Kentucky football: 3 takeaways from win over Florida
The list of undefeated teams in FBS college football has been trimmed down to just 22. Kentucky football is still one of those teams.
The Wildcats stayed perfect following a 33-14 win over No. 22 Florida. The win moved Kentucky into the AP Poll for the first time this season.
The Florida Gators took Kentucky football quarterback Devin Leary out of the game, as he only finished with 69 passing yards. But a massive game from running back Ray Davis propelled UK to the win.
For Kentucky football, the win over Florida is massive, but still leaves us with questions heading into a game against top-ranked Georgia.
1. This is Ray Davis’s offense
Coming into the season, a lot of praise was given to Devin Leary. The transfer was the prized acquisition Kentucky football needed to make the offense move. But through four weeks, running back Ray Davis was starting to steal the show.
And then Saturday against Florida happened.
The Gators had no answer for Davis, as the powerful RB took 26 carries for 280 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also caught one pass for nine yards and also found his way into the endzone.
Davis’s monster game was the third most rushing yards ever in a game by a Wildcat. He was just 20 yards short of breaking Moe Williams’ 299-yard rushing game in 1995.
Because of Davis’s explosive game, he now sits in fourth place in FBS college football in rushing yards (594) and tied for fourth in rushing TDs (8). If Davis continues at this pace, Kentucky football will be hard to stop.
2. Maybe Devin Leary wasn’t so great after all
I’m not ready to give up on Devin Leary, but I am ready to admit that the hype was a bit too much.
A tough Florida defense held Leary to 69 passing yards, which is far below what the standard should be for any college football quarterback. His 9-of-19 passing mark was also less than to be desired.
Now five games into the season, Leary has only had two good games, both coming against Eastern Kentucky and Akron. Against SEC competition, Leary is just 24-48 for 274 yards, 2 TDs, and 2 INTs.
Heading into week six, Kentucky football has five ranked opponents in their next seven games. If the Wildcats are to finish the season strong, Leary will need to elevate his play.
3. Kentucky’s defense will be the key going forward
We’ve talked a lot about the offense, which by most standards has been the reason for Kentucky football’s 5-0 start to the season. But with the upcoming schedule against similarly gifted offensive teams, the Wildcats defense will have to perform.
So far, they have, and against Florida they were dominant. UK sacked Graham Mertz three times, picked him off once, and forced a Trevor Etienne fumble. The Wildcats defense also combined for nine tackles for loss, constantly moving the Gators backward.
The notable thing about this Kentucky defense is how it isn’t just one or two players. Eight different players have all had at least one sack, with Trevin Wallace, Deone Walker, and JJ Weaver all picking up multiple to this point.
In the secondary, Maxwell Hairston has made opposing QBs pay, coming up with a trio of interceptions. Linebackers D’Eryk Jackson and Wallace have also come up with picks.
Players from all over this Kentucky defense are making plays, turning the Wildcats into one of the most complete defenses in the SEC.
That defense will be given their biggest test of the season on Saturday against No. 1 Georgia.