Big Blue Preview: 20th-Ranked Cats Visit No. 12 Florida

Preview

The No. 20/20 College of Kentucky soccer program started one of the crucial anticipated seasons at school historical past final Saturday, only one yr faraway from recording its second 10-win marketing campaign up to now 4 seasons (2018, 2021).

Mark Stoops, who tied Paul “Bear” Bryant because the winningest head coach in program historical past with a win over Miami (Ohio) within the season opener, will look to snap that tie with Kentucky’s second straight win towards Florida this weekend. The sport, which can mark the Southeastern Convention opener for each groups, will kick off Saturday, Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida, on ESPN with Joe Tessitore, Greg McElroy and Katie George on the decision.

The Wildcats will depend on returning quarterback Will Levis to satisfy the lofty reward he has obtained within the preseason. The Cats will even financial institution skilled defenders DeAndre Sq., J.J. Weaver, Jordan Wright and Jacquez Jones.

Cat Scratches: Stoops and Cats Adjusting, Getting ready for Florida

Kentucky opened its 2022 season with a 37-13 win over Miami (Ohio) at Kroger Area on Saturday. As with every opening sport, there was some good and a few not so good, in accordance with UK head coach Mark Stoops.

“Sport one, week one, after the sport, it’s by no means fairly as unhealthy as you assume it’s, it’s by no means fairly pretty much as good,” Stoops stated.

Stoops cited his offensive line play as one space that the employees wanted to handle.

“There’s definitely some issues all of us felt, popping out of the sport, that have to be checked out, have to be addressed and we have to enhance,” Stoops stated. “And that’s, being bodily, having the ability to run the soccer and having the ability to shield the quarterback.”

Nonetheless, with previous expertise as his information, Stoops thinks that the Cats will make the required changes…Learn Extra

Contained in the Collection with Florida

• Kentucky trails the all-time collection towards Florida, 53-19, together with an 8-31 mark within the state of Florida (UK has received 5 video games in Gainesville, two video games in Jacksonville and one sport in Tampa).
• The 2 groups have cut up the final 4 conferences, with every workforce profitable as soon as on the highway.
• Kentucky defeated Florida, 20-13, in Lexington final season, with linebacker Jacquez Jones making the game-saving play within the remaining seconds. Earlier within the sport, freshman Trevin Wallace turned the momentum with a blocked discipline return for a landing.
• UK final received in The Swamp in 2018, snapping a 31-year drought towards UF. Furthermore, the Cats had not received in Gainesville since 1979.
• Six of the previous eight conferences have seen the end result doubtful deep into the fourth quarter
• Largest UK win: 52 (52-0 in 1917)
• Largest Florida win: 66 (73-7 in 1996)
• Video games determined by eight factors or much less: Florida leads 16-8
• UK head coach Mark Stoops is 2-7 vs. Florida throughout his tenure

Final Assembly vs. Florida

• Kentucky defeated No. 10 Florida, 20-13, at Kroger Area.
• UK overcame a 10-7 halftime deficit and scored the game-winning landing when freshman Trevin Wallace returned a blocked discipline aim 76 yards for a rating.
• Linebacker Jacquez Jones batted down a go in the long run zone within the closing seconds to seal the win.
• Working again Chris Rodriguez Jr. had 99 dashing yards and a rating and linebacker DeAndre Sq. had 13 tackles.

By the Numbers

2
10-win seasons within the final 4 years by Kentucky

4
Faculty-record 4 consecutive bowl wins

8
Straight discipline objectives made by UK kicker Matt Ruffolo

34
Wins because the begin of 2018, rating twelfth amongst Energy 5 applications

60
Wins at UK by Mark Stoops, tied with Paul “Bear” Bryant for many at school historical past