Kentucky explodes for 21 in 2nd quarter, just 30 minutes from snapping SEC home losing streak

Mark Stoops and Kentucky are playing their best football of the season and are just 30 minutes away from finally snapping the dreaded 10-game SEC home losing streak. The Cats lead Florida 24-7 at halftime.

It's been a half of explosive offense and suffocating defense. Florida's DJ Lagway is in a nightmare, having thrown three interceptions in a shocking first half for the Gators.

Kentucky got on the board first, 3-0, before disaster struck. Ja'mori Maclin muffed a punt inside his own 20, gifting Florida a short field and their only score of the game.

After going down 7-3, it was all Kentucky.

The offense exploded for 21 straight points in the 2nd quarter—the most they have scored in a single quarter all year. To put that in perspective, that's more than Bush Hamdan's offense has scored in the entirety of most SEC games. Big time offensive play tonight over in Kroger.

Cutter Boley has been sharp, throwing for 150 yards and two touchdowns (one to J.J. Hester, one to Jason Patterson). The defense has been the story, with Ty Bryant, Quay'sheed Scott, and Daveren Rayner all grabbing interceptions. Kentucky has been so effective they have not punted once. They have dominated Florida in nearly every way.

"It's going to be a 4-quarter game"

The only thing stopping this from being a bigger blowout is Kentucky's own mistakes, the muffed punt and a Cutter Boley interception right before the half.

When speaking at halftime, Mark Stoops was focused on finishing.

“I feel like we are playing good in all 3 phases. Obviously we can't have a fumbled punt return, gotta clean that up," Stoops said. "We have a chance to really take a commanding lead... just can't turn it over there."

"We just gotta continue to be disruptive... the guys are playing well... just gotta keep it going. It is going to be a 4-quarter game."

The Cats get the ball to start the second half with a chance to take a commanding lead. The question is, can this team finally play a full 60 minutes and close the deal?

Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time he enjoys downtime with his family and Premier League soccer. You can find him on X here. Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion