A Wildcat ran wild up and down Florida Field on Saturday night.
Fortunately for Florida, he was wearing Orange and Blue.
UF freshman Trey Burton replaced quarterback John Brantley to take five direct snaps against Kentucky, and all five times he found himself in the end zone.
The Wildcats had no answer for the Wildcat.
Burton ran for touchdowns of 11, 10, nine, three and seven yards, respectively, and also caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from John Brantley, the first receiving touchdown of his career to lead No. 8 Florida (4-0, 2-0 Southeastern Conference) past Kentucky 48-14.
His six-touchdown performance broke Tim Tebow’s record for the most touchdowns in one game by a UF player. Tebow scored five times against South Carolina in 2007.
"It felt like a dream the whole night," Burton said.
His record-breaking performance helped spark a rare first quarter surge for the Gators.
Despite entering the game without a point in the first quarter this year, UF’s offense looked impressive early on. Quarterback John Brantley completed four of his first five passes for 48 yards.
Redshirt freshman wide receiver Andre Debose caught three of those passes – the first three receptions of his college career. The speedster was involved early on as he racked up all four of his receptions for 36 yards in the first quarter, but did not record a catch after that.
“(Getting him involved early) was on purpose,” said coach Urban Meyer, who, with the victory, became the sixth-fastest coach to reach 100 wins. “He earned that. All you got to do is practice well and Debose will be non-existent next week if doesn’t practice well.”
Still, the Gators showed their depth at the receiver position. Four wide receivers finished the game with more than 35 yards through the air with Deonte Thompson (five catches, 86 yards) leading the way.
Their success paved the way for Brantley’s first 200-yard passing performance. The junior threw for a career-high 248 yards and a touchdown, with his first interception of the season mixed in there.
The only Florida touchdown not scored by Burton was caused by the defense.
Cornerback Jeremy Brown picked off his third pass of year in the second quarter and returned it to the house as he high stepped his way into the end zone.
“I really just read it,” Brown said. “It was a play that I have seen in the film room. It seemed like it happened before it did happen.”
His interception was one of two for the Gators as middle linebacker Jon Bostic recorded his third of the season in the second quarter, too.
Kentucky had not committed a turnover before Saturday’s contest, but the two interceptions broke the seal and also pushed the Gators’ forced turnovers number up to 12 on the season.
With a showdown against No. 1 Alabama looming, Florida will put this game in the past quickly.
“It’s ‘Bama week,” Meyer said.
