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GAINESVILLE, Florida – Florida, number 9, insists that the loss to Kentucky last year, which put an end to a series of 31 wins in the series, will not be a motivator for them. teams played Saturday in Lexington.
At least that is what some of them say.
But the Gators (2-0) will surely use that backhand of 27 to 16 – in which they were dominated on both melee lines – as a stimulating tool before and during the rematch.
"The past is the past," said running back Malik Davis. "This is not a revenge – we treat it as any other game."
Coach Dan Mullen and several players expressed a similar feeling. But some others have suggested that the shocking loss of last September was still a painful subject.
"There will definitely be more energy and motivation than the guys who were here last year," said Josh Hammond.
Defensive lineman Adam Shuler added, "Of course we have to solve this problem."
Florida has not lost to Lexington since 1986 and has not lost consecutive games in Kentucky (2-0) since 1976-1977.
But the most important series of the series – the Gators spent 11,620 days without losing to the Wildcats – ended at Florida Field a year ago.
Kentucky scored 303 yards in Gainesville, although the two best riders on the team are not on the field on Saturday. Benny Snell is now playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers and quarterback Terry Wilson is missing for a year after he has torn the patellar tendon to his left knee last weekend.
Nevertheless, Florida hopes to avoid a repeat of the performance.
Kentucky had a clear advantage in the trenches, averaging 7.4 yards per run and finishing with two sacks and several quarterback pressures. Quarterback Feleipe Franks was Florida's top forward and the Gators only managed two passes over 20 yards.
"If you play at another team level, that's what's going to happen," said linebacker Ventrell Miller.
The 31-game series was the fourth-longest of the NCAA in an unbroken series, behind Notre Dame over Navy (43 games, 1964 to 2006), Nebraska on Kansas (36, 1969 to 2004) and Oklahoma on Kansas State (32 , 1937). to 1968).
Kentucky coach Mark Stoops acknowledged after the game that the losing streak created an "undue burden" his players had inherited and did not deserve.
Gators can always remember the loss.
"It was a terrible feeling," Shuler said. "We did not expect it, but it happened."
Florida also thinks that the backhand at home has been a watershed in the team's 10-win season. He showed the players the type of improvements needed in the weight room, in the meeting rooms and in the practice area.
"It was a revelation," said Franks. "We should never take a team lightly, no matter what people say about them or anything … After the defeat of last year and the beginning of this season, we have clearly stated that there was a standard to which you play, and at this level, do not go there and expect to win. "
Florida has won 11 of 13 games since, including seven straight.
The extension of the series could mean the start of a new match against Kentucky.
"We do not have to hit them constantly, they know," said offensive line coach John Hevesy. "They know exactly what happened last year."
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