Kentucky running back Jojo Kemp — who grew up fewer than two hours from Gainesville — said he will have a cheering section of more than 50 people in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium when the Wildcats visit the Gators on Saturday.
But after his comments on Tuesday, Kemp’s enemies will undoubtedly outnumber his allies.
"A couple of my (high school) teammates actually went to Florida, so I’m familiar with a lot of those guys," the DeLand, Fla., native said. "It’s going to be fun walking out with a victory and rubbing it in their faces."
Kemp, who is UK’s fourth-leading rusher after two games with 72 yards on 17 rushing attempts, was born a little more than seven years after Kentucky’s last victory against Florida in 1986.
But the sophomore tailback seemed more than confident the Wildcats could steal a win from the Gators in Gainesville for the first time since 1979.
"Just shocking, man," Kemps said when asked what he thought about UF’s 27-game winning streak against UK.
"I’d love to be part of a team that just changes it . . . When I always talk about being something special, this is one of the games where we can actually go out there and really change the game."
However, Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops expressed his displeasure with Kemp’s statements Wednesday during the Southeastern Conference weekly teleconference.
"I was furious," Stoops said.
"I was outraged and I talked to him about it. But the thing is, he was trying to make light of some friends that he has on (Florida’s) program.
"But like I told him yesterday, ‘You think they’re going to hear all that? They’re going to hear the last five seconds of what you said.’"
Linebacker Michael Taylor not only heard Kemp’s words, but he also responded with a few of his own on Twitter.
"Heard u were talkin shit but your Kentucky’s 3rd string back," Taylor tweeted Wednesday.
But when asked if Kemp’s comments would serve as fuel to the fire for the Gators’ matchup with the Wildcats, Taylor said he and the rest of his teammates have enough motivation to perform well after a 4-8 year.
"After the season we had last year and watching myself and how we played last year, there’s no extra motivation needed," the redshirt senior said.
"This whole summer, hearing all that stuff and seeing the results of last year, no extra motivation is needed. That was taken into training camp and spring practices and everything we did leading up to this point."
Sophomore cornerback Vernon Hargreaves agreed.
"At the end if we beat them, it’s a little something to rub in his face," Hargreaves said.
"We’re not looking too much into it."
Follow Jonathan Czupryn on Twitter @Jczupryn
Kentucky running back Jojo Kemp (3) scores against Tennessee-Martin on a run as quarterback Patrick Towles (14) celebrates during Kentucky's 59-14 win against UT-Martin on Aug. 30 in Lexington, Kentucky.
