LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – The Kentucky Wildcats have pulled off another underdog win, this time on its home turf. The Cats dismantled Florida 38-7 to win its first SEC home game since Sept. 30, 2023.
This is Kentucky’s first 30-point conference win since 1998.
Cutter Boley went 18-23 for 168 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Dante Dowdell rushed for 104 yards and a touchdown on 7 carries. Seth McGowan had 92 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
The Kentucky defense totaled seven tackles for loss, four pass breakups and three interceptions.
The name of the game was defense and that was shown on the first series. Florida received the ball first and sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway threw his first interception on the first drive after his pass was tipped by Draveren Rayner and collected by Ty Bryant.
Kentucky would go down and hit a 39-yard field goal to take a 3-0 lead. Florida would get on the scoreboard after Kentucky muffed a punt leading to a 10 catch from Jaden Baugh giving Florida its only lead of the game 7-3.
From that point on it was complete domination. Cutter Boley continues to show his progression as a quarterback, making on time throws and making winning plays. Boley threw his first touchdown of the game to JJ Hester for a 29 yard catch and run.
Kentucky would force Florida to turn the ball over again, this time a fumble by KD Daniels. Kentucky would capitalize with Boley’s second passing touchdown of the day to Jason Patterson, putting UK up by 10.
Kentucky scored on three straight possession including the final possession of the half with Seth McGowan running in from two yards out to put UK up 24-7 at the half.
In the second half, it was all about the run game and control of the clock for the Cats. Kentucky received the ball first in the 2nd half and proceeded to take off 7:26 on the clock before McGowan scored his second touchdown of the day.
The Kentucky defense remained stout even when up big, causing multiple turnover on downs and kept the Gators from having a single drive go for more than 35 yards on the night.
The icing on the cake came late in the third when Dante Dowdell ran for a 65-yard touchdown to get to the final score.
Kentucky wins its second straight SEC game this season and wins its first SEC home game in two years.
UK returns home for senior day next Saturday, Nov 15 against Tennessee Tech. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. at Kroger Field.
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