The University of Kentucky junior varsity football team recovered from a two-game losing streak to top the Saint Francis Cougars, 21-17, on Monday, Oct. 16 at Commonwealth Stadium.

The Cats (1-2) led 14-7 at the half after freshman quarterback Matt Casey (Shelbyville, Ky.) connected with sophomore Edgar Gantt (West Hampton, N.J.) on a five-yard touchdown pass and sophomore Noah Gibson (Ft. Thomas, Ky.) scored on a 56-yard punt return. The Cats also looked impressive on the defensive side of the ball in the first half, stopping the Cougars on six of theirseven possessions.

The Cougars (3-2) made a valiant comeback to gain the lead with 17 unanswered points. After a two-yard TD run by AnthonyShefferly, which cut the UK lead to seven just before the half, the score held steady until just into the fourth quarter. With only eight seconds gone in the final stanza, Chris Van Horn sacked Casey in the end zone for a safety. Three plays and 60yards later, the Cougars’ Micah Sanders rambled 32 yards for a TD and caught a two-point conversion pass to give the Cougars a17-14 lead.

The Cats would not be denied, however, as they quickly answered when Casey connected with freshman Brandon O’Brien(Orlando, Fla.) for a 58-yard score to go back up by four, 21-17. SF was driving late in the fourth quarter and appeared to get thewinning score when Chris Avia-gyebi grabbed a pass in the back of the endzone; however, the officials ruled he drobbed the passwith four seconds remaining. The Cougars had one last chance but an incomplete pass closed the contest.

Casey finished the night with 24 completions on 40 attempts for 255 yards and two touchdowns. O’Brien led all receivers with 80 yards on two receptions, while Gantt was not far behind with 73 yards on six receptions.

Defensively, the Cats surrendered 387 yards but forced eight punts and two fumbles on the night.

Kentucky will be back in action in Commonwealth Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 26 at 6 p.m. versus Hargrave Military Academy.

Score by Quarters       1       2       3       4       ScoreSaint Francis           0       7       0       10      17Kentucky Wildcats       14      0       0       7       21Team    Qtr     Time    Scoring Play                                            Play-Yds        SF      UKUK      1st     3:39    Edgar Gantt 5 yard pass from Matt Casey (McDaniel kick) 5-52            0       7UK      1st     1:15    Noah Gibson 56 yard punt return (Sevin Sucorovic kick)                  0       14SF      2nd     5:21    Anthony Shefferly 2 yard run (Jon Lee kick)                     8-56            7       14SF      4th     14:52   Chris Van Horn safety                                                   9       14SF      4th     13:20   Micah Sanders 32 yard run (Antoine Taylor to Sanders 2-pt)      3-60            17      14UK      4th     12:51   Brandon OBrien 58 yard pass from Casey (Sucorovic kick)        1-58            17      21