First Down Kentucky: Bouncing Back

Kentucky’s defense is having a good season but Brad White‘s unit did not meet the standard in a 20-13 loss to Vanderbilt. The Wildcats allowed four scoring drive in seven non-kneel possessions, gave up 10 points in the Middle 8, did not create a three-and-out, and allowed Vanderbilt to march 97 yards on the first possession of the game.

The defense feels like the Week 7 performance was not good enough.

“We as a defense probably felt that was our worst performance of the year,” White told the media on Wednesday. “There were situations that we should’ve definitely handled better from coaches, players, the whole nine. Execution in critical moments needs to happen.”

Kentucky’s defensive coordinator mentions multiple missed opportunities on the first possession and a critical missed assignment in the two-minute drive as the biggest what ifs. Kentucky is now looking to bounce-back against Florida facing a quarterback heading into his first career SEC start.

DJ Lagway time at Florida

DJ Lagway was a ballyhooed recruiting win for Florida head coach Billy Napier. The Gator faithful has been clamoring for the five-star true freshman. After being used as a change-of-pace quarterback to begin the year, Lagway will now step into the full-time starting role after starter Graham Mertz was lost for the season due to an ACL injury last week.

Brad White does not believe Kentucky will be caught off guard. There is enough college tape of Lagway that UK feels like they know what they’re going to see on Saturday night in The Swamp.

“There’s been enough split snaps that you can see DJ’s played and he’s very comfortable playing in big environments,” White explained. “The system is very much similar no matter who the quarterback was in the game.”

White believes that the young quarterback has “elite level arm talent” and will challenge Kentucky in this SEC matchup.

Kentucky’s defense is showing resolve

For the second time this season following an unexpected SEC home loss, Kentucky is needing to get off the mat. We saw the Wildcats respond after the loss to South Carolina with an inspired performance against Georgia. Will we see something similar against Florida?

Brad White likes what he has seen from the defense throughout practice this week but there is a long way to go until kickoff.

“There’s been a good response but we need to continue that response,” White said. “Obviously, going into a hostile environment on the road, need to really lock arms and play well. It’s going to be a battle down there. The crowd’s always into it.”

Kentucky’s defensive coordinator pointed out that a good week of practice is not guaranteed to translate on game day. Sometimes you don’t know how things are going to go until you get into the venue and the lights come on. We will see if Kentucky is truly ready to go once the stadium lights at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium get turned on.

Impressive wide receiver unit

Eugene Wilson III carved out a big role as a true freshman in 2023 generating 593 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns. Wilson missed multiple games due to injury as a sophomore but has received 19 touches in three games. Billy Napier will look to get No. 3 touches, but this offense has continued to move the football and score points without their top wideout in the unit.

Brad White believes this is the best Florida wideout unit he’s faced in this series and it’s not just Wilson. Wisconsin transfer Chimere Dike and Arizona State transfer Elijhah Badger have been key cogs in the offense.

“Seventeen (Dike) and 6 (Badger) have been playing really good football. I don’t know if he (Dike) gets enough credit for how well he’s playing. Operating in so many different positions.”

Florida enters the game ranking No. 10 nationally in yards per dropback (9.09). The best thing this offense does is throw the football. Do not expect that to change with Lagway taking every snap.