GAINESVILLE, Fl. (LEX 18) — Shorthanded with 16 players and 10 staff members on the injury/COVID-19 list, Kentucky was unable to pull off an upset at The Swamp, falling to No. 6 Florida 34-10.
Self inflicted wounds did not help the Wildcats, with 8 penalties for 74 yards and more mistakes on special teams.
Kentucky actually held a 10-7 lead with under a minute to play in the first half. But Florida would take the lead for good with a punt return touchdown that Mark Stoops said was a 'shank' by All-American punter Max Duffy.
For the second straight week, Kentucky was unable to produce any sort of momentum in the second half. On Florida's opening drive, the defense was penalized on three straight plays (facemask, facemask, pass interference) before Kyle Trask connected with tight end Kyle Pitts for the second of three touchdowns they would connect on in the game.
The defense did give the offense some opportunities, forcing two fumbles the offense couldn't fully take advantage of (a field goal after the first fumble recovery).
Terry Wilson struggled once again, going 10-18 for 62 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions before being replaced by Joey Gatewood in the fourth quarter.
Offensively, Kentucky only produced one first down in the second half.
Florida outgained Kentucky 418-221 in total yardage.
Trask finished the game 21-27 for 256 yards and 3 touchdowns. His main target, Pitts, returned from injury and had 5 catches for 99 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Kentucky falls to 3-6 on the year and will have its regular season finale next Saturday against South Carolina at Kroger Field.
