UF looks to keep Kentucky streak alive

<p>The last time Kentucky beat Florida in football, Elin Nordegren was 6-years old and had never heard of Tigers Woods. In 1986, the Wildcats surprised a Florida team that was fighting for an SEC title after improbable wins over Auburn and Georgia. The final was 10-3. Kentucky has come close since, but has lost 20 straight to the Gators. </p><p>A lot has happened since that day in Lexington ...</p><p><li>Harold Ray Ragsdale has released one gold single, two gold albums and a platinum album. </p><p><li>Ragsdale is better known by his stage name Ray Stevens, author and singer of the "The Streak." Looka dat, looka dat.</p><p><li>Robert DeNiro has appeared in 53 movies, but hasn't won an Oscar. Both of his Academy Awards came prior to the streak. </p><p><li>U2 has won 22 Grammys, tied for the most with Stevie Wonder, and had a song become the introduction for the Florida basketball team.</p><p><li>Of the 44 players on UF's two-deep roster, 33 of them have been born since the streak started.</p><p><li>Robert Downey Jr. has violated his parole three times, O.J. Simpson has been arrested twice and Lindsay Lohan has spent more time in rehab than on movie sets.</p><p><li>Mary Wise has won 538 games as a head volleyball coach.</p><p><li>The Cold War ended and the Berlin Wall came down.</p><p><li>Alabama has been through eight head football coaches.</p><p><li>Bobby Bowden has won 280 football games.</p><p><li>Stephen King has had 46 books published, although in 1986 he was the guy who had "It." That was the name of the best-selling book that year.</p><p><li>Kenny has died and come back to life 101 times on South Park if you include the video game and movie.</p><p><li>Approximately 100 million people (give or take a million or so) have attended football games involving SEC teams.</p><p><li>Tiger Woods has won 61 PGA tournament - not counting 20 unofficial tournaments - 13 majors and $76 million in prize money.</p><p><li>Emmitt Smith has rushed for 22,263 yards in college and pro football and also won Dancing with the Stars.</p><p><li>Eight different teams have played in the SEC championship game.</p><p><li>The populations of Lexington, Ky., and Gainesville, Fla., have increased by 181,000 people.</p><p><li>The price of a gallon of gas has gone up by approximately $1.93, depending on where you live.</p><p><B>Close calls</B></p><p><li>1988 - The winning streak was only one game old when Florida went to Lexington with four straight losses and a team rife with injuries. The Gators held on to win 24-19.</p><p><li>1993 - UF quarterbacks Terry Dean and Danny Wuerffel combined to throw seven interceptions but a last-second Wuerffel to Chris Doering touchdown pass gave Florida a 24-20 win.</p><p><li>2003 - In Chris Leak's first start, Florida trailed 21-3 late in the game before rallying behind Leak and a huge Jared Lorenzen-thrown interception for a 24-21 win.</p><p><B>Not so close</B></p><p><li>1990 - Despite being taunted by Kentucky fans because they were on probation, the Gators rolled through Kentucky with ease 47-15 to capture the best record in the SEC.</p><p><li>1994 - It was ugly early as Florida dominated Kentucky a year after barely escaping Lexington, winning 73-7. It was the second straight game where Spurrier's top-ranked team scored 70 points.</p><p><li>1996 - Tim Couch was running the option. That's all you need to know. Jauez Green returned back-to-back punts for touchdowns as Florida won 65-0.</p><p><i>Contact Pat Dooley at 352-374-5053 or dooleyp@gvillesun.com.</i></p>