The University of Kentucky junior varsity football team fell to Hargrave MilitaryAcademy’s post-graduate squad on Thursday, Oct. 26 by a score of 9-5 in CommonwealthStadium.
The Cats (1-3) failed to pick up their second straight victory when the Tigers (6-3) wonthe battle of field position and triumphed in the defensive struggle. Hargrave foundthemselves up only 3-0 at halftime after Grant Herron’s 31-yard field goal attempt found itsway through the uprights mid-way through the second quarter.
The Cats attempted to regroup at halftime, but not even the performance ofquarterback Matt Casey (Shelbyville, Ky.), who threw for 220 yards, could help UK find theendzone. Sophomore punter Glen Pakulak (Lapeer, Mich.) kept the Tigers deep in their ownterritory throughout the second half averaging 41.6 yards per punt, including two that weredowned inside the 20-yard line.
Hargrave built on their lead when Tiger quarterback Jared Burks dumped the ball toRyan Neff behind the line scrimmage, who then scampered 83 yards past the Wildcatsecondary. The Tigers had the opportunity to advance the score to 10-0, but the point afterattempt by Alan Stayton failed leaving the score at 9-0.
The Cats finally broke into the scoring column with eight minutes left in the contestwhen Sevin Sucorovic’s (Pulza, Bosnia/Henry Clay HS) 37-yard field goal pushed the scoreto 9-3.
After the Tiger offense stalled, UK found itself with possession of the ball at their own27-yard line. The Cats two-minute offense drove the ball past midfield before Casey foundreceiver Marc Reardon (Ft. Mitchell, Ky.) for a 36-yard gain. The pass landed the Catsinside the 10-yard line with a first down and goal situation.
Three plays later, Casey was intercepted on the 4-yard line by Dennis Thornton to end the Wildcat drive. The Tigers ran down the clock inside five seconds before taking anintentional safety to make the score 9-5 and sealing the win.
Kentucky will be back in action in Commonwealth Stadium on Monday, Oct. 30, versusCampbellsville College.
Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 ScoreHargrave Military 0 3 6 0 9Kentucky 0 0 0 5 5
Team Qtr. Time Scoring Play HM 2nd 9:57 Grant Herron 31 yd field goalHM 3rd 7:50 Ryan Neff 83 yd pass from Jared Burks (Stayton kick failed)UK 4th 8:37 Sevin Sucorovic 37 yd field goal UK 4th 0:03 Team safety
