No. 13 Kentucky Falls at Texas A&M in Overtime
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Despite a valiant effort by its defense, No. 13 Kentucky suffered its first loss of the season on Saturday night, falling 20-14 to Texas A&M in overtime at Kyle Field.
The Wildcats’ offense struggled all night against a stout Aggies’ defense. Kentucky managed just 178 yards of total offense, with star running back Benny Snell, Jr. held to a season-low 60 yards rushing. Quarterback Terry Wilson passed for 108 yards and a touchdown in the game.
But it was the defense that allowed Kentucky to stay close. Darius West had a huge game with 10 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery for a 40-yard touchdown that tied the game late in regulation. Mike Edwards had nine tackles, including three tackles for loss.
The game was scoreless until late in the first quarter, when Kentucky got the scoring going. Wilson connected with Lynn Bowden, Jr. on a 54-yard touchdown toss/pass and Miles Butler’s extra point gave the Cats a 7-0 lead with 1:10 left in the period. That would be the score after one quarter of play.
It stayed that way until just before halftime, when Texas A&M drove 70 yards in 13 plays, finishing with a three-yard touchdown pass from Kellen Mond to Quartney Davis, tying the game at 7-7 with 1:14 to go in the half. The game would be tied at that score at the break.
Neither team scored in the third quarter, but in the fourth period, momentum seemed to shift in Kentucky’s favor. An interception by West gave Kentucky the ball near midfield, setting the Cats up for a potential go-ahead score. But Kentucky went three-and-out, and Rashad Hall returned the ensuing punt to the Kentucky 46, giving A&M the momentum back.
The Aggies took immediate advantage, with the help of a lucky bounce. On the second play after the punt return, Mond’s pass, intended for Camron Buckley, glanced off of Buckley’s hands and into the arms of Jace Sternberger, who took it 46 yards for a touchdown, giving A&M a 14-7 lead with 10:13 to play in the game.
Inside the final five minutes of regulation, A&M appeared to be ready to put the game away. On a third down and one, Derrick Baity, Jr. forced a Mond fumble, which was recovered by West, who returned it 40 yards for a touchdown. Butler’s PAT tied the game at 14-14 with 4:17 to play in regulation.
The teams would be tied 14-14 at the end of regulation, forcing overtime. Kentucky’s offensive possession stalled, and Butler’s 43-yard field goal hit the crossbar, coming up just short. A&M would need just four plays to score, capped by a Trayveon Williams 10-yard touchdown run to win the game.
Kentucky has next weekend off before returning to SEC action on October 20 by hosting Vanderbilt at Kroger Field.
