On Saturday at Florida Field, otherwise known as “The Swamp,” Kentucky faced a situation it had faced many times before. The Cats found themselves playing 12th-ranked Florida, trailing by just three at the half.
But over the years, Kentucky fans have seen their team be competitive against a top-ranked opponent for a half, only to lose, sometimes in heartbreaking fashion.
News flash – this is not the same old Kentucky. Instead of seeing the top-ranked Gators pull away in the second half, it was the Cats who made big play after big play in the second 30 minutes on their way to a 26-16 victory over Florida.
SIXTY ONE!! pic.twitter.com/NrKfGPoVFU
— Kentucky Athletics (@UKAthletics) September 11, 2022
The Cats won at The Swamp for the second time in three visits. The Cats beat Florida in back-to-back seasons for the first time in 45 years (1976 and ’77).
Why is this important? Well, it wasn’t that long ago that Florida had won 31 straight games against Kentucky. Not just in Gainesville, but in general. That’s right, 31 straight times Kentucky and Florida met, and 31 straight times, the Gators were the winners.
But that was before Mark Stoops arrived in Lexington. It was absolutely fitting that Kentucky topped Florida for Stoops’ 61st victory as a UK head coach, breaking Hall of Famer Paul “Bear” Bryant’s school record because it shows how far the UK coach has taken him. Joined this program during his 10 years in Lexington.
(In case you were wondering – yes, that Paul “Bear” Bryant).
Before Stoops came along, Kentucky honestly wasn’t on Florida’s level. The Gators were winning Southeastern Conference and national championships, while Kentucky sometimes struggled just to have a .500 record.
Stoops is not a focus on individual accomplishments. But after the game, he told ESPN’s Katie George what Bryant’s passing meant to him.
“Lucky,” Stoops said. “Many players, great coaches have passed through here. To be able to persevere through this tough conference, I have nothing but respect and appreciation.”
Stoops has been methodical in building Kentucky’s program. He recruited. He has developed talent. He has built a culture. He, his coaches and players worked hard.
Saturday’s win was right up Stoops’ alley. It was a defensive battle for most of the night and Stoops saw his defense make the two plays they won.
With the Cats trailing 16-7 late in the first half, Jordan Wright intercepted Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson and returned the ball deep into Florida territory. The Cats got a Will Levis touchdown to pull within 16-13 at the half.
Then, with the game tied at 16-16, Great Britain’s Keidron Smith intercepted Richardson and returned it 65 yards for a touchdown, giving UK the lead for good.
Stoops began his career at UK going 12-24 in three seasons. Since then, he has won 49 matches with only 29 losses. And it all led to Saturday’s moment, when Stoops set the record for most wins in Kentucky football history.
But Stoops being Stoops, he’ll get right back to work tomorrow, focusing on Youngstown State. That’s how he built this program, and that’s how a legend passed on this night in Gainesville.
