Where is Kentucky football ranked in the top 25 after beating Florida?

Kentucky football’s domination of Florida was enough to propel the Wildcats into the top 25 for the first time this season.

UK made its debut in both the Associated Press Top 25 and the USA Today coaches poll at No. 20 on Sunday.

Mark Stoops’ team was last ranked in the coaches poll on Nov. 7, 2022. It was last ranked in the AP Top 25 on Oct. 24, 2022. By returning to the poll this week, Kentucky has now been ranked for at least one week in three consecutive seasons.

Kentucky is 5-0 for the 14th time in school history but just the fifth time in the last 72 years. UK also started the 2018 and 2021 seasons with five consecutive wins. Those are Kentucky’s only 10-win seasons since 1977.

Behind 280 rushing yards and four touchdowns from Ray Davis, Kentucky pounded its way to a 33-14 win over Florida on Saturday. The Gators were ranked 22nd in last week’s poll, giving Kentucky six wins in its last 10 games against ranked teams. Kentucky has beaten a ranked Florida team in three consecutive seasons.

While Florida dropped out of the poll after its loss to Kentucky, the Gators represented the stiffest test of the season for the Wildcats. Florida had already beaten No. 22 Tennessee and its only previous loss came to No. 18 Utah.

“I just feel like the statement for today was we can play against the best,” sophomore defensive tackle Deone Walker said after the game.

There are more difficult tests ahead, starting with a game at No. 1 Georgia on Saturday. Kentucky then returns to Kroger Field to host No. 21 Missouri on Oct. 14 and No. 22 Tennessee on Oct. 28. Kentucky hosts No. 11 Alabama in its final home game on Nov. 11. Louisville, Kentucky’s annual rivalry opponent in the regular season finale, also entered the poll for the first time this season Sunday at No. 25.

“I think we learned a lot and we have a lot further to go,” Stoops said after the Florida win. “And if we keep this attitude and work ethic, good things lie ahead of us.”

This story was originally published October 1, 2023 at 1:00 PM.

Jon Hale

Lexington Herald-Leader

(859) 414-6776

Jon Hale is the University of Kentucky football beat writer for the Lexington Herald-Leader. He joined the Herald-Leader in 2022 but has covered UK athletics for more than 10 years. Hale was named the 2021 Kentucky Sportswriter of the Year. Support my work with a digital subscription