Mark Stoops praises late touchdown, defense in first half vs. Murray State

Kentucky led in-state for Murray State 24-0 at the end of the first half after Brock Vandagriff connected with Ja’Mori Maclin for a 19-yard touchdown pass with 10 seconds left before halftime.

The Wildcats largely shut down the Racers offensively, and their defensive unit hasn’t had an answer for UK on the ground or through the air. Kentucky has 315 yards of total offense compared to Murray State’s 132.

Despite the lopsided score, Maclin’s late touchdown reception in the first half was well-received by his head coach, Mark Stoops.

“We needed that,” Stoops said at halftime. “We were a little bit stagnant there in his second quarter, so it was really good to get a two minute drive. … I feel like we’re doing some good things on defense, but also oozing a little bit. We’ve got to be a little more firm, more sure in our tackles and get them in more particular pass situations.”

Murray State featured two quarterbacks in the first half, Jim Ogle and Jayden Johannsen, and they combined for 6 of 10 passing with two interceptions. Both picks were caught by Kentucky native, Jordan Lovett — his first two of the season.

In the running game, defensive coordinator Brad White’s unit held Murray State to 59 rushing yards in the first half. Their leading rusher Jawaun Northington had five rushes for 21 yards.

For the Wildcats, however, Vandagriff was able to share the ball across his receiving corps despite not having arguably his most lethal target in Barion Brown out for the week. He finished the first half 12 of 19 for 183 yards to go with two touchdowns and an interception while completing passes to six difference receivers.

Freshman Hardley Gilmore IV led all receivers through two quarters with two receptions for 72 yards and a touchdown — the first in his young career.

Kentucky will look to carry this performance into the second half as Stoops’ squad looks to do the improbable and earn bowl eligibility by the end of the season.