Sep 13, 2014; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators running back Matt Jones (24) runs with the ball as Kentucky Wildcats cornerback Fred Tiller (3) tackles during the second quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Make it 28 years and counting.
The Florida Gators edged the Kentucky Wildcats 36-30 in triple overtime Saturday night at The Swamp to make it 28 straight wins against their SEC rivals.
Running back Matt Jones scored the winning touchdown in the 3OT on a one-yard run after Kentucky kicker Austin MacGinnis missed a 41-yard field goal on their previous drive.
Each side scored a touchdown on their first overtime drive: Patrick Towles hit Stanley Williams for a 25-yard score before Florida answered as Jeff Driskel connected with Demarcus Robinson for a 9-yard touchdown. MacGinnis and Francisco Velez then each hit field goals in the 2OT before Jones had the winning touchdown.
Robinson tied a school record with 15 catches and had 216 receiving yards and two touchdown receptions, the other coming in a wild third quarter.
After heading into half time tied at 3-3, the game shot to life in the third quarter as Florida outscored Kentucky 17-14 as Towles and Driskel both threw two touchdowns each while Velez added a field goal for the Gators.
Kentucky tied the game with 3:52 left in the fourth when MacGinnis hit a 51-yard field goal to send the game to overtime tied at 20-20.
Florida however had a chance to win the game in regulation but Austin Hardin’s effort from 54-yards, which had been setup by a Keanu Neal interception, missed.
Driskel would finish the game 25-of-43 for 295 yards with three touchdowns and an interception, while Towles went 24-of-45 for 369 yards with three touchdowns but also three picks, two of which were intercepted by Neal. Brian Poole had the other that was returned 30-yards, setting up Velez’s field goal in the third quarter.
Jones put up 156 yards on the ground on 29 carries with his lone touchdown being the game winner.
While Robinson had a huge night for Florida, the same could be said for Kentucky wideout Garrett Johnson who hauled in six passes for 154 yards and two scores.
The two teams combined for 51 first downs and 982 yards of offense.
Florida faces a huge test in their next game on Sept.20 when they travel to face SEC foe Alabama.