LIVE: Notes and Observations From No. 6 Florida Gators vs Kentucky Wildcats Including Unavailable's

GAINESVILLE, FL– GatorBait Magazine is on site and live from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium as the No. 6 Florida Gators (6-1) prepare to take on the Kentucky Wildcats (3-5).

Trent Whittemore was on the sidelines but still in street clothes as the wide receiver continues to heal from a fractured rib and punctured lung suffered during the Arkansas win two weeks ago.

This is the smallest crowd at a home game I've seen yet. With the early kick, the holiday weekend and COVID-19 cases on the rise, it's not too surprising. Would venter to guess there are around 8,000 fans in the stands.

The Wildcats are dealing with double digit roster losses due to injuries and COVID-19 issues. Head Coach Mark Stoops had said earlier in the week it could be 18 players. Although ESPN reporter Quint Kessenich said on Saturday it would be 16-17. However that number includes four starters; two offensive lineman, a running back and a tight end.

Matt Jones of Kentucky Sports Radio tweeted the running back out is Chris Rodriguez. He was the Cats leading rusher on the year with 88 rushes for 562 yards and six touchdowns.

The Gators will return tight end Kyle Pitts. The nation's best tight end missed the Arkansas and Vanderbilt wins after being knocked out of the Georgia win with a concussion and broken nose. His return is huge as he leads the nation in touchdowns (8) for tight ends and is still third for his position in yards per game (82.8).

Florida's unavailable list for today:

4 David Reese

7 Jeremiah Moon

17 Kahleil Jackson

21 Ethan Pouncey

54 Lamar Goods

55 Hayden Knighton

66 Jaelin Humphries

80 Trent Whittemore

95 Lucas Alonso

Coincidentally, this would normally be the weekend Florida plays FSU. Instead the Seminoles have had their second game in as many weeks cancelled/postponed. Today's matchup against Virginia was postponed after a positive test and contact tracing along with injuries and opt-outs put the Noles roster number in the 40's.

First Quarter:

The Gators offense was perfectly fine without Kyle Pitts. It was competent enough to spread the ball around to 10 or more receivers and stay at the top of the nation’s list as the best passing offense in college football. But man what a difference the best tight end in the nation can make. On the Gators first offensive drive of the day, after three straight bumbling plays, UF faced a 4th and 2 from their own 25-yard line. Everything we know about Dan Mullen told us he'd fake that punt, but Gators still pulled it off with relative ease thanks to a Dameon Pierce run of 15 yards.

Two plays later, Trask hit Kyle Pitts on a post route that picked up 38 yards after the catch for a 56 yard touchdown.

The defense gave up 2-2 on fourth downs but also held the Wildcats to 0-4 on third downs, eventually forcing a punt on both drives. Thanks in large part to two huge sacks, one by Brenton Cox and one by Zach Carter.

Second Quarter:

A screen from Trask to Shorter ended up being a fumble after the hit. Kentucky took over at the UF 38-yard line.

Since the pass was complete, Trask remains at only three turnovers for the year.