, Kentucky was able to force some turnovers but it still wasn\u2019t enough. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/yusuf-corker-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Yusuf Corker<\/a> led the Wildcats in tackles with eight tackles including three solos. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/jordan-wright-3.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jordan Wright<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/jamar-watson-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jamar Watson<\/a> shared the only sack recorded by the Kentucky defense.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/deandre-square-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">DeAndre Square<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/jamin-davis-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jamin Davis<\/a> both had fumble recoveries in the game but both also recorded six tackles in the game. Kentucky held Florida\u2019s offense to 418 yards which is the lowest since their loss to Texas A&amp;M.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">Florida Gators Offense<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The Florida Gators took care of business in the Swamp with another win. Redshirt-senior quarterback Kyle Trask continues to impress with another good performance. Trask completed 21 out of 27 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.<\/p>\n<p>Junior running back <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/dameon-pierce-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dameon Pierce<\/a> was the lead rusher for the Gators once again. Pierce had eight carries for 64 yards including a 38-yard run. Pierce also caught four passes for 19 yards.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/kyle-pitts-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kyle Pitts<\/a> returned to the gridiron had another incredible performance. Pitts had five receptions for 99 yards and three touchdowns. Redshirt-freshman running back <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/nayquan-wright-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nay\u2019Quan Wright<\/a> had five catches for 40 yards. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/kadarius-toney-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kadarius Toney<\/a> had three receptions for 38 yards but made the biggest on special teams as he returned a 50-yard punt for a touchdown.<\/p>\n<h3>Florida Gators Defense<\/h3>\n<p>The Florida defense had an abysmal first-half as Florida\u2019s head coach <strong>Dan Mullen<\/strong> had to get on his defensive coordinator <strong>Todd Grantham<\/strong>. Whatever Mullen told Grantham worked because of the Florida defense dominant Kentucky\u2019s offense in the second half.<\/p>\n<p>Linebacker <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/james-houston-iv-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">James Houston IV<\/a> returned after missing the past two games and made a huge impact in the game. Houston led Florida in tackles with eight tackles. He also had 2.5 tackles for loss and four solo tackles. Sophomore <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/mohamoud-diabate-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mohamoud Diabate<\/a> had six tackles with half a sack and an interception.<\/p>\n<p>Former Georgia transfer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/brenton-cox-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Brenton Cox<\/a> had three tackles in the game but also recorded a sack and 1.5 tackles for loss. Senior <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/shawn-davis-3.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Shawn Davis<\/a> had seven tackles, one tackle for loss, and an interception. True freshman <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/trevez-johnson-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tre\u2019Vez Johnson<\/a> recorded his first career interception as he ripped the ball away from the receiver he was covering.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">What\u2019s next?<\/h3>\n<p>The Florida Gators will be back on the road to take on their most hated rivals, the Tennessee Volunteers. If the Gators knocks off the Volunteers, they will clinch and win their first SEC East title since 2016. The Tennessee Volunteers are coming off an unscheduled bye as they were supposed to be playing Vanderbilt this past Saturday.<\/p>\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color: #fff; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #a7a7a7; font-size: 11px; width: 100%; max-width: 594px;\">\n<div style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; text-align: left;\"><a style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1229841048\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; position: relative; height: 0; padding: 68.68687% 0 0 0; width: 100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"display: inline-block; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0;\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/1229841048?et=pJtOI1FbQ0B0BU6LcZJjVg&amp;tld=com&amp;sig=2cMhG4zSPeVLEQ7SiX5QPT-4fKENhZrFgABfyxlfQuU=&amp;caption=true&amp;ver=1\" width=\"594\" height=\"408\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It was the tale of two halves as Flordia cruises past Kentucky. For the Gators, the first half was an ugly half as the defense couldn\u2019t get Kentucky\u2019s offense off the field, and keeping Kyle Trask and the Florida offense on the sidelines. While the second half was a half dominated by the Gators. Their [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2113,"featured_media":32905,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3,2,35573,35579],"tags":[79,1197,244,21,1921,1978,126,20,2737,2687],"class_list":["post-32900","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sec","category-featured","category-florida-gators","category-kentucky-wildcats","tag-college-football","tag-dan-mullen","tag-florida-gators","tag-kentucky-wildcats","tag-kyle-pitts","tag-kyle-trask","tag-ncaa","tag-sec","tag-terry-wilson","tag-todd-grantham"],"modified_by":"Michael Kovacs, ADMIN","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32900","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2113"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32900"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32900\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":77690,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32900\/revisions\/77690"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/32905"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32900"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=32900"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=32900"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}