FINAL: Kentucky grinds out ugly 10–3 win at Auburn for first SEC victory

It wasn’t pretty, but it counts. Kentucky’s defense carried the load, and one third-quarter touchdown was enough for the Wildcats to hold off Auburn 10–3 and pick up their first SEC win of the season. It’s a celebration in the visiting locker room on the Plains tonight.

Kentucky’s defense was the MVP, holding Auburn to only a field goal, with SEVEN SACKS and 12 tackles for loss. Punter Aidan Laros was excellent in a game of field position, too.

Before the team’s flight home, a rundown of the game:

Low-scoring first half (the lowest, actually)

Neither offense found much rhythm before the break. Kentucky struck first midway through the second quarter when Jacob Kauwe knocked in a 48-yard field goal, one of the few clean drives either team managed early. Auburn answered just before halftime with a short kick of its own after Cutter Boley threw an interception that set the Tigers up before halftime. How many times has BBN seen that?

Outside of those two series, the game belonged to the defenses. Brad White’s group pressured first-time starter Ashton Daniels into quick throws, scrambles and sacks, while the Tigers’ front limited Kentucky to short gains on early downs. Both teams went to the locker room tied 3-3, the lowest-scoring first half in the SEC this season.

Second half spark

Kentucky opened the second half with its best drive of the night, marching 75 yards in 10 plays to retake the lead. Boley came out sharp, converting a pair of 3rd-and-11s to Fred Farrier II for gains of 13 and 32 yards that kept the drive alive and shifted the momentum back to the Wildcats. Farrier had only 53 yards receiving on the season before tonight.

Seth McGowan picked up tough yards on the ground before Boley capped the possession with a screen pass to Kendrick Law, who slipped a tackle and ran into the end zone from 13 yards out. Kauwe’s extra point made it 10-3 Kentucky, giving the Wildcats a jolt after a quiet first half.

.@KendrickLaw2 capping off the drive in the ENDZONE.

📺 – SEC Network pic.twitter.com/nNcqRSwan3

— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) November 2, 2025

Auburn shuffles quarterbacks late

Auburn’s offense spent the second half searching for a spark under center. Hugh Freeze briefly turned to Jackson Arnold, the Tigers’ starter for the first eight games, but the move didn’t change much against Kentucky’s pass rush. Arnold’s two series went nowhere before Freeze went back to Ashton Daniels, who had opened the night as the starter.

Daniels returned for Auburn’s final drive and strung together a few late completions, including a third-down throw to Cam Coleman and a 19-yard gain to Preston Howard to reach the Kentucky 35. But the comeback effort stalled there, as JQ Hardaway broke up a pass near the sideline with less than 30 seconds left. Daniels finished 12 of 22 for 96 yards and 87 rushing, and the constant quarterback shuffle summed up Auburn’s night. Kentucky’s Jordan Lovett intercepted Daniels’ last pass.

Kentucky dodges disaster in a circus play

Kentucky nearly handed the game away in the final minutes when Boley launched a floating pass into coverage with a 10–3 lead. The throw was intercepted by Anquon Fegans and briefly gave Auburn new life, but the Tigers fumbled on the return. Kentucky tight end Henry Boyer jumped on the loose ball near midfield, giving the Wildcats possession right back.

It was a wild swing that summed up the night, sloppy at times, but good enough to hang on. Kentucky’s defense closed the door from there to secure the win.

Box Score: Kentucky 10, Auburn 3