Florida’s Defense Grounds Kentucky as Wildcats Manage Season-Low Rushing Total

Kentucky welcomed the Florida Gators to Kroger Field for its final night game of the 2026 season, and while the contest featured plenty of intriguing storylines, it ultimately ended with Florida walking away with a 21-14 victory. The game included transfers on both sides, but the biggest narrative surrounded the Gators’ sideline. Jon Sumrall, a former Kentucky player and coach, returned to his old home for the first time since leaving in 2022 to become the head coach at Troy. Also on that sideline was a coach who had served as Kentucky’s defensive coordinator under Mark Stoops during the final six years of his tenure in Lexington.

Both men had reason to want a win heading into the contest, and both left with reason to smile after Florida’s defense took control. The key to the victory was simple: the Gators stopped the run.

Kentucky entered the night averaging 163.7 rushing yards per game, but managed only 61 yards against Florida. From start to finish, the Gators’ defense refused to let the Wildcats establish any rhythm. Kentucky’s offense tried everything to generate production, rotating different players into the game and utilizing varied formations and motions, but none of it mattered. Florida came with a clear plan to shut down the ground game, and it executed that plan to perfection.

CJ Baxter, Jason Patterson, Jovantae Barnes, Mikkel Skinner, Brennen Ward and Kenny Minchey all received opportunities to carry the ball, yet none could break through. In truth, Minchey may have looked the best of the group, even though he finished with just one yard because of sack yardage.

“Didn’t establish the run tonight, at all,” Stein said of the struggling ground attack. “Got out-physicalled at the point of attack. That, to me, was the early indication: not being able to run the ball; you run it for 61 yards on 27 carries. And they rush it for 211 on 48; that’s a problem. We’ve gotta address it and get it fixed.”

Kentucky can no longer chase the dream season many had begun to believe in after falling out of the College Football Playoff picture, but there is still pride on the line, as Stein and several players emphasized. Rushing for more than 100 fewer yards than the opponent is a difficult formula for ending a season, and the Wildcats risk finishing with four straight losses if they do not improve. With a road game at Missouri next and a home matchup against Louisville to follow, Kentucky’s offense must find answers in the run game. The performance against Florida was unacceptable and stands as one of the most revealing statistics from the night, especially when considering how Florida managed to defeat Kentucky.

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