5-TD performance from Florida's Jadan Baugh leads to double-digit victory over Kentucky

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA — On Saturday evening, the Gators improved to 4-3 and 2-2 in SEC play following a 48-20 victory against the Kentucky Wildcats. Florida entered the game as the betting underdog but not by much and ended up surpassing those odds by a large margin.

The MVP of the contest? Look no further than freshman running back Jadan Baugh, who had a breakout performance with five rushing touchdowns along with 106 yards rushing. Those were first five scores of his college career as well. He is the first Gators true freshman to rush for at least three touchdowns in a game since 2010 when Trey Burton ran for five against Kentucky.

As for Mark Stoops and the Wildcats, they are now 3-4 overall and 1-4 in the SEC.

Kentucky ended the first quarter down just 3-0, but it was in the second quarter when Florida started to generate momentum. That started with a DJ Lagway strike to Elijah Badger for 50 yards, leading to a 7-yard touchdown from Baugh that pushed the lead to 13-7.

The Gators’ largest lead of the first half was 27-6. That came after interceptions from Devin Moore and Trikweze Bridges and two additional scores from the aforementioned Baugh.

In the second half, the Gators picked up where they left off and leaned on Baugh some more. Former No. 1-ranked cornerback Cormani McClain made his presence felt late in the game too, returning an interception for a touchdown that pushed Florida’s lead to 28 points.

Lagway, who made his second-career start and first in the SEC, completed 7-of-14 passes for 259 yards and an interception. He chipped in 46 yards rushing as well.

FOURTH QUARTER

– On the Wildcats’ first play of the drive, Cutter Boley was intercepted by cornerback Cormani McClain and then returned for a 29-yard touchdown. The extra point from Trey Smack was good. SCORE: FLORIDA 48, KENTUCKY 20, 3:23

– An impressive 40-yard catch from Elijah Badger led to the fifth touchdown of the game from running back Jadan Baugh. Yes, his fifth. That is not a typo. The freshman has manufactured a performance to remember regardless of graduating class. The drive covered 59 yards off 5 plays. SCORE: FLORIDA 41, KENTUCKY 20, 3:31

– Back-to-back incompletions from Brock Vandagriff ended with another turnover on downs for the Wildcats. It was a 7-play drive that resulted in just 24 yards. Florida’s pass rush was clicking on all cyclinders and led to a fourth-down pass breakup from Aaron Gates. SCORE: FLORIDA 34, KENTUCKY 20, 5:50

– Kentucky was stopped on 4th down following a swing pass from Brock Vandagriff to Anthony Brown-Stephens. Defensive back Trikweze Bridges was there to stop the Wildcats for a 1-yard gain. The Gators will take over on their 22-yard line. SCORE: FLORIDA 34, KENTUCKY 20, 10:37

THIRD QUARTER

– Freshman running back Jadan Baugh just scored his fourth rushing touchdown of the game — and of his career. What a game. This one comes from 1 yard out. He now has 87 rushing yards on 18 carries against the No. 3 defense in the country. The drive covered 77 yards. SCORE: Florida 34, Kentucky 20, 3:27

-The Wildcats opened the third quarter with a quality drive that ended with a 1-yard Gavin Wimsatt touchdown run. The drive covered 75 yards over 12 plays and took 6:26 off the clock. SCORE: Florida 27, Kentucky 20, 8:34

SECOND QUARTER

–Barion Brown has kept Kentucky in the game with a 99-yard kickoff return for six. SCORE: Florida 27, Kentucky 13, 1:30

-After a Gators interception from defensive back Devin Moore, running back Jadan Baugh scored his third touchdown of the game, from 1-yard out. SCORE: Florida 27, Kentucky 6, 1:44

-Florida just went 98 yards in five plays and capped it with a 10-yard touchdown run from running back Jadan Baugh. Quarterback DJ Lagway had a 58-yard completion to receiver Elijhah Badger on the series. The Gators have 307 total yards. SCORE: Florida 20, Kentucky 6, 2:10

-Florida quarterback DJ Lagway was intercepted by Kentucky defensive back Kristian Story, who returned it 63 yards to the Florida 11. But the Gators held strong and stopped the Wildcats on fourth-and-1 from the Florida 2.

-A pass by Kentucky QB Brock Vandagriff was intercepted by Florida defensive back Trikweze Bridges and returned for no gain to the Gators 46.

-The Gators again have the lead after a quick 65-yard drive that took only three plays. Quarterback DJ Lagway hit receiver Elijhah Badger for a 50-yard gain and running back Jadan Baugh scored on a 7-yard run. SCORE: Florida 13, Kentucky 6, 8:15

-Both defenses just forced punts on consecutive series. Kentucky has punted and the Gators will take over at the 35.

-Kentucky answered Florida’s score fast with a flea-flicker of 45 yards from quarterback to Brock Vandagriff to Barion Brown. The PAT was missed. The drive took four plays and covered 84 yards. SCORE: Florida 6, Kentucky 6, 12:05

-The Gators put three more points on the board after a long drive ended with a Trey Smack 33-yard field goal. Nine-play, 65-yard drive. Quarterback DJ Lagway had a 22-yard run. SCORE: Florida 6, Kentucky 0, 14:13

FIRST QUARTER

-Another Wildcats drive just ended in a punt. Kentucky has 39 total yards after two offensive series.

-The Gators just punted after picking up one first down and 24 total yards. Kentucky has the ball at its own 25 after a 42-yard punt from Jeremy Crawshaw.

-Kentucky’s first drive stalls after a quick first down. The ‘Cats gained 20 yards on five plays. Following a punt, Florida will start at its own 9.

-Florida’s opening drive ended in a score. It covered 63 yards on 10 plays. The big play: A 40-yard pass from Lagway to receiver Eugene Wilson. Trey Smack booted a 29-yard field goal to put the Gators in front. SCORE: Florida 3, Kentucky 0, 10:27