Kentucky snaps 31 game losing streak in 27-16 win
Junior Running Back Benny Snell, Jr. runs past the Gator defense during their game Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville. Photo provided by Alex Slitz | Lexington Herald-Leader
September 8, 2018
The UK football team traveled to Gainesville, Florida to take on the Gators in which they snapped a 31-game losing streak in their 27-16 win.
Kentucky was lucky to be down by only three points at the half—the Cats committed six penalties for a total of 55 yards and turned the ball over twice.
Benny Snell and Terry Wilson combined for 149 yards in the first half. However, despite Wilson’s efforts on his feet, he committed two turnovers in a fumble and an interception in the middle of a crucial drive.
Kentucky’s first drive started about six minutes into the game, and after nine plays for 91 yards, Wilson completed a pass to senior David Bouvier good for 29 yards and their first touchdown. Neither team would score again in the first quarter.
The second quarter wasn’t a high point for the Cats. Florida scored ten points, starting with a field goal about a minute in. Kentucky got the ball back but ended up punting on their sixth play of the drive, and shortly after, Florida scored a touchdown to take the lead 10-7.
Before the half, Kentucky was in scoring position when Wilson threw an interception, however, Kentucky would start the second half with the ball.
To begin the second half, Kentucky took 5:06 off the clock on their first drive that eventually led to a Wilson 24-yard rushing touchdown.
The Cats’ defense held Florida’s next possession to 25 yards and Kentucky got the ball back on their 22-yard line. Wilson’s rushing ability had been his mojo the entire game, until he threw a 54-yard pass complete to Lynn Bowden, who ran it for a touchdown to take Kentucky’s lead up to 21-10 after the extra point.
Several non-scoring drives for both teams followed the Bowden touchdown, but Florida responded with a passing touchdown to take the score to take the score to 27-16. The Gators went for the two-point conversion, but couldn’t execute.
With about 30 seconds left, Florida began a drive that eventually led to a fumble, one of which Kentucky returned for a touchdown to seal the win.
Kentucky will return to Lexington on September 15th, where they will face Murray State.
