Film Review: What happened on Kentucky's overtime possession

Back in 1987, Kentucky hosted Tennessee in a game where the home team trailed 24-20 late in the fourth quarter with a first-and-goal at the five. That turned into a second-and-goal at the two. After not gaining a yard on second down, the Cats asked tailback Mark Higgs to leap twice to score the game-winning touchdown. He was held out of the endzone both times to prevent the Cats from upsetting No. 15 Tennessee.

Sound familiar?

The same thing happened for Kentucky on Saturday night against Texas. The Cats called up two leap plays for Dante Dowdell and neither found paydirt. A golden opportunity was blown in front of the home crowd against a ranked opponent.

Many will draw that comparison when this game is talked about both now and in the future. What exactly happened on that final sequence? KSR is diving into the tape.

The goal-to go sequence

— First-and-goal at the Texas 3: Kentucky comes out in a jumbo set with a sixth offensive lineman, two tight ends, and defensive lineman Kenyatta Hardge at fullback in a pistol formation with Dante Dowdell aligned eight yards off the ball behind Cutter Boley. UK runs what appears to be a split zone concept to the right. Texas creates some penetration on the right side of the Kentucky line, and Dowdell immediately decides to get north/south immediately. The Nebraska tailback runs into a bunch of traffic and is stopped for no gain.

— Second-and-goal at the Texas 3: Kentucky goes under center with Seth McGowan in the game at tailback. The Cats roll with a traditional 13 personnel look with the top three tight ends all lined up with their hand in the dirt. Kendrick Law is in a wing formation and is used as eye candy on the double play-action fake. This essentially turns into a one-man route with Willie Rodriguez staying in for extra protection. UK is looking to hit Josh Kattus on a delay route, but Texas cornerback Jaylon Guilbeau stays home. Boley tries to scramble and may have found the endzone if he stays outside with Jager Burton as a lead blocker. Instead, the quarterback cuts up field, takes a shot, and gains just two yards.

— Third-and-goal at the Texas 1: Kentucky goes back to a jumbo formation with a sixth offensive lineman and two tight ends. Kenyatta Hardge is back in the game as an offset fullback to the right. Cutter Boley is under center this time with Dante Dowdell directly behind him. From just outside the two-yard line, UK runs the goal line leap play with the entire front blocking down. The Cats get a decent push, and there is some room to operate, but Texas EDGE Brad Spence (No. 14) is unblocked off the left side of the Kentucky offensive line. He crashes down hard and gets a wrap-up hit on Dowdell while the tailback is in the air. That stops his momentum and keeps UK out of the endzone.

— Fourth-and-goal from the Texas 1: Kentucky goes to the exact same under center jumbo package on fourth down. It’s the exact same play. Only this time the interior of UK’s offensive line does not get a good push. Defensive tackle Travis Shaw (No. 44) gets a great jump off the snap and splits the game between center Jager Burton and left guard Joshua Braun. That quick penetration leads to Dante Dowdell likely having to leap just a half of a step too soon. Brad Spence beats a block this time and is there for contact on the jump. UK is not close to crossing the plane. The final result is a turnover on downs.

Nearly 40 years after the failed leaps from Mark Higgs, the same thing happened on Saturday night against Texas. Kentucky’s short-yardage package was stymied by Texas on three consecutive snaps.