HALFTIME: Kentucky and Texas are in a Rock Fight

The Kentucky mascot Scratch at Kroger Field, via Crawford Ifland, KSR

Things almost got hairy for the Wildcats at the end of the second half, but the Kentucky defense stood strong to keep it within arm’s reach against Texas.

It was a game of defense and field position. An exceptional Texas punt downed at the 9-yard line put the Cats behind the 8-ball. Cutter Boley was slammed into end zone, but forward progress helped Kentucky avoid a safety. That field position still cost them points.

On the ensuing punt, Ryan Niblett nearly returned it to the end zone. The returner got a score in Red River, but he was tackled five yards short in Lexington. Three plays later, Tre Wisner fumbled at the goal line, but a Texas offensive lineman was there to recover it for the score.

Kentucky avoided another disaster, thanks to exceptional defense. Boley faced pressure on third and a mile. Instead of throwing it out of bounds, he threw it up for a pick. Texas took over in Kentucky territory and had a chance to take a two-score lead. Then David Gusta and Grant Godfrey sacked Arch Manning to put the Horns out of field goal range. A PBU by Terhyon Nichols forced Texas to punt the ball, preserving the 7-0 deficit.

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Big Blue Nation was just hoping the Cats would escape the half without any blemishes. Then Seth McGowan and Kendrick Law made a couple of explosive plays. DJ Miller got Kentucky into field goal range, then the one thing happened that couldn’t happen: Boley got sacked. Jacob Kauwe had to attempt a 53-yard field goal, and missed it left.

Halftime Stats

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