LIVE BLOG: Kentucky vs. Texas
Can Kentucky play spoiler to Texas’ College Football Playoff dreams? We’re about to find out. KSR’s new and improved LIVE BLOG will bring you all the sights and sounds from Austin as the Cats take on the Longhorns at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC).
Kentucky (4-6, 1-6 SEC) must win out to go to a bowl. Step one is upsetting a Texas team (9-1, 5-1 SEC) that is No. 3 in the AP Poll and CFP Rankings. The Longhorns have the nation’s top defense and a balanced offense led by quarterback Quinn Ewers. Kentucky’s defense is finally healthy again, but the Cats will need to be stellar in all three phases of the game to have a chance against the Longhorns under the ABC spotlight.
Refresh the feed below for updates and our takes on the game, from both Austin and the couch. You can also join the conversation on the KSBoard Game Thread or by texting your observations to 859-587-3828 (standard messaging rates apply).
Special thanks to Friends of Coal for keeping the lights on in today’s live blog.
Friends of Coal is dedicated to informing and educating Kentucky citizens about the coal industry and its vital role in the state’s future. We provide a united voice for an industry that has been and remains a critical economic contributor to Kentucky. By working together, we can provide good jobs and benefits for future generations. Coal is RESILIENT, RELIABLE, and AFFORDABLE.
Friends of Coal is a volunteer organization. All are invited to be a part of our organization, which consists of proud Kentuckians as well as residents from beyond our borders. Head to friendsofcoalkentucky.org to learn more.
Quick Kentucky 3-and-Out
11/23/2024 03:20:07 PMKentucky only gained three yards on its second possession. A pass to Hardley Gilmore was nearly intercepted and Vandagriff’s third down throw to Dane Key was incomplete.
It feels like it’s going to be a long day for the Kentucky offense.
Fourth Down Stop!
11/23/2024 03:14:24 PMTexas was rocking and rolling until they got to the 40-yard line. Maxwell Hairston skied high to swat a pass down in the end zone. Sark went for it on fourth and short for the second time. This time Ewers couldn’t run away from the pressure put on by Tyreese Fearbry. The Texas QB threw it to no one, giving the Cats a stop and the ball near the UT 30-yard line.
Good things! Let’s get some more!
One Good Play, Three Bad Ones
11/23/2024 03:05:25 PMJamarion Wilcox earned his first career start. They handed the redshirt freshman the football on the first play and he toted the rock 18 yards down the field. That was good. The rest was bad. In the blink of an eye, Brock Vandagriff was sacked on the ensuing snap, effectively ending the drive and forcing an Aidan Laros punt.
Texas Capitalizes on Money Down
11/23/2024 02:58:20 PMThe Longhorns converted on a third and fourth down to get on the scoreboard first. An Alex Afari TFL forced a third and long, one where the Cats gave up a 19-yard gain. Texas marched down inside the five where JQ Hardaway made a PBU on third down in the end zone. Sark elected to go for it on fourth down. Ewers didn’t have anything initially, but the coverage broke down during the scramble drill for an easy pitch-and-catch touchdown to TE Gunnar Helm.
Tails Failed
11/23/2024 02:48:15 PMKentucky chose heads and IT WAS HEADS. Huge win to start the day. The coin flipped the Cats’ way. UK deferred, giving Texas the ball first. Let’s play some football.
Kickoff still set for 3:50 PM ET
11/23/2024 02:41:35 PMFlorida just handed Ole Miss an embarrassing loss that will likely oust the Rebels from the College Football Playoffs. Now, it’s time for Kentucky vs. Texas. Kickoff is still set for 3:50 PM ET.
Well Done, BBN
11/23/2024 02:29:08 PMThere’s a lot of blue inside this monstrosity of a stadium. Everything’s bigger in Texas.
The Minister of Culture is in the Building
11/23/2024 02:16:47 PMMatthew McConaughey is in the end zone chatting with boosters and firing up the Longhorns ahead of Senior Day. People forget that his father and mother met when his dad played football at Kentucky in 1949. On the way into the game, I spotted what could only be his vehicle.
Interesting Tailgate Scene in Austin
11/23/2024 02:01:25 PMThis isn’t your typical SEC environment. Austin is an enormous city, much larger than I expected, and DKR is just a stone’s throw away from the downtown entertainment district. That means there isn’t really any area to tailgate, aside from outside parking garages.
The alternative isn’t that bad though. Essentially the entire circumference of the stadium is filled with various ways to have a little pregame fun. One area was just for a pregame concert. “Smokey’s Midway” was a literal midway with carnival games and a Ferris wheel. Bevo Boulevard was similar, except with free giveaways and inflatables for kids. We ran into some friends who spent time at a beer garden. Beer and food vendors are at seemingly every turn. It was a great setup, especially for visiting fans. Check out the IG/FB story to get a closer look at it all.
Looking at a 3:50 p.m. ET start at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium
11/23/2024 01:49:32 PMHello from Austin. I have to admit that this place is pretty cool. Not much traditional tailgating outside the stadium but there are multiple entertainment sections with a live band, pop-up bars, zip lines, bounce houses, and some fair games. Feels like the university is printing money. Quite the scene.
Inside the stadium, we’re getting a delayed start time with ABC on the call. Kickoff is scheduled to take place at 3:50 p.m. ET/2:50 p.m. CT. Fans are slowly starting the fill the Stadium. The Texas student section has filled up quickly and is located very close to the Kentucky sideline.
I’m still looking for Bevo.
It is Hot on the Field
11/23/2024 01:45:49 PMIt may have snowed across the Commonwealth, but it is toasty in Austin. Met with my cousin for lunch and he said this is the coolest it’s been all fall. Temperatures are still near 80 for kickoff. Fans who deleted beers on Friday night will be sweating ’em out this afternoon at DKR. The heat doesn’t seem to bother Houston native, Zion Childress, who was rocking sleeves while getting loose before kickoff. Childress is one of four Texas natives on the UK roster.
Kentucky Fans are Everywhere
11/23/2024 01:40:33 PMBig Blue Nation showed out in a big way for the school’s first trip to Austin, Texas in a very long time. Everywhere you look, you see blue. It feels like an SEC Tournament crowd. Speaking of, I wouldn’t be mad if they played the event at the Moody Center in the future.
Mark Stoops Receives a Welcome Reception
11/23/2024 01:36:34 PMFor his first road trip to DKR Texas Memorial Stadium, Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops received a warm welcome from the Longhorns. That included a cowboy hat and some spurs, the latter of which will surely be put to good use on a regular basis.
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