Could kicker Matt Ruffolo be the difference for Kentucky against Florida? (Vicky Graff Photo)
For everyone that watched the first half of Kentucky versus Miami of Ohio last Saturday night we didn’t see much of what we expected. With a weather forecast that called for a 100 percent chance of rain we all expected to see Kentucky in a constant downpour using a punishing ground game with some play action passes mixed in on offense and a defense that was very stout across the front seven — linebackers and defensive line — with maybe some fingers crossed kind of hopefulness for improvement in the secondary.
What we saw was dry weather and a UK defense that looked like a leaky umbrella as it gave up a game-opening drive for a touchdown due to a defensive line that looked slightly out of position while the secondary also played extremely soft coverage at the corners. Fortunately for Kentucky fans, after Miami blew through the Wildcat defense on the first drive of the game the UK offense brought a storm of its own and moved down the field on their first drive like a hurricane blowing through South Florida.
No inefficiencies, constant movement and powerful, elusive running from the wide receivers after they caught the ball. Then, the Kentucky offense acted like that same hurricane rolling across the Florida peninsula, once it moved through it was gone.
Just like the weather at Kroger Field, that’s what the Wildcat offense seemed to do, dry up. Gone was the solid protection from the offensive line, gone were the outside zone runs by the running backs and gone was the smooth delivery of the ball from Will Levis’ arm to the waiting hands of a group of talented receivers. It just seemed to dry up. Like someone turned the faucet off.
Maybe that initial drive was too easy. Maybe Miami, with veteran coaches and a veteran team, made some sideline adjustments that help slow down the Cats. Whatever it was, it worked.
The score was 13-10 UK when both sides trotted off the field for halftime. Kind of like a lull in the storm. It seemed like the hurricane had passed quickly but in fact it was more like the eye of the storm was passing over Kroger Field and the worst was yet to come — for Miami anyway. They just didn’t know it yet.
The very first play of the third quarter was a special teams gem and a backbreaker; one for the ages. Kentucky freshman receiver and kickoff returner extraordinaire Barion Brown received the kickoff a couple of yards deep in the end zone and immediately took off across the field to find a seam up the left sideline. Once he turned the corner it was pure speed all the way to the end zone. The Miami defenders looked like a Ford Pinto trying to catch a Maserati.
It only got worse for Miami after that. The UK defense created a turnover on the very next series which quickly led to seven more points on the scoreboard by Will Levis and company. After that it was all UK as the RedHawks could only manage to put three more points on the scoreboard.
That win was a great way to start the 2022 season and like all Mark Stoops teams on opening day at Kentucky the team started off slow but finished fast.
But how will winning that game translate into how Kentucky plays at the Swamp against Florida tonight? Will the first half Cats show up or will it be the second half Cats?
If history has anything to say about it then the second half Wildcats should show up and play good enough to win. Since 2017 UK is 3-0 playing in the second game of the season if they win the opener, and I know, I can hear everyone saying “yeah but against weak competition.” But that isn’t necessarily true. In 2018 UK beat Florida 27-16 and in 2020 it beat Missouri 35-27 in the second game of the season after winning the season opener. Both of those UK teams went on to win 10 games.
If this Kentucky team wants to be counted as an elite group that wins 10 or more games in a season it absolutely has to win this weekend in the Swamp, and I think they will. I’m guessing it will be a lower scoring affair than either Kentucky’s win over Miami (OH) or Florida’s win over No. 7 Utah. I don’t believe either team will score more than 24 points and I think the Cats pull it out 20-17 on a Matt Ruffolo field goal.
Here’s hoping if a hurricane does show up again in Florida tonight it’s wearing blue and white as it pounds its way through Gainesville.
