Big Blue Preview: Kentucky vs. Ohio
Info to Know
| Kentucky vs. Georgia | When: Sat., Sept. 14, 7:30 p.m. ET | Where: Kroger Field, Lexington, Ky. | TV: ABC | Radio: UK Sports Network |
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Preview
After nearly upsetting top-ranked Georgia last week, Kentucky returns to action on Saturday, hosting Ohio University at Kroger Field. Kickoff is set for 12:45 p.m. ET and the game can be seen on the SEC Network.
Kentucky is 1-2 on the season. The Cats opened with a 31-0 win over Southern Miss, but have since fallen to Southeastern Conference rivals South Carolina and Georgia. Ohio University is 2-1 this year, having lost to Syracuse in the season opener, then winning against South Alabama and Morgan State.
Cat Scratches: Sumo-Karngbaye Thriving in Featured Role
Kentucky offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan has repeatedly said that he wants his offense to be able to run the ball. And through three games, the Cats have proven to have an effective ground attack. Following Tuesday’s practice, Hamdan again emphasized how important it is for UK to be able to fun the football.
“I think it’s critical,” Hamdan said. “With this offense, it’s always going to start with being able to run the football. At times, defenses have played pretty soft on the back end and not allowed us to stretch the field as much. Having that run game has been impressive.”
In just over a half of football against Southern Miss, UK ran for 148 yards and a touchdown. Against South Carolina, Kentucky had 139 yards rushing. And last week, against then-top-ranked Georgia, the Cats rushed for 170 yards.
Perhaps the biggest surprise through three games is the emergence of Demie Sumo-Karngbaye as the featured back. With Ohio State transfer Chip Trayanum injured, Sumo-Karngbaye has taken on the role as UK’s primary back. He has rushed for 59 yards on just eight carries against Southern Miss, followed by a 70-yard performance against South Carolina. Last week, Sumo-Karngbaye rushed for a career-high 98 yards against Georgia. Hamdan has been impressed with Sumo-Karngbaye’s performance…Read More
Kentucky vs. Ohio
The Series
• Kentucky leads the series with Ohio, 4-2.
• All games have been played in Lexington.
• UK has pitched shutouts in two of the six meetings (1910, 1987).
• The Wildcats and the Bobcats last met in 2014, with the Cats coming out on top, 20-3.
• Fun Fact: In 2004, Kentucky wore special throwback uniforms versus the Bobcats, which later were auctioned off.
The Ties
• Kentucky’s roster has 15 players from the state of Ohio.
• The Ohio roster has two players from the state of Kentucky.
• DB JT Haskins (Lexington)
• OL Jordon Jones (Ashland)
By the Numbers
2
Times that Kentucky has shut out Ohio (1910, 1987) in six all-time meetings
4
Career kickoff returns for touchdowns by Barion Brown, which is a school record
17
Consecutive regular season wins for Kentucky against nonconference opponents
20
Tackles for loss by the UK defense through three games, which ranks 20th in the country
98
Rushing yards for Demie Sumo-Karngbaye against Georgia last week, marking career high
