Kentucky failed to finish multiple scoring chances in loss to Auburn

We’re trying not to beat a dead horse, but you cannot have any type of dialogue about the 2024 Kentucky football team without discussing what is going on with the offense. Brad White‘s defense is reeling, and Kentucky is not playing winning football on that side of the ball, but the offensive problems stand out as the biggest issue.

For the sixth time versus a conference foe this season, Bush Hamdan‘s offense failed to score more than 20 offensive points. Despite scoring 10 points on the first two possessions in a two-possession loss to Auburn, Kentucky went seven consecutive drives without scoring to end the game.

Kentucky cannot create explosive plays or finish scoring drives. Each stood out in the 24-10 loss at Kroger Field.

Kentucky fails to land haymaker

Mark Stoops could not have drawn up a better start to Saturday’s game. The Wildcats scored on their opening possession, and then a quick three-and-out from the defense set up a short field for the offense. The Wildcats added a touchdown to take a 10-0 lead. Two snaps later, a JQ Hardaway interception gave the offense another short field.

Beginning the possession at the Auburn 40, another Kentucky touchdown would’ve given Kentucky a commanding three-possession lead in a game with limited possessions. The Wildcats were just 40 yards from getting into full control.

Kentucky failed to capitalize.

After a short gain on first down and an incomplete pass on second down, Kentucky faced a third-and-long at the Auburn 39. The result was a sign of things to come.

Auburn shows an exotic blitz look on the passing down and gets Brock Vandagriff on the ground.

That's a @FaulkKeldric SACK 💥 pic.twitter.com/FiVY0cLHC4

— Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) October 27, 2024

The Tigers bring only four with a tackle/end twist stunt on the left side of Kentucky’s offensive line, and the front cannot handle it. Auburn flushes Vandagriff out of the pocket and gets a huge havoc play to end the scoring threat. Any yardage at all on this play gives Kentucky a shot at a field goal. Instead, the punt team runs out on the field after Kentucky misses a huge opportunity.

Over the next five drives, Kentucky would find itself in third-and-long, and the Auburn pass rush would force either a sack, incomplete pass, or interception to get off the field. The Wildcats had no answers on obvious passing downs against this Auburn front.

A big miss on a vertical throw

After Auburn took advantage of a short field to cut the Kentucky lead to 10-7 with under 11 minutes remaining in the second quarter, we saw a 22-yard scramble completion from Brock Vandagriff to Hardley Gilmore IV get the drive rolling.

Facing a second-and-eight at their own 45, Bush Hamdan dialed up a vertical shot to Dane Key. Brock Vandagriff delivered a great throw. Kentucky’s WR1 just could not finish the catch.

Instead of a first down in the red zone, Kentucky faces another third-and-long. Vandagriff would throw an interception rolling to his right, and Auburn would then add a field goal to tie the game at 10 with 3:57 left in the second quarter.

Kentucky has struggled to create explosive plays and missed a monster chance at one that could’ve extended the lead to 10 in the middle of the second quarter.

Another low red zone blunder

Auburn took a 24-10 lead following a 45-yard touchdown rumble by Jarquez Hunter with 12:11 left in the fourth quarter. After gaining only six yards on seven plays in the third quarter with Gavin Wimsatt behind center, Kentucky finally got something rolling in the second half.

Kentucky marched 66 yards in 10 plays to create a first-and-goal at the Auburn 3 following a 15-yard run by Wimsatt. Kentucky would only get one more yard the rest of the series.

Following two run plays for one yard and a completed shovel pass to tight end Khamari Anderson for zero yards, Kentucky faced a fourth-and-goal at the Auburn 2. The offense tried to get the ball to Dane Key, but Auburn was ready.

Kentucky goes to a 12 personnel look in the low red zone and gets the man coverage look they want. The motion should give Key leverage and an easy throw for Wimsatt. Instead, the ball comes out late after the play-action fake, and cornerback Kayin Lee undercuts the route for a fourth down interception to end the scoring threat.

The game felt nearly over at that point, but the Wildcats had a chance to put some real game pressure on Auburn in a three-point game with four stoppages and over four minutes left to play. Instead, the Wildcats ruined another red zone opportunity.

Kentucky’s inability to create explosive plays or finish drives has become the story of the season.