--Dooley: This win is big
Florida Gators defensive back Vernon Hargreaves, III (1) steps over Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Patrick Towles (14) after making a play during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014 in Gainesville, Fla. Florida defeated Kentucky 36-30 in triple overtime. (Matt Stamey/Staff photographer)
The Gainesville SunPublished: Saturday, September 13, 2014 at 6:01 a.m.
Last Modified: Sunday, September 14, 2014 at 1:55 a.m.
It wasn't Alabama or LSU or Georgia or FSU. It was only Kentucky. You know Kentucky. You know about all the streaks. It was only Kentucky.
But they celebrated like it was much bigger than their 28th straight win over Kentucky because of how it happened. They mobbed Matt Jones after he scored the game-winning touchdown in the third overtime. They celebrated with their fans, who stayed with them no matter how bad things looked.
And then they went to their locker room and collapsed in exhaustion.
It was an all-nighter, this incredible game that almost lasted until Sunday. There were no lightning delays, but plenty of delays for first-half changes of possession after punts and a few delay of games as well.
One was not called and it was huge.
In the first overtime, a team that looked doomed so often in the second half really looked like it was in trouble. It was fourth-and-7 at the nine and the play clock was winding down. Whether it reached zero or not before the ball was snapped, well, it was close.
But the officials didn't call it and Jeff Driskel, who was brilliant at times and just awful at others, lofted a perfect pass to Demarcus Robinson.
It was his 15th catch of the game and his most important.
Kentucky coach Mark Stoops was so incensed he stormed the field to question the head official. He kept motioning to officials that they should have thrown a flag.
Instead, Florida lived to see another overtime.
"I certainly know our officials would have blown it dead on us if we hadn't been able to get it off on time," Florida coach Will Muschamp said.
And finally, when Kentucky missed a field goal and Florida pounded Jones at a tired defense until it gave in, Florida had done it again.
Make no mistake about it, if Kentucky had won this game it would not have been a fluke. It fact, it was more of a fluke that Florida won.
Kentucky had so many of those plays that always seem to doom it during what is now a 28-game losing streak to the mighty Gators. But this time it looked like the Wildcats would overcome them.
Even a sure interception that became a big completion for Florida and another ball dropped by a receiver into the hands of safety Keanu Neal didn't deter Kentucky.
Because the Florida offense had sleepwalked through the first half and gave Florida fans nightmares about last season and kept Kentucky in the game. And in the second half, Kentucky realized not only that it could beat Florida, but how to beat Florida — by taking advantage of the Gators' inexperienced secondary.
"We've got to tie some things up in the secondary," said Muschamp. "There's a lot to be corrected."
There is going to be a lot of gnashing of teeth all week about the way this team played this game. There are plenty of things not to be happy about.
The offensive line struggled mightily. Driskel was in trouble often.
And he made some poor decisions that you hoped were behind him. And his deep throws were not good at all.
And the secondary is really an issue.
And we're not so sure about this new offense that scored three points in the first half against Kentucky and seemingly ignored every pass-catcher on the team that wasn't wearing Steve Spurrier's old number.
There was a lot not to like about this performance, but there are things to like and especially the fact the Gators did not lose a football game Saturday night.
It's a long way from being good enough to even think about winning in Tuscaloosa next week. A long way.
But it's like I always say about getting old.
It beats the alternative.
Contact Pat Dooley at 352-374-5053 or atdooleyp@gvillesun.com. And follow at Twitter.com/Pat_Dooley.
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Sunday, September 14, 2014
[gatortalk] Re: [gatornews] [SUN]: Dooley: This win is big
"And we're not so sure about this new offense that scored three points in the first half against Kentucky and seemingly ignored every pass-catcher on the team that wasn't wearing Steve Spurrier's old number."
Since every receiver not wearing Spurrier's old number kept dropping catchable passes early in the game, I can't say I blame Roper and/or Driskel for sticking with Robinson. He caught nearly everything that came his way all night. It feels good to finally have a standout receiver on the team.
Rob
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