Florida vs. Kentucky: Postgame Grades for Gators

Nothing about it appeared to be pretty, but the Florida Gators' streak over Kentucky is still very much alive following their 14-9 win over the SEC East-rival Wildcats.

Kentucky had Commonwealth Stadium rocking in the hopes of ending a now 29-year Florida win streak in the series, but the Gators put them in an early hole off Vernon Hargreaves III's opening-series interception. Florida struggled to put the game away, but the defense eventually got the job done.

Take a look below for Florida Gators game grades from Saturday.

Florida Game Grades vs. Kentucky

Unit	First-Half Grade	Final Grade
Pass Offense	C+	C+
Run Offense	C+	C+
Pass Defense	A-	B+
Run Defense	B	B-
Special Teams	B-	B-
Coaching	C	C+

Pass Offense: Will Grier showed flashes of the quarterback Jim McElwain sees in the freshman, completing a couple of strong throws down the field in UF’s touchdown drives. His only touchdown was on the ground, however, and he threw a costly end-zone interception that allowed Kentucky back into the game. Robbie Andreu of Gatorsports.com expressed optimism regarding Grier's potential to be the "full-time starter":

Run Offense: When your quarterback—not even the most mobile one—is your leading rusher against one of the conference’s worst run defenses, you have problems. Grier rushed for over 60 yards on the day, but Kelvin Taylor managed just 45, and starting rusher Jordan Cronkrite had two yards per carry.

Pass Defense: UK’s best receivers were no match for Hargreaves, who turned the tides with an opening-series interception that set up Florida’s first score. Patrick Towles finished a lowly 8-of-23, with 126 yards and two picks, the last of which sealed the game for Florida. Kevin Brockway of Gatorsports.com noted this was the second consecutive week that the Florida defense closed out a win:

Run Defense: The Wildcats’ rushing proficiency kept them in the game. Their 127 yards on the ground mirrored Florida’s output, and they did so on only five more carries, including 80 yards from Stanley Williams. Florida’s defensive front is disruptive but susceptible.

Special Teams: Antonio Callaway's big punt return jolted some life into Florida, but that’s about all the advantage the Gators got from the special teams unit. Flipping field position turned out to be pivotal in this defensive battle.

Coaching: Jim McElwain the Florida coaches' head-scratching decisions were on full display, highlighted by a plethora of ill-timed penalties. The decision to stick with Grier, despite an injury and struggles didn’t backfire, but it could have if Kentucky scored a late touchdown.