Florida Football: 3 takeaways from nail-biting win over Kentucky

GAINESVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 17: Head coach Jim McElwain leads the Florida Gators onto the field before the game against the North Texas Mean Green at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 17: Head coach Jim McElwain leads the Florida Gators onto the field before the game against the North Texas Mean Green at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
1 of 3

In what ended up being a nail-biter, Florida football barely pulled off the win over Kentucky in Lexington.

It came down to the wire but Florida stole a win against Kentucky 28-27. The Wildcats put up a great game but in the end, the Gators were too much. It was, however, an incredible effort by Kentucky.

At the end of the day, sadly, a good effort doesn’t always equal a win. Jim McElwain’s Gators struggled greatly throughout the game but they found a way to put a win together. Unfortunately, a missed final second field goal sealed the Wildcat’s fate.

There’s a lot fans from both teams can take away from tonight’s high emotion game. Here are three initial reactions from a game that ended in Big Blue nation’s tears.

3. Jim McElwain record clutch wins

Florida’s head coach Jim McElwain has received a lot of flack for how his Gators have been struggling. For Florida fans, it seems like this team just can’t seem to get any rhythm going but that hasn’t stopped the Gators from getting wins.

In their game against Tennessee, the Gators pulled off an insane hail mary for a last-second win. Tonight, it was the same story. The Gators may have been a bit underwhelming but McElwain, yet again, found a way to win.

Florida does have issues. We can’t ignore that and yes it does come back on the head coach but there is some hope here. McElwain is doing what other coaches could only dream of and that’s winning close games.

You may be pulling for the Gators and feel like you’re going to have a heart attack from suspense but you have to take some comfort in seeing these two wins. Florida may have to bite and claw for their wins but they have a ton of fight and can pull off these close games.