GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Two 19-year-old freshmen helped give Florida and coach Billy Napier a much-needed victory in a series that had started to slip away.
Jadan Baugh ran for five touchdowns, tying a school record held by Tim Tebow and Trey Burton, and the Gators dominated Kentucky 48-20 Saturday night for their first victory in the annual series since 2020.
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“That's pretty good company there,” Napier said.
Making his first career start and filling in for injured senior Montrell Johnson, Baugh ran for 106 yards against one of the Southeastern Conference’s stingiest defenses. His 1-yard plunge late in the third quarter gave Florida a 14-point cushion that was plenty against the offensively challenged Wildcats (3-4, 1-4 SEC).
It was a much-needed effort considering Florida (4-3, 2-2) was forced to turn to another freshman, quarterback DJ Lagway, because of injury. Lagway made his first league start in place of Graham Mertz, whose college career ended when he tore a knee ligament last week at Tennessee.
Lagway completed 7 of 14 passes for a whopping 259 yards, with five completions gaining more than 40 yards. Lagway now has nine of those on the season, nine more than Mertz.
“He gets better every day," Napier said. "He learns something every day.”
Lagway and Baugh were the first true freshmen to start at quarterback and running back in program history. They stepped in for veteran leaders who had made a combined 67 starts — and the Gators looked more explosive.
“It's amazing, I ain't gonna lie,” cornerback Devin Moore said.
Elijhah Badger caught three passes for 148 yards. Chimere Dike finished with two receptions for 67 yards. And Eugene Wilson III added a 40-yarder.
The Gators needed all of them to overcome Barion Brown, Kentucky’s junior speedster who had a 45-yard touchdown reception on a flea flicker and a 99-yard kickoff return for a score.
It was the fifth kickoff return for a touchdown in Brown’s career, which is the most among active players in major college football. It came two snaps after Brown let a deep pass slip through his hands for an interception.
Brock Vandagriff threw another pick that bounced off the hands of two Kentucky receivers. It was that kind of night for the Wildcats, who gave up a season-high 476 yards and were 1 of 5 on fourth down.
“Pretty tough loss,” Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said. “They were physically very much pushing us around and moving us up front. I felt like we were playing catch-up the entire day. ... Overall, a pretty good butt-whipping there."
Florida finished with 197 yards on the ground against the nation’s 10th-ranked rushing defense. The Gators used unbalanced lines at times to keep the Wildcats guessing, and Baugh did the rest.
The Takeaway
Kentucky: The Wildcats gave up their most points in any game this season, including 24 in the second quarter. It was uncharacteristic for a Mark Stoops-coached team and too many to chase for an offense with so many deficiencies.
Florida: This was the most complete conference game of the season for the Gators, who would have enjoyed a less-stressful victory without allowing touchdowns on a trick play and on a kickoff return. It had to ease a little pressure on coach Billy Napier.
McClain's dazzling debut
Cornerback Cormani McClain, a five-star recruit from Lakeland who spent last season at Colorado, intercepted a pass and returned it 29 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. He seemed to taunt the receiver on his way to the end zone and set off a wild celebration that led to numerous flags for unsportsmanlike conduct.
McClain added another pass breakup in the final minutes.
40-year reunion
The Gators recognized their 1984 team, the first in program history to win the SEC – although the league stripped Florida of the title months later. The NCAA levied a three-year bowl ban and reduced scholarships.
Up Next
Kentucky hosts Auburn next Saturday.
Florida gets a week off before facing rival Georgia in Jacksonville.
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AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll