Game Day Central: Kentucky at Auburn
Cat Walk
Pregame
1st Quarter
Each team punted on their first possessions of the game, with Auburn making one first down and Kentucky none. Auburn’s second time with the football produced a pair of first downs, but ended with another punt.
Kentucky took over at its own 17 yard line and the Cats would get a first down on an 18-yard completion from Boley to Kendrick Law. However, UK would be forced to punt again and Auburn took over at its own 12 yard line.
The Tigers would punt again on their third possession and the Cats took over at their own 26. Boley would scramble for a first down on the final play of the first quarter, and the Cats were near midfield.
2nd Quarter
On the first play of the second quarter, Law rushed for 10 yards, getting Kentucky into Auburn territory. A Seth McGowan 18-yard run got the Cats another first down. However, the drive stalled at that point and freshman kicker Jacob Kauwe came on and converted a 48-yard field goal to give Kentucky a 3-0 lead.
The momentum stayed on Kentucky’s side as the UK defense forced a three-and-out and another Auburn punt. The Cats would take over at their own 29 with 10:12 left in the first half. UK would make a pair of first downs, but would have to punt it back to the Tigers, who took over at their own 12 with 4:51 left in the half.
The Tigers had their best possession of the first half, to that point, on the ensuing drive. Auburn crossed midfield. However, on fourth and six, Auburn went for it and Khalil Saunders came up with a sack. UK took over at the Auburn 49 with 1:44 left in the half.
Kentucky would give the ball back to Auburn when Boley was intercepted by Elijah Melendez, who returned it to the UK 35 with 1:00 left in the half. The Tigers would get into the UK red zone, but the UK defense held and Auburn settled for a 27-yard field goal from Alex McPherson, tying the game at 3-3. That would be the halftime score.
3rd Quarter
The Cats got the first possession of the second half and UK made the most of the opportunity. Twice on third down plays, Boley connected with Fred Farrier, first for 13 yards and later for 32, getting UK into the Auburn red zone. Two plays later, Boley found Law for a 13-yard touchdown, the first of the night for either team. Kauwe added the PAT and Kentucky led 10-3 with 9:27 left in the third quarter.
Auburn made three first downs on its first drive of the second half. However, the drive stalled and when Saunders registered his second sack on the night, the Tigers were forced to punt. UK took over at their own nine yard line with 3:12 left in the third quarter.
The Cats would get a pair of first downs as the third quarter expired with UK holding a 10-3 lead.
4th Quarter
Early in the fourth quarter, the Cats crossed midfield but were eventually forced to punt. Auburn took over at its own eight yard line with 11:56 remaining.
Auburn switched quarterbacks, going with Jackson Arnold in place of Ashton Daniels, and the Tigers were able to make a pair of first downs. However, the UK defense stood tall yet again and forced an Auburn punt. The Cats took over at their own 16 with 8:59 to play.
Kentucky would get two first downs and got near midfield before being forced to punt. Auburn took over at its own 12 yard line with 5:18 remaining.
