LEXINGTON, Ky. - Kentucky will have to find another year to end its 20-game losing streak against Florida, but the Wildcats get a shot today to end a streak against the coach who was responsible for 12 of those losses.
No bad blood between South Carolina and Kentucky? Tell that to the Wildcats, who have endured 13 consecutive losses at the hands of Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier - even though all but the last one came when Spurrier was in Gainesville, Fla.
Kentucky coach Rich Brooks says his pregame pep talk won't be about beating a coach but beating a team - one that stands in the way of a 4-0 home start for the Wildcats.
He talked up the Florida losing streak as a motivator before his team's loss to the Gators two weeks ago, but Brooks downplays the Spurrier stigma.
"A lot of these players were still in grade school when he was coaching Florida, so they may or may not even remember," Brooks said.
The players might not remember, but they insist they understand.
"He is a great coach that everyone watches," defensive end Dominic Lewis said. "It is an honor to play against him. As a coach he never holds back, and he always goes for the big plays."
Kentucky's young defense has done several things well this season, including scooping up turnovers. It ranks second in the nation in fumble recoveries. But surrendering big plays - particularly on third-and-long - has been a weakness.
If past Spurrier coaching conquests are any indication, he'll find a defensive hole and attack it. Brooks' quest: make sure he doesn't find a defensive hole.
Kentucky and South Carolina are both 3-2 with visions of lifting their programs to a bowl game and respectability in the Southeastern Conference.
"They're beating the teams they're supposed to, sort of like us," Spurrier said. "Something's going to give Saturday night."
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