Super performances from Florida's Matt Jones (156 yards rushing) and Demarcus Robinson (216 yards receiving) were enough for the Florida Gators to survive a scare from the Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday night. It took three overtimes for Florida to secure the 36-30 victory in the opening SEC game for both squads.
It was a sloppy and defensive first half for both teams. In fact, a pair of 35 yard field goals from each team was the highlight of the first half, as the game was tied at 3 apiece going into halftime.
Kentucky's first drive was cut short when Brian Poole intercepted Patrick Towles' pass. That led to a 22 yard field goal for the Florida Gators, courtesy of Francisco Velez.
Kentucky answered with Towles throwing a lob pass over the defender to receiver Garrett Johnson, who strolled into the end zone on the 60 yard pass play after the Gators defenders completely whiffed on the tackle.
Florida's offense came alive after that and their drive was highlighted by the wackiest play of the game. Jeff Driskel's pass was right to Kentucky's Fred Tiller, but it hit off of him and into the waiting arms of Demarcus Robinson, who made the most of it and went to the Kentucky 10 yard line. The next play saw Driskel hit Tevin Westbrook on a little dump pass for the 10 yard touchdown. Florida led 13-10 after a series of wild plays.
Kentucky answered right back with Towles and Johnson hooking up again, this time from 33 yards out on a defensive miscommunication that allowed Johnson to stroll right into the end zone again. Kentucky regained the lead at 17-13.
The Gators had an answer for that score by driving down the field in less than 3 minutes. Driskel's pass to a wide open Robinson gave them the lead at 20-17 heading into the fourth quarter.
The defenses came back in the final quarter with Towles' second interception of the game, this time with Keanu Neal getting the pick. Florida was unable to capitalize when Francisco Velez missed his 39 yard field goal to keep the game at 20-17.
Kentucky did get a 51 yard, game tying field goal from the leg of Austin MacGinnis. The ball appeared to be going wide right, but curved back in to tie the game at 20-20.
Keanu Neal intercepted his second pass of the game with under 30 seconds remaining. Florida attempted a 52 yard field goal with Austin Hardin, but his kick was well to the right and offered fans no hope of the game ending.
The first play of overtime gave Kentucky a 27-20 lead. Towles threw a short flare to Stanley Williams to his right, but Williams was stopped and cut back to the left. He got to the left and edge and dove into the corner for the touchdown. Florida was down to a fourth and 7 from the 9 yard line, but Driskel came through by finding his favorite target in Robinson for the score to tie it up at 27 and send the game to a second overtime.
The second overtime saw both teams hit field goals before the deciding third overtime. Florida's defense was on the field first and forced Kentucky to attempt a 41 yard field goal. Unfortunately for Kentucky, MacGinnis' kick was pushed wide to his right and the Gators needed just a field goal to win. However, Matt Jones had other ideas by running four straight times, including the game winning one yard touchdown plunge to give Florida the 36-30 victory.
Patrick Towles went 24 of 45 for 369 yards with 3 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Other than the interceptions, he played a solid game. He also ran for 22 yards on 9 carries.
Braylon Heard led the Wildcats in rushing with 39 yards on 12 carries. Garrett Johnson caught 6 passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns. Demarco Robinson had 5 catches for 63 yards.
Jeff Driskel went 25 of 43 for 295 yards with 3 touchdowns and an interception. He was helped out immensely by Demarcus Robinson who had an astounding 15 catches for 216 yards and 2 touchdowns in the game. The second leading receiver, Tevin Westbrook, had 2 catches for 25 yards and a touchdown by comparison.
The one-two punch of Matt Jones and Kelvin Taylor seemed to wear down the Kentucky defensive front. Jones finished with 29 carries for 156 yards and the game winning touchdown. Taylor added in 64 yards on 15 carries.
Kentucky (2-1, 0-1) has a bye before facing Vanderbilt (1-2, 0-1) at home on September 27. Florida (2-0, 1-0) will travel to Tuscaloosa to face Alabama (3-0) next week. The Gators have a bye on the 27th before facing Tennessee on the road on October 4.