Florida–Kentucky rivalry explained

Wide:yes
Florida–Kentucky rivalry
Team1logo:Florida Gators logo.svg
Team2logo:Kentucky Wildcats logo.svg

The Florida–Kentucky rivalry is a college sports rivalry between the University of Florida Gators and the University of Kentucky Wildcats. The rivalry between these schools, both founding members of the Southeastern Conference,[1] has existed since before the conference's founding. Both teams are historic basketball rivals, both winning multiple national championships and conference championships over the past 100 years. In recent years, the football rivalry between Kentucky and Florida has escalated due to Kentucky breaking a streak of 31 consecutive years where the Florida Gators had beaten them. Despite the lopsidedness of the football series, Kentucky has won four of the last six appearances between the two.

Due to each team enjoying large periods of time of dominance in their respective sports, the two team's fan bases are incredibly hostile towards each other. Examples of this include:

Men's basketball

Florida–Kentucky men's basketball rivalry
Team1logo:Florida Gators logo.svg
Team2logo:Kentucky Wildcats logo.svg
Sport:Men's Basketball
Firstmeeting:January 23, 1927
Kentucky 44, Florida 36
Mostrecent:January 31, 2024
Florida 94, Kentucky 91OT
Nextmeeting:2025
Stadiums:Rupp Arena (Kentucky)O'Connell Center (Florida)
Total:152
Series:Kentucky, 110–42
Longeststreak:Kentucky, 18 (1942–1964)
Currentstreak:Florida, 1 (2024–present)

In basketball, the two schools are permanent SEC rivals, meaning that they are scheduled to play twice a year in the SEC regular season while they rotate which four of the other 12 SEC teams they will play twice that season. Florida and Kentucky first met in 1927, with Kentucky winning 44–36. The two teams have played 149 times in total, with Kentucky holding a commanding 104–40 lead in the series. Despite Kentucky's lopsided series lead, this rivalry has produced many memorable games, including several match-ups in the SEC Tournament Championship Game (the most recent of which Florida defeated Kentucky 61–60, in 2014). Billy Donovan's arrival to Gainesville increased the competitiveness, with the rivalry placing seventh-best in college basketball on a 2013 ranking by Bleacher Report.[2] In addition, the Gators also hold the distinction of being the only team to ever defeat Kentucky seven straight times.[8]

Kentucky leads the overall series 110–42, and leads the SEC Championship Game series 3–2. However, the rivalry has become much more even lately in the 2000s and 2010s,[9] with Kentucky holding a 24–17 series lead since 2005, and Florida having a 2–1 advantage in the last three SEC Championship Game meetings. Kentucky victories are shaded blue, Florida victories are shaded orange. Games with * denote a meeting in the SEC Tournament, while games with ** denote a meeting in the SEC Tournament Championship Game.

Game results

Football

Florida–Kentucky football rivalry
Team1logo:Florida Gators logo.svg
Team2logo:Kentucky Wildcats logo.svg
Firstmeeting:November 29, 1917
Kentucky 52, Florida 0
Mostrecent:September 30, 2023
Kentucky 33, Florida 14
Nextmeeting:October 19, 2024
Stadiums:Kroger Field (Kentucky)
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (Florida)
Trophy:None
Total:74
Series:Florida leads 53–20
Largestvictory:Florida, 73–7 (1994)
Longeststreak:Florida, 31 (1987–2017)
Currentstreak:Kentucky, 2 (2022–present)

When the Southeastern Conference (SEC) split into geographical divisions in 1992,[10] Florida and Kentucky were both placed in the SEC East. This guarantees that both teams play each other every season, which they have done consecutively since 1967. The Gators and Wildcats will meet in 2024 despite the end of SEC divisions after the 2023 season.[11] The two teams have played 74 times, with Florida holding a 53–21 lead in the series. From 1987 to 2017, Florida won every single game between the two schools. This 31-year streak was the third longest in FBS history, and the longest in the Southeastern Conference's history. Since 2017, the series has become incredibly competitive with a 4–3 split between the two teams with the winning margin being 11.4 points on average. Because of this, this rivalry is relatively new even though the series dates back to 1917.

Former Florida head coach Steve Spurrier was notable for having a particular disdain for Kentucky. During his tenure at Florida, he was known for running up the score in non-competitive games. In his 12 years coaching the Gators, Spurrier never lost to Kentucky, winning by an average score of 32.7 points. Spurrier was famous for the comments he made about his opponents (often referred to as "Spurrierisms")[12] [13] but he poked fun at Kentucky the most.[14] Even after leaving Florida, Steve Spurrier would go out of his way to make comments at Kentucky's expense. In November 2004, Steve Spurrier accepted the head coaching job at the University of South Carolina.[15] [16] In 2006, The South Carolina Gamecocks upset their rival, the Clemson Tigers. In the following week, Clemson would go on to lose to Kentucky in the 2006 Music City Bowl. Following the bowl game, Steve Spurrier said" "We thought we had done something good beating Clemson. And then Kentucky beat 'em."[17]

From 1967 to 1991, the teams played on either the second or third Saturday in November.[18] [19] Since SEC expansion in 1992, the teams have, for the most part, played in September, with only four exceptions.[20] [21] The 2007, 2008 and 2021 games were played in October while the 2020 game took place in November.[22]

Notable games

1917: First meeting | Kentucky 52 – Florida 0

The Kentucky Wildcats defeated the Florida Gators 52–0 in the first-ever meeting between the schools.[23] [24] To date, this is Kentucky's largest margin of victory over Florida.[25] [26]

1927: Florida's first win | Florida 27 – Kentucky 6

In the third all-time meeting in series history, the Florida Gators defeated the Kentucky Wildcats by a score of 27–6.[27] This was Florida's first-ever football win over Kentucky.[28]

1951: Bear's bunch make it four in a row | Kentucky 14 – Florida 6

Led by head coach Bear Bryant, the Wildcats defeated the Gators by a score of 14–6 to earn their fourth straight win in the rivalry.[29] The four-game streak is Kentucky's longest in the history of the series.[30] Bryant would leave Kentucky two years later for Texas A&M's head coaching job before ultimately cementing his legacy as one of college football's greatest head coaches at Alabama.[31]

1967: Beginning of the annual series | Florida 28 – Kentucky 12

The Florida Gators defeated the Kentucky Wildcats by a score of 28–12.[32] [33] The Gators and Wildcats have met every year without interruption on the football field since 1967.[34] [35]

1980: Collinsworth's catch | Florida 17 – Kentucky 15

Gators receiver Cris Collinsworth made a tiptoe catch on the sideline that was disputed by Wildcats head coach Fran Curci.[36] The catch helped set up kicker Brian Clark's game-winning 34-yard field goal in the closing seconds to win it for Florida.[37]

1986: Kentucky's last win of the century | Kentucky 10 – Florida 3

The Wildcats' "Wild Tackle 6" defense under head coach Jerry Claiborne held the Gators offense to just 220 total yards and three points as Kentucky won 10–3.[38] The weather was cold and misty throughout the day at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington.[39] This would be the Wildcats last win over the Gators in the 20th century and last until 2018.[40] [41]

1987: The streak begins | Florida 27 – Kentucky 14

Gators wide receiver Stacey Simmons returned the opening kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown and added a 39-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Kerwin Bell as Florida beat Kentucky by a score of 27–14.[42] This would be the first of Florida's 31 consecutive wins over Kentucky that wouldn't end until 2018.[43] [44]

1993: Wuerffel to Doering | Florida 24 – Kentucky 20

Gators quarterback Danny Wuerffel hit wide receiver Chris Doering with a 28-yard touchdown pass with three seconds remaining as Florida overcame seven turnovers committed in the game to win 24–20, breaking the hearts of the Kentucky faithful who had anxiously hoped for an upset.[45] The seven turnovers forced by the Kentucky defense was a school record.[46] Wuerffel, a redshirt freshman, made his second career start in the 1993 game against the Wildcats.[47] Wuerffel would go on to win the Heisman Trophy in 1996.[48] [49]

1994: "Disaster at every turn" | Florida 73 – Kentucky 7

In the 1994 meeting between Kentucky and Florida, the Gators dominated the Wildcats 73–7.[50] [51] This 66-point rout was the worst defeat in 91 years for the Kentucky Wildcats. When asked about it, Kentucky head coach Bill Curry said: "It was just no contest...It was a disaster at every turn."[52] Florida head coach Steve Spurrier followed up by saying "Obviously it got out of hand there...We didn't really plan on it, but it just worked out that way."[53] Kentucky's season would produce more of the same, with the Wildcats going 1–10. Florida would enjoy a strong season, going 10–2–1 with an eventual loss to Florida State in the Sugar Bowl.

1996: "It proves we're better than Kentucky" | Florida 65 – Kentucky 0

In one of Florida's most dominant games, they beat Kentucky 65–0.[54] [55] Led by star quarterback Tim Couch, Kentucky traveled to Gainesville with hopes of upsetting the No. 1 ranked team in the country.[56] Kentucky never stood a chance, gaining only 67 yards the entire game.[57] Following the game, Steve Spurrier was asked "What does this victory prove about your team?" He replied: "These sort of games don't prove very much. All it proves is we're better than Kentucky."[58] [59] Later that season, Kentucky would fire their head coach, Bill Curry.[60] [61] Steve Spurrier would conclude his 1996 season with a national championship, the first in Florida's illustrious history.

1997: Onside kick game | Florida 55 – Kentucky 28

Following the dismissal of Kentucky's Bill Curry, the Wildcats hired Hal Mumme as his replacement.[62] Hal Mumme was a primary architect of the modern Air raid offense, an offense notable for moving at a fast pace and throwing often.[63] [64] [65] Mumme would also be known for his particularly bad defenses.[66] In 1997 meeting between Kentucky and Florida, Kentucky's defense struggled mightily.[67] To prevent the defense from having to play, Kentucky head coach Hal Mumme called for several onside kicks throughout the game.[68] [69] When asked about it after the game, Steve Spurrier remarked: "If I had a defense like Hal Mumme has, I would be trying them on every kickoff."[70] [71] [72] Kentucky would end their 1997 season 5–6, missing a bowl game. Florida would conclude their 1997 season going 10–2, beating Penn State in the Florida Citrus Bowl.

2000: Spurrier runs up the score | Florida 59 – Kentucky 31

In 2000, Kentucky quarterback Jared Lorenzen threw for 360 yards and 2 touchdowns against the Gators.[73] [74] Spurrier responded by refusing to take a knee to end the game.[75] With 1:13 to go in the game, Florida quarterback Rex Grossman threw a 43-yard touchdown pass to Florida wide receiver Jabbar Gaffney.[76] Spurrier faced backlash from the Kentucky fanbase, which he responded to by saying: "I guess they're upset about that pass. Well I called it. If there's 1:13 left, would that have been any nicer? They were padding their stats and I decided we were going to pad ours. Because ours were sufferin'. If Kentucky wants to be mad about it, we'll be up in Lexington next year, and they can do something about it then."[77] [78] Kentucky would go on to only win 2 games in the 2000 season. Following the season's conclusion, Kentucky would part ways with head coach Hal Mumme as a result of a recruiting scandal.[79] [80] [81]

2003: Gators rally from 18 down in the fourth | Florida 24 – Kentucky 21

Gators running back Ran Carthon's one-yard touchdown run with 3:15 left in the fourth quarter capped another Florida win over Kentucky.[82] Trailing by 18 points in the fourth quarter, this marked the largest comeback in terms of deficit in the history of the Gators football program.[83] Notably, this was Gators quarterback Chris Leak's first career college start.[84] [85] This was also Kentucky head coach Rich Brooks' first Florida–Kentucky football game, as he had taken over the Wildcats program prior to the 2003 season.[86]

2007: College GameDay appearance | Florida 45 – Kentucky 37

ESPN's College GameDay made an appearance at the 2007 game between the Gators and Wildcats, the only time ESPN's flagship college football pre-game show has made an appearance at a Florida–Kentucky football game.[87] [88] Both teams were playing good football entering the contest, with Kentucky fresh off a home upset of eventual national champion and then-top-ranked LSU in triple overtime and entering the game with a 6–1 record to start the season.[89] [90] Florida, meanwhile, was 4–2 on the season and had lost to the same LSU team Kentucky had just beaten the week before the Wildcats played LSU.[91] [92] [93] The game proved to be a back and forth contest but the Gators ultimately prevailed with a 45–37 win, the Gators' 21st in a row over the Wildcats.[94]

2009: Tebow injury | Florida 41 – Kentucky 7

The No. 1 ranked Florida Gators crushed the Kentucky Wildcats as the defending national champions won by 34 points.[95] Notably, Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Tim Tebow entered the game with a respiratory illness.[96] [97] During the game, Kentucky defensive end Taylor Wyndham hit Tebow, knocking him to the ground where he hit his head on a teammate's knee.[98] After hitting the ground, he remained "motionless".[99] He was later helped to the sidelines, where he vomited.[100] He was taken by ambulance to the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center,[101] where he stayed overnight and was diagnosed with a concussion.[102] Tim Tebow would go on to play in Florida's next game two weeks later,[103] and for the remainder of the season which saw Florida beat Cincinnati 51–24 in the Sugar Bowl.[104] [105] [106] Kentucky would also make a bowl appearance, which they would lose to Clemson 21–13.[107] [108] This would be Kentucky head coach Rich Brooks' last Florida–Kentucky game, as he would retire following the conclusion of the 2009 season.[109]

2014: Triple overtime thriller | Florida 36 – Kentucky 30

The Florida Gators defeated the Kentucky Wildcats 36–30 in painful fashion as they win in triple overtime.[110] The game was close throughout, but had a controversial overtime frame. In the first frame of overtime, Florida converted on a 4th and 7 for a 9-yard touchdown score. Kentucky argued that Florida didn't start the play in time, and thus should have been penalized. Following the competition of the game, the SEC released a statement regarding the call:

"the conference office reviewed the fourth down play in the first overtime of the Kentucky-Florida game and has determined the officials applied the proper mechanics and guidelines that are in place to determine when a flag should be thrown for delay of game. The back judge is responsible for delay of game calls. The procedure for the back judge is for his eyes to stay on the clock when it nears zero. When the clock hits zero, he immediately looks from the clock to the ball. If the ball is moving, there is no delay of game. If the ball is stationary, a delay of game penalty is called."

As overtime continued, Kentucky missed a crucial 41-yard field goal. Florida followed this up with a 1-yard rushing touchdown to end the game. Florida would finish the season 7–5 with a bowl win over East Carolina.[111] Kentucky would finish 5–7, missing a bowl. This would be Florida head coach Will Muschamp's last Florida–Kentucky game, as he was fired at the end of the 2014 season.[112]

2017: Two blown coverages | Florida 28 – Kentucky 27

The Gators escaped with a 28–27 win in Lexington, overcoming a 13-point fourth quarter deficit to once again break the Wildcats' hearts.[113] Florida took advantage of two blown Kentucky coverages during the game to complete wide open passes to help seal the comeback.[114] The Wildcats still had a chance to win it late, but senior kicker Austin MacGinnis missed a 57-yard field goal as time expired.[115] [116] This would be the last of Florida's 31 consecutive wins over Kentucky dating back to 1987.[117] This would also be Florida head coach Jim McElwain's last Florida–Kentucky game, as he and the university administration agreed to part ways amidst on-field struggles and off-field controversies five weeks later.[118]

2018: "The streak is broken!" | Kentucky 27 – Florida 16

By a score of 27–16, the Kentucky Wildcats defeated the Florida Gators for the first time since 1986 (and for the first time in Gainesville since 1979).[119] At that point, it was the longest active streak of one team beating another in FBS. Also notably, this was the first SEC opener Florida has lost since 2004, a 13-year streak. Kentucky put up over 450 offensive yards compared to Florida's 360 as the Wildcats overwhelmed a solid Gators defense. Both teams would go on to have successful seasons, with both teams making a New Year's Six Bowl appearance (Kentucky making the Citrus Bowl[120] and Florida making the Peach Bowl).[121] This was Florida head coach Dan Mullen's first Florida–Kentucky game leading the Gators football program, as he had previously served as the Gators offensive coordinator from 2005 to 2008 under Urban Meyer.[122] [123]

2021: Field storming | Kentucky 20 – Florida 13, Vacated win

The Kentucky Wildcats defeated the Florida Gators in Lexington for the first time since 1986.[124] The game was notable for the atmosphere at Kroger Field, hosting 61,632 fans that disrupted the Florida offense.[125] Throughout the game, Florida suffered 15 penalties, 8 of which were false start penalties.[126] The game ended in dramatic fashion with Kentucky holding Florida on 7-straight goal line plays (Florida was able to get another set of downs after a 3rd and goal face mask call against Kentucky). At the completion of the game, Kentucky fans stormed the field, which resulted in a fine levied against the school by the SEC.[127] In the following weeks after the game, Florida would continue to struggle, resulting in the firing of head coach Dan Mullen.[128] Despite this, Florida would still make a bowl game, which they would lose.[129] [130] Kentucky would enjoy a successful season, winning 10 games including their bowl game.[131] Mullen lost to Kentucky twice in his four seasons leading the Gators football program.[132] [133]

Kentucky this win in August 2024.[134]

2022: Kentucky goes back to back | Kentucky 26 – Florida 16

The Wildcats defeated the Gators by a score of 26–16 to earn their second straight win over the Gators.[135] The win marked the first time Kentucky defeated Florida in consecutive meetings since their wins in 1976 and 1977.[136] The 2022 meeting was Florida head coach Billy Napier's first taste of the Florida–Kentucky football rivalry.[137]

2023: Ray's career day | Kentucky 33 – Florida 14

The Kentucky Wildcats blew out the Florida Gators 33–14 in Lexington behind Kentucky running back Ray Davis's career game.[138] In the game, Ray Davis rushed for 280 yards and scored 4-total touchdowns in a historic 33–14 victory for the Wildcats.[139] [140] 280 yards is the third most in Kentucky football history for a single game (behind Moe Williams's 299 yards in 1995 and Lynn Bowden Jr's 284 yards in 2019) and is the most by any single player in the history of the Florida–Kentucky football rivalry. Notably, this victory was the first time the Kentucky Wildcats had beaten the Florida Gators in three straight meetings since 1949–1951.[141]

Game results

See also

Notes and References

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  3. Web site: Clark . Dave . Kentucky Wildcats AD Barnhart: Hurricane Irma sign 'insensitive and offensive' . October 1, 2023 . The Enquirer . en-US.
  4. Web site: Pharis . Tristan . February 6, 2023 . Kentucky Blue Coat Who Gave Florida 'The Bird', Let Go by UK Athletics, Movement Starts on Twitter . September 26, 2023 . KY Insider . en-us.
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  6. Web site: March 1, 2023 . 8 ejected after UK-Florida scuffle at SEC tourney . October 1, 2023 . ESPN.com . en.
  7. Web site: Blue . Nation of . September 30, 2023 . Watch: A shirtless Florida fan had his day cut short at Kroger Field – . October 1, 2023 . en-US.
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  128. Web site: Florida fires Mullen, looking for sustained success . November 21, 2021 .
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  131. Web site: Photo slideshow: Kentucky defeats Iowa 20–17 in the Citrus Bowl . Lexington Herald Leader . January 1, 2022 . October 7, 2023.
  132. Web site: Dan Mullen hammered on social media after his 2nd loss to Kentucky in 4 years . October 2, 2021 .
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  135. News: Florida Gators Fall Back to Earth with 26–16 Loss to Kentucky – Sports Illustrated Florida Gators News, Analysis and More . en . Sports Illustrated Florida Gators News, Analysis and More . October 3, 2023.
  136. Web site: Final statistics from No. 20 Kentucky football's 26–16 win at No. 12 Florida. October 2, 2023 . KentuckySports.
  137. Web site: Losing to Kentucky shows Florida Gators they have a long way to go David Whitley. David. Whitley. Gator Sports. October 7, 2023.
  138. Web site: Florida 14–33 Kentucky (Sep 30, 2023) Game Recap. ESPN. October 7, 2023.
  139. Web site: FINAL: Kentucky 33, No. 22 Florida 14. Florida Gators. October 7, 2023.
  140. Web site: Gators overrun at Kentucky, suffer third straight loss to Wildcats. September 30, 2023. October 7, 2023.
  141. Web site: Florida 14–33 Kentucky (Sep 30, 2023) Game Recap . September 30, 2023 . ESPN . en.

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