Game Day Central: Kentucky vs. Ohio
Cat Walk
Pregame
First Quarter
Kentucky got the ball first and the Cats were able to get a first down on a pass from Vandagriff to Sumo-Karngbaye for 18 yards. However, the drive would stall and UK was forced to punt.
The UK defense would force Ohio into a three-and-out on the Bobcats’ first possession. Ohio would punt and the Cats took over at their own 36 with 10:35 left in the first quarter.
On Kentucky’s next drive, Jamarion Wilcox had a 19-yard carry and Gavin Wimsatt had an eight-yard carry to get the Cats into Ohio territory. A 16-yard completion from Vandagriff to Dane Key got the Cats into the red zone. However, the drive would stall and the Cats would have to settle for a 30-yard field goal from Alex Raynor, which was good, and UK took a 3-0 lead with 5:48 left in the first quarter.
Ohio would make its initial first down of the game on its next drive, but the Cats defense would force another punt, and the Cats took over at their own 20 with 3:07 left in the first quarter.
Kentucky’s next drive started with three big plays. Vandagriff connected with Barion Brown for 19 yards, followed by a 21-yard rush from Wilcox. The freshman followed that with a run of 23 yards, getting the Cats into the red zone again. The first quarter would end with UK threatening to add to a 3-0 lead.
2nd Quarter
On the first play of the second quarter, Vandagriff connected with Key for a 15-yard gain, getting the Cats to the doorstep. On the next play, Sumo-Karngbaye scored a one-yard touchdown. Raynor added the PAT and Kentucky led 10-0 with 14:39 left in the half.
Ohio had its first significant drive of the game on its next possession. The Bobcats would get inside the UK red zone but the Bobcats fumbled and UK’s J.J. Weaver recovered at the UK 15 yard line, ending the threat.
Kentucky’s next drive looked to be going nowhere before Vandagriff found Dane Key for a 42-yard completion. From there, the Cats appeared to be stopped. However, Vandagriff and Key hooked up again, this time foe a 36-yard completion on fourth down, getting the Cats to the two. On the next play, Sumo-Karngbaye scored his second touchdown of the game, and UK extended the lead. Raynor added the PAT and the Cats held a 17-0 advantage with 4:07 left in the half. That would be the halftime score.
3rd Quarter
Ohio got the first possession of the third quarter and the Bobcats were able to get one first down before the UK defense forced yet another punt. The Cats took over at their own 17 yard line.
The Cats put together a scoring drive, riding the hot passing of Vandagriff. He completed passing to Key (33 yards), Jordan Dingle (19 and 7) and Brown (two) to get the Cats into scoring position. However, the drive stalled and Raynor came on again, nailing a 34-yard field goal and giving the Cats a 20-0 lead. Raynor set a school record in the process with his 12th consecutive made field goal.
On Ohio’s next possession, quarterback Nick Poulos threw a pass into the right flat that UK’s Maxwell Hairston intercepted and returned 25 yards for a touchdown. It was Hairston’s third career pick six, which tied the UK all-time record. The Raynor extra point made it 27-0 Kentucky with 5:12 to play in the third quarter.
As the third quarter came to a close, Ohio was inside the UK five yard line.
4th Quarter
On the first play of the fourth quarter, Ohio got on the board when Ricky Hunt rushed for a one-yard touchdown. The Bobcats went for two, but Poulos’ pass was batted down by UK’s Tre’Vonn Rybka.
Kentucky would answer with a scoring drive of its own. The Cats covered 56 yards in just fix plays, ending with a 23-yard touchdown run by Brown. Raynor made another PAT and the Cats led 34-6 with 11:38 remaining.
The Cats would add another score when Gavin Wimsatt scored on a two-yard touchdown run. It was Wimsatt’s first touchdown as a Wildcat. Raynor added the PAT and the Cats led 41-6.
