Aaron Philo, Florida upset No. 11 Kentucky to dash Wildcats' CFP hopes

· Yahoo Sports

The College Football Playoff continues to get shaken up, as Florida defeated No. 11 Kentucky 21-14 behind a strong second half.

The Gators’ win came off a massive night from quarterback Aaron Philo, who finished with 221 total yards including more than 100 yards on the ground. But for the Wildcats, the surprise home loss all but dashes their chances at the CFP.

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Florida’s only first-half points came in unusual fashion: The team earned a safety after an offensive holding penalty against Kentucky was called in the end zone. That cut the Wildcats’ lead to 7-2 at halftime.

Then, just two plays into the second half, Florida’s Jayden Woods sacked Kentucky quarterback Kenny Minchey, forcing a fumble that the Gators recovered. The play gave Florida excellent field position to take the lead — which they did, concluding the drive with a one-yard touchdown rush from Jadan Baugh. Philo then secured the two-point conversion to give the Gators 10-7 lead.

The Wildcats recovered with a touchdown on the next drive, before forcing Florida to settle for a field goal. But after a Kentucky three-and-out, the Gators followed up with an epic 14-play, 67-yard drive that ended in another touchdown — and another two-point conversion — to go up 21-14 in the fourth quarter.

Defensive pressure led each team to turn over on downs on back-to-back drives, with the Gators falling short after a pivotal fourth-down spot: After Florida went for it on fourth-and-two, Baugh got within inches of a first down that would’ve sealed the game.

But on the next drive, the Gators defense clamped down on the Wildcats, forcing four straight incomplete passes from Minchey to get the ball back and seal the seven-point win.

Philo finished the game with 119 passing yards, but his more impressive contribution came on the ground: The quarterback finished with 102 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown off 15 attempts, leading the team in rushing. Philo’s big night came just two weeks after he was benched and replaced by Tramell Jones Jr. for throwing two tough interceptions.

This story will be updated.

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