GAINESVILLE — What used to be a breather on the schedule has become an annual nail-biter for the Florida Gators.
Mark Stoops’ program has shed the status of SEC pushover during his seven seasons in Lexington, evolving into an obstacle for Mullen’s program.
Florida’s 29-21 fourth-quarter escape last season at Kentucky’s Kroger Field served as catalyst for quarterback Kyle Trask’s rise from little-known backup to Heisman frontrunner. In 2018, Mullen’s first UF squad suffered an ignominious introduction to SEC play during a 27-16 home loss to the Wildcats, who snapped a nation-leading losing streak in the series dating to 1986.