GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Kentucky coach Mark Stoops handed Paul “Bear” Bryant because the winningest coach in class historical past in a 26-16 win over No. 12 Florida on Saturday evening, in a efficiency befitting what he has in-built Lexington.

Behind a tricky protection that shut down Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson, the Twentieth-ranked Wildcats beat Florida for the second straight season, the primary time that has occurred since 1976-77. Kentucky has gained three of the previous 5 on this collection, which Florida as soon as dominated.

However over the previous 5 seasons beneath Stoops, Kentucky has been the extra steady program. He has 61 wins in 10 years because the Wildcats’ head coach.

“I am glad it is right here,” Stoops mentioned of the report. “We would have liked this win, and I am simply appreciative to get this chance. It has been a gaggle effort. We won’t do that and win that many video games and keep on this convention that lengthy with out lots of people doing plenty of good issues and dedicated to what we’re making an attempt to realize.”

To win Saturday, Kentucky needed to rally from a 16-13 halftime deficit. The Wildcats dominated the second half, retaining Florida off the scoreboard and Richardson from making the kind of game-changing performs he pulled off in an upset win over Utah per week in the past.

Richardson went 14-of-35 for 143 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions and was restricted to 6 carries for 4 yards. Final week, Richardson scored three touchdowns in a 29-26 win over the Utes.

In keeping with ESPN Stats & Data analysis, Richardson was 9-of-22 for 44 yards with two interceptions on passes thrown 10 or fewer yards downfield. The 40.9% completion fee on such passes was the worst by a Florida quarterback since 2015, when Treon Harris completed at 40% in opposition to Georgia.

“Anthony can do issues higher,” Florida coach Billy Napier mentioned. “That begins with me. I feel a part of teaching is placing your gamers in place the place they will have success. We made errors tonight. Anthony made errors. I made errors. One factor I find out about Anthony, he is a fighter. He will present again up, and he’ll work laborious to enhance. He has that degree of funding and dedication to the gamers and the individuals within the group.”

However the Kentucky protection did extra than simply cease Richardson on the bottom. Keidron Smith returned an interception 65 yards for a landing to assist the Wildcats take the lead for good.

“We had been ready as we speak to go on the market and beat the Florida Gators within the Swamp,” Smith mentioned. “It had nothing to do with Anthony Richardson.”

One motivating issue, past beating Florida, was a remark throughout the week from nationwide media referring to Kentucky as “mushy.” Earlier than he was even requested in regards to the remark, Stoops mentioned, “You bought to be a tricky son of a B to return into this setting and win. All of us perceive that, and we all know this workforce is constructed that method. We have proven it by means of the years. That is who we’re. We will be a tricky, hard-nosed soccer workforce that wins powerful video games it doesn’t matter what they appear like. We could win, we could lose, however by God, we will be powerful, and we confirmed that tonight.”

Kentucky quarterback Will Levis went 13-of-24 for one landing and an interception, enjoying higher within the second half as his offensive line improved in entrance of him. That helped get the working sport going, as Kavosiey Smoke completed with 80 yards. As a result of the protection shut Florida down in addition to it did, counting on a robust floor sport was all of the Wildcats actually wanted to do within the second half. For his half, Levis mentioned, “We needed to get coach Stoops his all-time victory win, that was an enormous motivating issue for us as properly.”

Although the Gators had been the higher-ranked workforce Saturday evening because of their win final week over Utah — leaping from unranked to No. 12 — Stoops could not assist however make one closing quip after the victory.

“This place was rocking and simply coming off an enormous win so heck, we should bounce into the highest 10 I assume now,” Stoops mentioned.