Florida holds off Kentucky 36-30 in triple OT

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Matt Jones plunged across the goal line, and before he could even get to his knees, was mobbed by teammates.

Jones’ 1-yard run in triple overtime gave Florida a 36-30 victory over Kentucky on Saturday night, extending the Gators’ winning streak in the Southeastern Conference series to 28 games.

The Gators (2-0, 1-0 SEC) had hoped to move beyond last year’s 4-8 debacle. But having to eke out a win against the Wildcats (2-1, 0-1) surely will stir more debate about the direction of the program and coach Will Muschamp’s future in Gainesville.

“Our guys found a win to win the game,” said Muschamp, whose team plays at Alabama next week. “That’s a huge positive, fighting through adversity and all the positives in there. Certainly a lot to be corrected.”

Quarterback Jeff Driskel struggled much of the game. The offensive line was inconsistent at best. And Florida’s inexperience secondary was badly exposed.

“Right now I’m not thinking about the misses,” Driskel said. “I’m thinking about the plays that we did make.”

After Kentucky’s Austin MacGinnis missed a 41-yard field goal to start the third overtime, Jones had consecutive big runs that put Florida at the 1. He slammed it home from there, setting off a raucous celebration few people outside Lexington could have envisioned beforehand.

Jojo Kemp nearly had it right.

The Kentucky running back predicted a victory, saying “it’s going to be fun walking out with a victory and rubbing it in their faces.” His words quickly made their way to Gainesville and became bulletin-board material for the Gators.

Despite the extra motivation, the Gators looked out of sync all night.

The play of the game was Florida’s fourth-and-7 conversion in the first overtime. Driskel floated a ball to the back corner of the end zone and found Demarcus Robinson for a 9-yard score.

Robinson, who was suspended at times last year, finished with 15 receptions for 216 yards and two scores. He tied Carlos Alvarez’s school record for catches in a single game, set in 1969.

“He did a good job of getting open,” Driskel said. “He made the plays.”

No other Florida receiver caught more than two passes. Driskel completed 25 of 43 passes for 295 yards, with three touchdowns and an interception.

Jones finished with 29 carries for 156 yards and a score.

Florida was an 18-point favorite in the game, no surprise given how lopsided the series has been. The Gators haven’t lost to Kentucky since 1986 and haven’t lost a game against the Wildcats at Florida Field since 1979.

The streak looked to be in jeopardy several times late in the SEC opener for both teams.

“It was a difficult loss, as you can imagine,” Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said. “They left it all on the field. There’s things we could all do better, we will do better. But again, we are not in the business of any kind of moral victory or anything like that.”

On Kentucky’s first play of overtime, Stanley Williams reversed field, outran several tackles and scored from 25 yards out. The Gators struggled to answer, but eventually did on the fourth-down play.

The teams exchanged field goals in the second overtime. Florida could have found the end zone, but Driskel was late delivering the ball to Robinson near the front pylon.

Frankie Velez hit from 20-yard out to send it to the third extra frame.

Velez missed from 39 yards out in the fourth quarter that would have given Florida a little more breathing room in a three-point game. That allowed Kentucky to tie it on MacGinnis’ 51-yarder.

Austin Hardin, Florida’s stronger-legged kicker, had a chance to win it regulation. But he pushed his 52-yarder wide right.

Florida trailed twice in the third quarter, falling behind 10-6 and then 17-13 on touchdown passes from Patrick Towles to Garrett Johnson.

Towles picked apart Florida’s secondary, throwing for 369 yards and three touchdowns. Johnson was his top target, finishing with six catches for 154 yards. He burned the Gators for a 60-yard touchdown, and then added a 33-yard score on the next drive.

“We’ve just got to tie some things up in the secondary,” Muschhamp said. “That’s my responsibility. We’ll improve on it.”

Florida looked to be in big trouble after those plays.

But Robinson bailed them out. He caught a ball that ricocheted off Fred Tiller’s hands and turned it into a 33-yard gain. Driskel found Tevin Westbrook for a 10-yard score on the next play.

Robinson was even better on the next drive, catching three passes for 42 yards, including a 9-yard score that put Florida ahead. It looked like it would be for good, but Towles put the Wildcats in position for the game-tying field goal.

Robinson’s best, though, was his last catch — on fourth down in the first overtime.

“It’s exciting,” Driskel said. “Those are the plays you live for.”