Three-Headed Rush Attack Propels Cats
The Kentucky football program has produced some memorable rushing performances in school history. UK fans will remember the 517 yards rushing, led by 284 from Lynn Bowden, in a 45-13 win over Louisville in 2019. Or when Moe Williams rushed for a school-record 299 yards against South Carolina in 1995.
Cat fans can add Saturday’s 45-21 win over South Alabama to that list. Kentucky showed off a powerful, versatile running attack, rushing 42 times for 390 yards and five touchdowns in the victory.
Saturday’s game marked the first time since Nov. 27, 2021, that UK had two 100-yard rushers in the same contest. In that game, a 52-21 win over Louisville at Cardinal Stadium, the Cats rushed 49 times for 362 yards as a team. Chris Rodriguez carried 16 times for 121 yards, while Will Levis had 14 carries for 113 yards and four touchdowns.
But the Cats did one better. On Saturday, for just the second time in school history, Kentucky had three 100-yard rushers in a game. On Oct. 3, 2020 in a 42-41 loss to Ole Miss, Rodriguez had 133 yards rushing, Terry Wilson had 129 and A.J. Rose added 117.
Kentucky had three players rush for at least 100 yards in Saturday’s win. C.J. Baxter had a season-high 149 yards on 16 carries, including a touchdown. Jason Patterson, who ripped off a 75-yard touchdown rush, had 12 carries for 137 yards and three scores. Jovante Barnes came in late and made the most of his eight carries, rushing for 100 yards and a score. That marks the first time UK has ever had three running backs rush for 100 yards in a single game.
All three backs had explosive plays on Saturday. In addition to Patterson’s long touchdown run, Baxter had a 53-yard rush and Barnes had a 39-yard scamper.
Through the first three games of the season, Kentucky had zero 100-yard rushers.
UK head coach Will Stein liked how his team ran the ball on Saturday.
“We had three backs over 100 yards, which is very positive,” Stein said. “I thought the guys ran hard and, more importantly, we broke some tackles, which is good.”
The 362 yards was by far the most for the Cats this season. The previous high was 205 in the season opener against Youngstown State. Last week, UK had 156 yards rushing in the win at Texas A&M.
Since arriving in Lexington, Stein has consistently said that his offense wants to run the ball. In Saturday’s win over South Alabama, the Cats did exactly that, spreading the ball around and getting several backs involved. Stein and the Cats hope that trend can continue next week at South Carolina.
