Kentucky Tops Middle Tennessee for Eighth Win of Season
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Benny Snell, Jr. rushed 26 times for 116 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and Kentucky won its eighth game of the season, topping Middle Tennessee 34-23 on Saturday at Kroger Field.
It was the fifth time this season that Snell has rushed for at least 100 yards, and the 17th such game in his UK career. Snell’s two touchdowns give him 44 for his career, the second-most rushing touchdowns of any player in SEC history prior to his senior year. Only former Georgia Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker had more career touchdowns prior to his senior season (49).
The eight wins in a season is the most since Kentucky won eight times in 1984.
Josh Allen had two sacks, breaking a pair of school records in the process. Allen set UK’s career record for sacks with 26.5, while also breaking the Kentucky single-season record with 13. Allen registered a career-high 15 tackles in the game.
Kentucky got on the board first, when Mike Edwards picked off a Brent Stockstill pass and returned it 66 yards for a touchdown, the second of Edwards’ career. Miles Butler converted the PAT and Kentucky led 7-0 with 13:33 left in the first quarter.
Less than five minutes later, the Cats struck again. After Edwards caused a Middle Tennessee fumble, which was recovered by Davonte Robinson, Kentucky drove 50 yards in eight plays. Snell finished the drive with a seven-yard touchdown run and Butler’s PAT gave the Cats a 14-0 lead with 8:36 still remaining in the first quarter.
After a Middle Tennessee punt, Kentucky added to its lead with 10-play, 34-yard drive that ended with a 38-yard Butler field goal, giving the Cats a 17-0 lead with 1:35 still left in the first period. Kentucky would lead by that score at the end of the first quarter.
Middle Tennessee scored early in the second quarter when Stockstill connected with Chaton Mobley on a six-yard touchdown pass. Crews Holt converted the extra point to cut Kentucky’s lead to 17-7 with 11:20 left in the first half.
Kentucky quickly answered, covering 75 yards in just five plays, ending with an 11-yard Terry Wilson touchdown pass to C.J. Conrad in the back of the end zone. Butler’s PAT was good, and UK led 24-7 lead with 8:40 still left in the half.
Late in the first half, Middle Tennessee took advantage of good field position, as the Blue Raiders added a 33-yard Holt field goal to make it 24-10 with 1:04 left in the half. That would be the halftime score.
Kentucky extended its lead in the third quarter. The Cats covered 83 yards in nine plays, culminating with Snell’s second touchdown of the game, this one from six yards out. Butler made the extra point and UK took a 31-10 lead with 10:30 left in the third quarter.
Middle Tennessee cut into the lead later in the third quarter when Stockstill connected with Ty Lee on a 10-yard touchdown pass. The PAT missed, and the Cats led 31-16 with 4:32 left in the quarter. That would be the score after three periods of play.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Blue Raiders struck again, mounting an 11-play, 65-yard drive that ended with Stockstill’s third touchdown pass of the game, this one to Patrick Smith from five yards out. Holt’s PAT was good, and UK’s lead was cut to 31-23 with 13:18 left in the game.
Kentucky extended its lead with 4:01 left in the game on a 32-yard Butler field goal, giving the Cats a 34-23 advantage. Middle Tennessee would threaten late, but could not score.
Kentucky concludes the regular season next Saturday, visiting archrival Louisville. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET and the game can be seen on ESPN2.
