Big Blue Preview: Kentucky at Georgia
Info to Know
| Kentucky at Georgia | When: Sat., Oct. 4, Noon ET | Where: Sanford Stadium, Athens, Ga. | TV: ABC | Radio: UK Sports Network |
Preview
Kentucky returns to action on Saturday, visiting Southeastern Conference rival Georgia in Athens (noon ET, ABC).
Both teams are coming off of setbacks last week. The Cats lost at South Carolina, while Georgia saw its home winning streak come to an end in a loss to Alabama.
Kentucky is 2-2 this season, while Georgia is 3-1.
The Cats will be looking for their first win in Athens since 2009, when UK won 34-27.
Cat Scratches: Kentucky Defense Continuing to Work on Consistency
Following Wednesday’s Kentucky football practice, defensive coordinator Brad White discussed the Cats’ last game at South Carolina and the upcoming game against Georgia.
After watching the South Carolina tape, White liked some things that his defense did.
“It’s not for a lack of effort. It comes down to execution and (just a little bit) makes a difference,” White said. “You just slide past a receiver on a fourth and three or you’re supposed to ricochet in an ‘A’ gap and you get bumped out into a ‘B’ gap and it creates a bad rush lane. Just the little things that happen, extend drives.”
The Gamecocks scored on their first drive of the game, but White liked how his unit responded after that.
“I thought our guys rebounded after that first drive,” White said. “Sometimes, you’ve just got to get settled in.”
White and the UK coaching staff are continuing to preach the little things that will allow the Cats to make improvements on defense…Read More
KENTUCKY-GEORGIA
The Series
• Georgia leads the all-time series with Kentucky, 64-12-2.
• The Bulldogs also lead the series in Athens, 32-4-2.
• Georgia has won the past 15 meetings dating back to 2009.
• The Wildcats’ last win over the Bulldogs was in Athens on Nov. 21, 2009, 34-27.
• This is the first time in five meetings Georgia has not been undefeated entering the game.
• Kentucky has defeated Georgia three times when the Bulldogs were ranked (all in Lexington), the last time being a 16-10 victory over No. 11 UGA in 1988.
In The Last Meeting
• Georgia defeated Kentucky in Lexington, 13-12, on Sept. 14, 2024.
• It was the fewest points UK held UGA to since allowing just 12 points in 1995.
• It also was the fewest points UK allowed against a No. 1-ranked team since 1959, a 9-0 loss against LSU.
• The Wildcat defense also held the Bulldogs to 262 yards of total offense, the Dawgs’ fewest since putting up 260 against Texas A&M in November 2019.
• It marked the first time the Cats have held the Dawgs to as little yards since 1996 (212).
• It marked the first time the Cats have held a No. 1-ranked team to as little yards since 1964 (187, vs. Ole Miss).
• UK’s defense also held UGA to its fewest passing yards – 160 – since Georgia Tech held Georgia to 146 yards in November 2022.
• UK’s 170 rushing yards in the game were its most ever against a No. 1-ranked team.
• Alex Raynor, then-kicker, booted a 55-yard field goal, setting the school record for longest FG.
The Connections
• UK has 13 players on its roster from the state of Georgia: LB Antwan Smith (Atlanta), LB Devin Smith (Brunswick), QB Zach Calzada (Buford), DB Demarcus Gardner (Cedartown), DB JQ Hardaway (Columbus), OL Jalen Farmer (Covington), LB Quintavion Norman (Covington), RB Jamarion Wilcox (Douglasville), DL Nic “Happy” Smith (Loganville), DE Lorenzo Cowan (Savannah), DL Tavion Gadson (Savannah), LB Grant Godfrey (Suwanee) and OL Kyle Mixon (Warner Robins).
By the Numbers
4
Wins for Kentucky against Georgia in Athens all-time
8
Made field goals, without a miss, by UK freshman Jacob Kauwe
19
Consecutive games with a tackle by Jordan Lovett, the longest streak on the team
43
Wins in day games for UK head coach Mark Stoops, compared to 39 losses
58
Career rushing yards needed for Dante Dowdell to reach 1,000 yards for his career
