5 Takeaways from Florida's win over Kentucky

The Florida Gators remain perfect after knocking off Kentucky Saturday night.

It may have looked ugly at times, but Florida is 3-0 after the first three weeks of the 2015 season.

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Though we’re starting to see this team come together under first year coach Jim McElwain, the Gators still have a ton of growing to do before they can push for the next tier of the SEC East and contend for divisional supremacy. Florida’s latest performance was anything but perfect in a 14-9 road win over Kentucky at Commonwealth Stadium.

But the Gators did indeed win. Here’s what we learned from the Gators’ win over the Wildcats.

Will Grier is likely the starter going forward

The battle for the starting quarterback job is still in question, but Will Grier remains the presumed favorite over Treon Harris after Week 3.

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Grier directed each of Florida’s 11 offensive drives against the Wildcats; Harris did not handle a single snap. But was Grier as efficient as McElwain would have liked? Or did the redshirt freshman leave too many questions unanswered on the Bluegrass?

Grier was often shaky against Kentucky, finishing just 13-of-22 for 125 yards and an interception. On the plus side, he showcased his mobility by rushing for 61 yards and a touchdown.

It’s important to note that Grier was pressured and forced to scramble for much of the night, which is one of the reasons why he totaled so many rushing yards.

With Tennessee looming this weekend, McElwain will want to make a concrete decision at quarterback and stick with one guy. After Saturday’s performance, Grier may have done just enough to be that guy.

The defense is for real

Up to this point, the Florida offense — or lack thereof — has received most of the national headlines.

But it’s the Gators’ defense that has asserted itself as one of the country’s best through the first three weeks.

For the first time this season, the Gators’ secondary had all of its starters on Saturday — and you could tell. Kentucky’s offense was held to a meager 241 total yards after averaging 417 yards in its first two outings. In addition, UF finished with six sacks (Alex McCalister and Jonathan Bullard accounting for four sacks) and two interceptions. All-American cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III had the interception, Quincy Wilson had the second — and game-winning — pick.

After shredding the Florida defense for 369 yards and three scores through the air in last year’s meeting in the Swamp, Kentucky quarterback Patrick Towles threw for just 126 yards and zero touchdowns this time in Lexington.

This defense has, and will continue to, win games for the Gators. The question is can the offense reciprocate that success?

Florida had enough to knock off Kentucky and extend the winning streak to 29. For now, that’s all that matters.

Special teams are still an issue

The special teams woes continued for Florida on Saturday against Kentucky.

After missing two field goals against East Carolina (which ultimately could have secured the win over the Pirates sooner), kicker Austin Hardin had his only kick of the night blocked. For the season, Hardin has only hit 50 percent of his field goal tries (3-of-6); he’ll need to be more consistent if the Gators are to be competitive in the East.

Meanwhile, the kickoff return game is still pedestrian after Week 3. Brandon Powell — who came in averaging 25.5 yards per return — only averaged 17 yards per return against the Wildcats.

And then there’s the punt team.

Punter Johnny Townsend hasn’t necessarily been bad this season, but he hasn’t been overwhelmingly impressive either (averaged 40.2 yards per punt against Kentucky).

The special teams unit has been mediocre at best as of late.

When you have a coach who emphasizes the importance of this particular unit, you can’t imagine he’d be too pleased thus far.

Youth contributions keep mounting

Florida’s young guns keep impressing. They looked good against early-season cupcakes New Mexico State and East Carolina, but looked even better against a credible opponent in Kentucky.

Freshman Antonio Callaway had a punt return of 37 yards and hauled in a beautiful one-handed reception for 34 yards. Freshmen offensive linemen Fred Johnson and Martez Ivey served as Florida’s tackles and have at least held their own up to this point.

On the other side, freshman defensive lineman Cece Jefferson was a brute — finishing with five tackles and a sack.

We knew this was a young Gators team coming into the 2015 season, but we didn’t expect such hefty contributions from all of the young talent.

Tennessee-Florida should be an exciting measuring stick game

This match-up received arguably the most hype in preseason — and it shouldn’t disappoint.

The Vols come into the Swamp this Saturday with a 2-1 record after their double overtime loss to Oklahoma in Week 2, while the Gators boast a perfect 3-0 record entering their most critical clash yet. Additionally, Florida has a chance to start 4-0 for the first time since 2012 (and even that year was a fluke).

As if that wasn’t enough drama, a streak is tied-in with this match-up, too: Florida has notched 10 straight wins over Tennessee. The last time the Volunteers knocked off the Gators, George W. Bush was just beginning his second term in the Oval Office.

If that streak holds on Saturday, Florida has a legitimate shot at competing for the division.

Next: Best and Worst SEC Football Performances: Week 3

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5 Takeaways from Florida’s win over Kentucky

By Andrew Schutte | Sep 23, 2015

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