UK Football

Can the Cats defy the numbers?

By Chip Cosby - ccosby@herald-leader.com

September 25, 2010 12:00 AM

Kentucky quarterback Jared Lorenzen sat on the bench after UK's 24-21 loss to Florida at Commonwealth Stadium on Sept. 27, 2003. UK had a 21-3 lead over the Gators entering the fourth quarter, but was unable to snap what is now a 27-game losing streak to Florida.
Kentucky quarterback Jared Lorenzen sat on the bench after UK's 24-21 loss to Florida at Commonwealth Stadium on Sept. 27, 2003. UK had a 21-3 lead over the Gators entering the fourth quarter, but was unable to snap what is now a 27-game losing streak to Florida. LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER
Kentucky quarterback Jared Lorenzen sat on the bench after UK's 24-21 loss to Florida at Commonwealth Stadium on Sept. 27, 2003. UK had a 21-3 lead over the Gators entering the fourth quarter, but was unable to snap what is now a 27-game losing streak to Florida. LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER

It's been a long time, almost 24 years to be exact, since the University of Kentucky has beaten Florida.

Back in 1986, the Cats, led by quarterback Bill Ransdell, defeated the Gators 10-3 at Commonwealth Stadium.

Only four times since then have the Cats even managed to come close to the Gators: 1993, when Florida quarterbacks Terry Dean and Danny Wuerffel combined for seven interceptions only to see the Gators escape 24-20 on a Chris Doering reception on the game's final play; 2002, when Derek Abney ran back both a punt and kickoff for a TD in a 41-34 loss; 2003, Rich Brooks' first year, when UK blew a 21-3 fourth-quarter lead and fell 24-21; and 2007, when a Wildcats team fresh off a victory over No. 1 LSU dropped a 45-37 decision.

Kentucky beat Florida four times from 1970-79, so just what happened to turn the rivalry so one-sided? Here's a look at some of the possible factors that have contributed to the recent disparity:

FLORIDA KENTUCKY

State population: 18,537,969 4,314,113

In-state prep players ranked in Rivals100 for 2010: 17 0

Heisman Trophy winners: 3 0

First-team All-Americans: 65 22

Five-star recruits on 2010 roster: 11 0

NFL first-round draft Picks 42 15

Former players currently on NFL rosters 42 10

National championships 3 0

SEC Titles 8 2

SEC Eastern Division crowns 11 0

ESPN College Gameday appearances 32 1

Current consecutive sellouts 132 0

Scores during Florida's 23-game winning streak over UK

1987: Florida, 27, Kentucky 14

1988: Florida, 24, Kentucky 19

1989: Florida, 38, Kentucky 28

1990: Florida 47, Kentucky 15

1991: Florida 35, Kentucky 26

1992: Florida 35, Kentucky 19

1993: Florida 24, Kentucky 20

1994: Florida 73, Kentucky 7

1995: Florida 42, Kentucky 7

1996: Florida 65, Kentucky 0

1997: Florida 55, Kentucky 28

1998: Florida 51, Kentucky 35

1999: Florida 38, Kentucky 10

2000: Florida 59, Kentucky 31

2001: Florida 44, Kentucky 10

2002: Florida 41, Kentucky 34

2003: Florida 24, Kentucky 21

2004: Florida 20, Kentucky 3

2005: Florida 49, Kentucky 28

2006: Florida 26, Kentucky 7

2007: Florida 45, Kentucky 37

2008: Florida 63, Kentucky 5

2009: Florida 41, Kentucky 7

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