Gators fall 26-16 to Kentucky on rough night for QB Anthony Richardson

GAINESVILLE — Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson and the Gators fell back to earth, losing to Kentucky for the third time in five meetings.

The Gators had risen to No. 12 in the Associated Press Top 25 and Richardson into the Heisman conversation after a 29-26 upset win a week earlier against No. 7 Utah. But the Wildcats’ 26-16 win on Saturday night exposed Richardson’s inexperience and shaky decision-making.

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With No. 20 Kentucky in town, a sold-out Swamp with a reported 89,993 fans greeted first-year coach Billy Napier’s squad — as did elevated expectations with a Top 10 ranking in sight on a day of upsets.

With 22 NFL scouts from 15 teams on hand, Richardson was jittery from the jump, completing 1 of 4 passes on the opening series and failing to record consecutive completions during the first half. Meanwhile, quarterback Will Levis, a fellow first-round prospect, showed superior poise during his second season as Wildcats’ starter.

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Kentucky wide receiver Dane Key, white, catches a 55-yard touchdown pass with Florida cornerback Jalen Kimber in coverage during the Gators’ 26-16 loss. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP)

Richardson finished 14 of 35 for 143 yards and 2 interceptions while rushing for just 4 yards. A week earlier he totaled 274 yards and ran for 3 touchdowns.

The 2 interceptions led to 14 Kentucky points, including a 65-yard pick-six by cornerback Keidron Smith for the go-ahead score with 3:25 to go in the third quarter and the Gators driving.

With the offense struggling, Florida’s defense wore down as Kentucky’s run game and Levis controlled the clock. The Wildcats held the ball more than nearly 18 minutes of the second half.

UF

Gervon Dexter: The junior defensive tackle made his second career interception, off a pass deflection by Brenton Cox Jr. to set up a Gators’ score for a 16-7 led. Dexter also recorded six tackles, a half-sack and a pass breakup.

Trevor Etienne: The first-year freshman tailback continued to impress and demand more touches. He finished with 46 rushing yards and an 11-yard touchdown on 9 carries, while adding a 2-point conversion reception.

Florida running back Trevor Etienne celebrates as he crosses the goal line for an 11-yard touchdown run during the Gators’ 23-16 loss to Kentucky. (John Raoux/AP)

Kentucky

Levis: The Wildcats quarterback completed his first 6 passes and used his tight ends well to set the tone. He finished a respectable 13 of 24 for 202 yards a touchdown and an interception.

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Jordan Wright: The sixth-year player returned from suspension with a vengeance. The Fort Lauderdale product intercepted a screen pass to set up a touchdown and finished with 6 tackles, 2 for loss, including a sack.

Dane Key: The first-year freshman receiver from Lexington made Kentucky’s offensive play of the game. Key used his 6-foot-3, 194-pound frame and catch radius to haul in a 55-yard score with Georgia transfer cornerback Jalen Kimber draped on his back and the football rolling down his left thigh.

Noteworthy

-Florida was 4 of 16 on third/fourth down a week after were 9 of 14. The Gators managed just 11 first downs.

-The Gators are 2 for 2 on 2-point conversions in 2022.

-Starting right tackle Michael Tarquin left the game with 14:01 remaining in second quarter with a left ankle/foot injury. Linebacker

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This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Edgar Thompson at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com or follow him on Twitter at @osgators.