GAINESVILLE — Florida will host Kentucky looking to move past a heartbreaker at Tennessee and stabilize a series once dominated by the Gators but currently owned by the Wildcats.
Kentucky (3-3, 1-3 SEC) seeks its fourth straight win against UF for the only time since Bear Bryant from 1948-51. Like Billy Napier’s Gators (3-3, 1-2), Mark Stoops’ Wildcats need a momentum shift after losing 20-13 at home to surprising Vanderbilt (4-2).
Stoops’ squad will look familiar, featuring physical lines, tough defense and run-based attack. Back-to-back wins against Napier were decisive, by a combined score of 59-30.
“I felt embarrassed,” sophomore safety Jordan Castell said of last season’s 33-14 loss in Lexington. “We went out there and they beat us. They beat us bad.”
The latest matchup during UF’s homecoming will test the Gators’ mettle after an overtime loss at Tennessee.
True freshman quarterback DJ Lagway will make his first SEC start after veteran starter Graham Mertz suffered a season-ending torn ACL in his left knee against the Vols.
Napier’s plan for Lagway tops the list of questions Florida faces.
How does Napier tailor his attack for Lagway?
The 19-year-old’s dual-threat abilities provide options Mertz didn’t. Lagway’s inexperience also presents limitations and potential pitfalls.
During a 26-16 Kentucky win in 2022, Stoops’ scheme flummoxed Anthony Richardson after he’d moved into the Heisman conversation during a Week 1 upset against Utah.
But Lagway processes the game better at this stage of his career and is more accurate. Additional read-option elements would capitalize on his skill set and create mismatches with his legs Mertz could not.
Lagway showed he can also extend plays when he maintained composure, kept his eyes down field and found Chimere Dike for a game-tying 27-yard touchdown…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/billy-napier-tailor-attack-dj-160000038.html
Author : Orlando Sentinel
Publish date : 2024-10-15 16:00:00
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