Game Day Central: Kentucky at Texas A&M
Pregame
1st Quarter
Kentucky kicked off to start the game and A&M’s Terry Bussey returned the ball to the 14 where he was hit by Demarcus Gardner, who dislodged the football, which was recovered by UK’s Kevis Thomas at the A&M 14. However, the play was overturned on video review and the Aggies took possession.
A&M drove 76 yards in 14 plays, but the UK defense came up huge at the end of the possession. On fourth-and-inches from the UK 11 yard line, Sam Greene came off the edge to stop Rueben Owens II for no gain and the Cats took over with 9:14 to play in the first quarter.
On Kentucky’s first play from scrimmage, Minchey found D.J. Miller for a 19-yard completion. However, the drive would stall and UK punted the ball back to the Aggies, who took over at their own 28 yard line with 7:12 remaining in the first stanza.
Texas A&M would drive into Kentucky territory, covering 45 yards. However, on the ninth play of the drive, Greene would intercept A&M quarterback Marcel Reed and the Cats took over at their own 29 with 2:54 left in the first quarter.
On the second play of the drive, Minchey found C.J. Baxter for 28 yards, getting the Cats into A&M territory. UK would get to the A&M 33 as the first quarter ended in a scoreless tie.
2nd Quarter
In the second quarter, Baxter broke loose for 16 yards to get the Cats to the A&M 16 yard line. However, a penalty and a sack derailed the drive. Adam Zouagui attempted a field goal from 39 yards, but he missed left and the game remained scoreless with 12:20 left in the first half.
A&M took the possession and drove into UK territory. The Aggies converted four third downs on the drive and, on the 14th play of the drive, scored on a two-yard touchdown run by Carsyn Baker. The extra point by David Olano was good and A&M led 7-0 with 5:18 left in the half.
On UK’s ensuing drive, Jason Patterson got loose up the middle for 13 yards, but the big play was Minchey finding Miller for 53 yards, getting Kentucky to the A&M 17. Mikkel Skinner rushed for 14 yards to get the Cats to the three yard line, then Minchey found tight end Henry Boyer for a three-yard touchdown. Zouagui added the point after and the game was tied with 1:59 left in the half.
A&M would cross midfield on its next drive, but the drive stalled and the Aggies were forced to punt just before the half, which ended with the game tied 7-7.
3rd Quarter
Kentucky got the ball to start the third quarter and the Cats used the drive to take the lead for the first time. UK went 75 yards in seven plays, including a 15-yard rush by Baxter and a 42-yard touchdown pass from Minchey to freshman Kenny Darby to surge ahead. Zouagui added the PAT and Kentucky led 14-7 with 11:07 to play in the third quarter.
The UK defense forced a three-and-out on A&M’s first drive of the third quarter, with Greene making another big play on third down. The Aggies punted and the Cats took over at their own 17 with 9:19 left in the third.
Kentucky appeared to be on its way to a three-and-out, but Minchey found Darby for a 22-yard completion and a first down. Later in the drive, Jason Patterson had runs of 22 and 14 yards as the Cats got into A&M territory. Two receptions by Willie Rodriguez got the Cats inside the five, then Baxter scored on a three-yard touchdown to extend the lead. Zouagui added the point after and Kentucky led 21-7 with 3:55 left in the third quarter.
Kentucky took advantage of the short field. Minchey found Miller for 14 yards, then Baxter rushed for six, 11 and two yards, the last of which was a touchdown. Zouagui added another extra point and UK led 28-7 with 16 seconds remaining in the third quarter. That would be the score after three quarters.
4th Quarter
A&M would respond on its next drive. The Aggies would cover 75 yards in 13 plays, ending with a five-yard touchdown run by Reed. Olano added the PAT and the Cats’ lead was cut to 28-14 with 11:37 remaining.
Kentucky figured to slow the game down a bit and run the ball on its next drive. However, on the second play of that possession, Minchey found Boyer for a 32-yard gain, getting the Cats into A&M territory. However, the drive was stopped and UK was forced into a 52-yard field goal attempt. The kick from Zouagui hit the left upright and bounced through the uprights to give Kentucky a 31-14 lead with 8:22 left in the game. It was the longest field goal of Zouagui’s career.
As they did all day long, the Kentucky defense stepped up again on the next drive. A&M drove down the field and appeared to be ready to score, but Jordan Castell intercepted Reed at the UK seven yard line.
