Kentucky Ends Losing Streak To Florida With 27-16 Win

The Kentucky Wildcats ended one of college football's longest losing streaks by upsetting the No. 25 ranked Florida Gators 27-16 on Saturday night in Gainesville.

Wildcats quarterback Terry Wilson accounted for three touchdowns, Benny Snell ran for 175 yards and Kentucky beat the Gators for the first time since 1986. Kentucky hadn't won in Gainesville since 1979.

The 31-game streak was the fourth-longest in NCAA history in an uninterrupted series with the Wildcats losing three of the last four meetings by six points or less.

Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops' got a break when SEC officials ruled Evan McPherson's 36-yard field goal attempt was wide right. Replays showed the kick hooking and appearing to cross inside the upright. Instead of trimming the lead to 21-13, the Gators trailed by two scores heading into the quarter of play.

Feleipe Franks connected with Freddie Swain for a 4-yard score with 3:43 remaining that made it 21-16. But Franks missed a wide-open receiver for the 2-point conversion.  The Wildcats couldn't run out the clock, giving Florida one final shot. But Franks fumbled on a play the Gators thought was an incomplete pass, and it was returned for a touchdown on the final play.

Wilson added for 105 yards on the ground, including a 24-yard scoring run also completing 11 of 16 passes for 151 yards, with two TDs and an interception.

For Florida and first-year coach Dan Mullen, it was a reality check after roughing up Charleston Southern 53-6 in the opener.  The Gators also lost an SEC opener for the first time since 2004, a 13-year streak that had been the longest in school history.  Florida hosts Colorado State next week in Gainesville. The Gators will pay ex-coach Jim McElwain's former team $2 million for the trip. It was part of McElwain's buyout from the Rams.


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