RECAP: Longhorns humble Wildcats, 31-14, on Senior Day
Texas Longhorns fans were worried the No. 3 team in the country might overlook Kentucky in anticipation of the matchup with in-state rival Texas A&M next weekend. There was no reason for that worry.
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Behind a limping Quinn Ewers, the two-headed backfield of Jaydon Blue and Tre Wisner, and future All-SEC tight end Gunnar Helm’s two touchdown catches, the No. 3 Longhorns thumped Kentucky 31-14 at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
Texas wasted little time after the fireworks of Senior Day. Ewers hit Helm for a three-yard touchdown pass to start the scoring day, converting on fourth down during the Horns’ opening drive. Texas went 75 yards in 11 plays and grabbed the early 7-0 lead.
Ewers finished 20-of-31 passing for 191 yards and two touchdowns, with one turnover as a result of a fumble returned for a touchdown. Helm collected 51 yards receiving on five catches with two scores. Matthew Golden led all receivers with 86 yards on seven receptions.
Kentucky responded to open the second quarter. Brock Vandagriff hit Josh Kattus for a 4-yard scoring catch on fourth down after a 9-play, 73-yard drive that covered 4:08 to tie the game, 7-7.
Texas answered yet again. Behind a heavy dose of carries from Blue and Wisner, the Horns hit paydirt after Blue stretched across the goal line and gave UT the lead back, 14-7, after an 11-play, 65-yard march covering almost five minutes. Blue and Wisner combined for 254 yards rushing on 41 carries with two touchdowns.
Minutes after that score, Jelani McDonald had a superb interception that featured full extension and athleticism from the redshirt freshman from Waco (Texas) Connally.
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That set up Ewers hitting Helm for the second time in the end zone This time it was a 17-yard strike to create a two-possession lead. It made the contest 21-7 with 3:52 left in the first half.
The teams traded punts to open the second half, but the Wildcats got back on the board late in the third quarter after Ewers’ fumble was caught by Jamon Dumas-Johnson and returned 25 yards for the score. It got Kentucky within 10, 24-14.
The Longhorns then went on a 15 play, 86 yard drive full of rushes that ended in the end zone and took 8:22 off the clock. That put the Longhorns up 31-14. Kentucky could not score in response.
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Texas travels to College Station next Saturday for the first battle with the Aggies in 12 years. Kickoff is set for 6:30pm (CT) on ABC.
