Florida football vs. Kentucky recap: How the Florida Gators lost their third straight to the Wildcats

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Florida football will look to extend its win streak to four games when it plays at Kentucky on Saturday at Kroger Field (noon, ESPN).

The No. 23 Florida Gators (3-1, 1-0 SEC) are coming off their third straight win, beating Charlotte 22-7 at The Swamp last week. It's the longest win streak for UF since winning six in a row from Oct. 31-Dec. 5 2020.

Florida holds a 53-20 mark in the overall series, but has a score to settle, as Kentucky (4-0, 1-0 SEC) has won three of the last five meetings between the two schools, including two in a row.

The Gators are also seeking their first road win since knocking off Texas A&M 41-24 on Nov. 5, 2022. Florida has dropped three straight on the road since.

"We come to every game with the same type of mentality," Florida defensive lineman Caleb Banks said. "We're going to come as hard as we can to possibly win on the road, first SEC game on the road. We're going to take that very personal and do what we've got to do to win."

Florida football game time, TV channel, betting odds today vs. Kentucky

KICKOFF: noon

TV: ESPN

BETTING ODDS: Kentucky by 1.5

Kentucky wins 33-14 | 3:15 p.m.

Wildcats win their third straight over the Gators. Kentucky exploded to a 23-0 lead in the first half. Florida never cut the deficit closer than 16. UK RB Ray Davis ran for a 280 yards and three TDs on 26 carries. Set an FBS record for most rush yards thus far this season. Graham Mertz finished 25-30 for 244 yards and two TDs with an interception. Wildcats remain undefeated at 5-0, while the 23rd-ranked Gators fall to 3-2 and will likely lose their top 25 ranking.

Back to a three possession game

Kentucky's Alex Raynor boots through a 50 yard FG to extend UK's lead to 33-14. Ends a six play, 15 yard drive for the Wildcats after they took over in good field position after Florida failed to convert on fourth down near midfield.

End of third: Kentucky 30, Florida 14

Florida and Kentucky score seven points each. Gators will start with the ball.

Pearsall cuts Florida's deficit

Rick Pearsall keeps his momentum going as he extends into the end zone for a 33 yard TD from Graham Mertz. Ends a seven play, 75 yard drive that lasted 3:37. Two possession game for UF now. 30-14 Kentucky with 7:17 left in the third.

Ray Davis adds to Kentucky's lead

The Ray Davis show continues in Lexington. The UK running back is now up to 249 yards and three TDs on 17 carries. Ends an eight play, 68 yard drive that lasted 4:06 for the Wildcats. Kentucky lead grows to 30-7 with 10:54 left in the third quarter.

Halftime, Kentucky 23, Florida football 7

The Gators have dug themselves a big-time hole in the first half because they've been unable to stop Kentucky running back Ray Davis (206 yards rushing, 9 yards receiving, 2 rushing TDs, 1 receiving TD). Florida showed signs of life with a TD drive late in the first half. Florida quarterback Graham Mertz went 10 of 15 with 108 yards passing in the first half with 1 TD and 1 interception.

Florida Gators score touchdown before end of first half

Florida puts together a touchdown drive before the end of the end of the first half. The Gators went 6 plays in 75 yards, with quarterback Graham Mertz connecting with tight end Hayden Hansen on a 4-yard TD pass to cut Kentucly's lead to 23-7 with 34 seconds left in the half. The touchdown was set up by a spectacular catch on a 34-yard pass from Mertz to wide receiver Caleb Douglas down to the UK 1-yard line. Unfortunately, Douglas appeared to injure his ankle on his play and was taken back to the locker room before halftime.

Another TD for Kentucky RB Ray Davis

Another touchdown run from UK running back Ray Davis extends Kentucky lead to 23-0 on Florida. Davis has rushed for a career-high 206 yards and 3 TDs, and we're only in the second quarter. Kentucky scoring drive went 80 yards in 7 plays.

End 1st quarter

Kentucky 16, Florida 0. Kentucky RB Ray Davis dominating this game with 141 yards rushing, 9 yards receiving and two TDs.

Another costly special teams mistake for Florida football leads to Kentucky TD

It's gotten from bad to worse for UF's special teams. Florida appeared to force a three-and-out deep in Kentucky's end of the field. but on the punt block attempt, Florida freshman Dijon Johnson was whistled for a 15-yard penalty for attempting to leap over the Kentucky offensive line. With new life, Kentucky running back Ray Davis then rushed 75 yards for a touchdown, giving UK a 16-0 lead. Florida did block the extra point attempt.

Kentucky cashes in on Florida football turnover, extends lead

Kentucky cashes in on a Florida turnover, extending its lead to 10-0 on a 9-yard TD pass from quarterback Devin Leary to running back Ray Davis. The Wildcats drove 2 plays in 15 yards after Kentucky came up with its ninth takeaway of the season, as linebacker Trevin Wallace picked off a Graham Mertz that was bobbled by UF tight end Arlis Boardingham.

Kentucky scores first

Kentucky takes a 3-0 lead on Florida on an Alex Raynor field goal with 7:13 left in the first quarter. The Wildcats drove 12 plays in 81 yards with Ray Davis rushing for 60 yards. The Gators caught a break when Kentucky WR Barion Brown dropped a pass wide open in the end zone on 3rd-and-goal from the 7-yard line.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Florida Gators football score updates vs. Kentucky Wildcats