The Florida Gators dropped to 3-6 (2-4 SEC) on the 2025 season after an embarrassing 38-7 loss to Kentucky (4-6, 2-5 SEC) in week 11. Florida suffered their third consecutive road loss to Kentucky, last beating the Wildcats in Lexington in 2019.
Gator Country provides three early takeaways from the contest.
Did Florida mail it in?
Words can’t really describe how disturbing this game was. It was one of the worst losses in recent Florida program history; the 31-point loss marked the first vs. an unranked team since 1970. Florida got out coached, out hustled, and out played on both sides of the ball. It wasn’t the inspired brand of football that had No.5 Georgia on the ropes just last week.
The Gators were whopped on both lines of scrimmage. Florida’s offense managed just 247 yards and seven points, which were practically gifted to UF after Kentucky muffed a punt on their own 12-yard line. Although the lack of offensive production isn’t all that surprising given Florida entered the contest ranked 95th in total offense and 105th in scoring offense.
What was surprising: the lack of effort on the defensive side of the ball. The Gators’ defensive line was pushed backwards a majority of the night, allowing 233 rushing yards on 44 attempts in the contest. We hadn’t seen an offensive line work Florida’s defense line like that all season as they entered the contest ranked 35th in run defense.
Florida only recorded one QB hurry on Cutter Boley, who calmly sat in the pocket and dissected the Gators’ secondary, completing 18-23 passes for 168 yards and two touchdowns.
The Gators couldn’t do the little things right. We saw more drops, missed tackles, and missed assignments than we’ve seen all season. And that’s saying something considering Florida is sitting at 3-6 on the season. The game screamed that Florida was not focused.
If the Florida team that showed up tonight plays that way the rest of the season, they will not win another game.
Tramell Jones Jr. replaces DJ Lagway
After a disastrous first half from starting quarterback DJ Lagway, which included three interceptions, true freshman Tramell Jones Jr. took over and played the entire second half. It’s a move that’s been in the back of everyone’s mind as Lagway has been inconsistent at best all season.
Jones Jr. didn’t look much better, however. The rookie completed 9 of 17 passes for 60 yards. While he didn’t throw an interception, he got away with one or two passes thrown into double coverage.
Lagway finished 11 of 19 passing for 83 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions.
It’s anybody’s guess where Florida will go from here. One side of the argument: the season is a lost cause, developing your freshman quarterback with first team reps in practice and in game experience could be beneficial.
The other side: If Jones Jr. finishes out the season, he loses his redshirt year and only played in five games. There’s also a legitimate argument of whether Jones Jr. gives Florida the best chance to win, even with Lagway’s struggles.
Jadan Baugh = One Man Show
Sophomore running back Jadan Baugh only managed 64 rushing yards on 17 carries vs. Kentucky, but he earned all 64 of those yards. Florida’s offense line wasn’t creating very much running room but Baugh still found a way to contribute offensively, plowing through defenders and shedding tackles like we’re so used to seeing.
Baugh also led the team in receptions (5) while logging 27 receiving yards and the teams only touchdown of the game. Baugh is up to 685 rushing yards this season and needs to average 105 yards per game over the last three to eclipse 1,000 yards on the season.