... GATORS GOBBLE UP KENTUCKY, PLASTER DEFENDING CHAMPS
In Week 1, both Florida and Kentucky looked good in clear wins over Texas and Michigan, respectively. And while Texas has come on since that loss, Michigan has proven to be one of the worst teams in the ECFA.
Now, it's fair to wonder if the same can be said for the defending champion Kentucky Wildcats, as Florida soundly thumped the 'Cats, 20-3.
Kentucky had no running game whatsoever, and couldn't stop Florida's talented tailback Demps, who had better than 100 yards by halftime. He finished with "only" 119, but the Gators took the lead early and continually added to it throughout, coming up with a goal-line stand in the final minutes to stretch Kentucky's somewhat remarkable streak of touchdown-less quarters to eight.
Florida (2-1, 1-1 Eastern Conference), which has only lost to top-ranked Syracuse, took the lead early, kicking a 28-yard field goal on the opening possession thanks in part to a 37-yard run by Demps, and his 21-yard reception. The Gators forced a Hartline fumble on Kentucky's (1-2, 0-2 East) first possession, but had to punt. The Wildcats ended the quarter with the ball but later had to punt.
The Gators quickly moved down field from their 34, as Demps ran for 15 and Rainey caught a 13-yard pass, then on 2nd-and-8, Demps ran around right end for a 31-yard score. He's simply been unstoppable this season if he gets to the second level. Down 10-0, Kentucky moved 36 yards in 7 plays, but settled for a 57-yard field goal to get within 10-3. Florida missed a 56-yard field goal attempt in the final seconds of the half, keeping the margin at 7.
The Wildcats were in good position, though, getting the ball to open the third quarter. But a 3-and-out, followed by a 35-yard Florida field goal raised the advantage to 13-3 midway through the period. Kentucky badly missed a 51-yard field goal on its next drive, and the teams swapped punts. Hill returned the Wildcats' punt 41 yards to the Kentucky 19, and three plays later, quarterback Brantley scrambled for a 17-yard touchdown to push the lead to 20-3 early in the fourth quarter.
Still somewhat alive but barely ticking, a 48-yard kickoff return by Cobb and his 30-yard catch put Kentucky at the 22. But Hartline, who struggled with his accuracy all day, overshot Locke on a comeback route, and it was intercepted by Howard - a defensive tackle who had dropped back on a zone blitz. After a Florida punt, Kentucky reached the Florida 2, but Hartline was sacked on 1st down, not getting the ball off quickly enough to what was an open Allen in the end zone. An incompletion and a 3-yard catch by Locke set up 4th-and-goal at the 4, where a pass for Allen was high and out of reach.
Florida ran out the clock, and got back into the Eastern race at 1-1. Now 0-2 in the conference with just four to play, Kentucky's hopes of repeating as national champions are all but dead.
Ed
