Kentucky Ends Abysmal SEC Campaign with 31-14 Loss at Texas
Thousands of Kentucky fans who traveled to Austin got to watch another disappointing performance. No. 3 Texas made the most of the Wildcats’ mistakes to run away with a 31-14 victory.
The loss drops Kentucky to 4-7. More importantly, the Cats end SEC play with a 1-7 record. It’s the fewest SEC wins by the Wildcats since they put out an 0-8 effort in Mark Stoops’ first season. The loss also ensures Kentucky will not play in a bowl game for the first time since 2015.
Kentucky scored 20 points in the win at Ole Miss, the only SEC win of the season. They never scored more than 20 points against an SEC opponent. The last time that happened was in 1982 when the Wildcats went 0-10-1 during Jerry Claiborne’s first season.
It’s been a frustrating Kentucky football season filled with mistakes and that was once again on display in Austin. Here’s how the loss unfolded.
Somewhat Promising Start for Kentucky
Texas got on the scoreboard first with a Quinn Ewers fourth-down touchdown pass. Kentucky had a counter-punch in its bag.
Brock Vandagriff scrambled around and bought enough time to let Ja’Mori Maclin get wide open down the field for a 42-yard gain. Demie Sumo-Karngbaye almost fumbled the ball away in the red zone but was able to recover it. On fourth and short, Vandagriff had enough time on the play-action pass to get the ball to Josh Kattus for an equalizing touchdown.
Second Quarter Slide
The tie ballgame got away from Kentucky in a hurry during the second quarter. Texas responded with a touchdown on the following possession. Vandagriff followed it up with an interception that Texas quickly turned into another touchdown. Just like that, Kentucky was staring at a 14-point deficit.
But wait — THERE’S MORE!
A quick three-and-out gave Texas the ball back with just under two minutes to play. They marched down the field to make it 24-7 right before halftime, a deficit far too large for the Cats to overcome.
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Brock Vandagriff Benched for Cutter Boley
Just like the Murray State game, Cutter Boley was inserted into the action to start the second half. Vandagriff was 3-7 for 51 yards, a touchdown, and an interception when he was sent to the sideline.
Boley’s first snap was rough, a sack that lost about 15 yards. His second snap was a beautiful 43-yard bomb. Boley had another deep shot overturned by penalty. Even though he did not put up a ton of points, the true freshman had flashes of greatness, completing 10-18 passes for 160 yards and an interception.
Two Third Quarter Texas Turnovers
While Boley was throwing the ball around the yard, Texas was giving the ball back to Kentucky. Deone Walker recovered a fumble that was forced by Alex Afari. That was the first of six Texas fumbles. Kentucky only recovered two.
The UK offense actually did something with the opportunity, getting the ball down to the 1-yard line. That’s when Boley took a sack and Alex Raynor missed his first field goal of the season. Kentucky has now been inside the 5-yard line and scored zero points in five of the last six games.
The Kentucky defense put more heat on Texas when Octavious Oxendine stripped Ewers. The ball went directly to Jamon Dumas-Johnson who ran 25 yards for a touchdown.
The defensive score made it a 10-point game, but Kentucky couldn’t muster enough to make it any closer. Texas punched in a late touchdown to put the nail in the coffin.
Kentucky vs. Texas Box Score
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