LIVE BLOG: Kentucky vs. No. 20 Ole Miss

Kentucky trims the lead to seven

After a 38-yard completion to Hardley Gilmore IV, Mark Stoops decides to take the points. Jacob Kauwe splits the pipes from 39 yards. Here comes an onside kick with eight seconds left.

Ole Miss extends the lead

Lucas Carneiro was an All-American for a reason last season. The WKU transfer unofficially ends the game with a 36-yard field goal with 1:10 left in the game. Looks like Cutter Boley is going back on the field for the Kentucky offense.

This is the game

We’ve reached the two-minute timeout. Ole Miss faces a 3rd-and-14 at the Kentucky 22 with one of the best field kickers in college football as a fallback option. UK is out of stoppages.

Ole Miss right run the clock out now

Lane Kiffin saves his wildcat formation package for a big sequence. Kewan Lacy bounces one outside for 33 yards and puts the Rebels into the red zone. Kentucky has just one timeout left facing a fresh set of downs. This one could be over now.

Another turnover on downs in scoring territory

A big Dante Dowdell got the drive rolling but Kentucky only gains three yards in four plays after that. Yet another scoring opportunity ends in no points. Ole Miss takes possession holding a seven-point lead with 4:11 left. Kentucky has three timeouts remaining.

Cutter Boley has entered the game

Zach Calzada hurt his shoulder on the last drive and is currently being looked up. That means its backup QB time in Lexington. Cutter Boley is in the huddle with the offense.

Kentucky defense gets off the field quickly

The Kentucky defense does its part. Lane Kiffin goes run-run-run. It ends in a three-and-out with starting quarterback Austin Simmons hobbled. The offense is back on the field with some field position just 60 yards from paydirt.

Kentucky comes up empty in the red zone

A holding call on Henry Boyer turned a third-and-four into a second-and-14. After picking up five yards, consecutive Zach Calzada incompletions end the threat. Mark Stoops is irate about a no-call on third down where an Ole Miss defender climbed up the back of Josh Kattus.

Kentucky is knocking on the door

After a quick three-and-out by the Kentucky defense got the offense some field position, a big run by Seth McGowan on third-and-three has the Cats in Ole Miss territory. The Cats are threatening to tie the game early in the fourth quarter.

Stats Through Three Quarters

Ole Miss has a 2nd and 12 from the 16 to open the fourth quarter.

Another Three-and-Out

That’s six on the day for the Kentucky offense. It’s probably two too many to keep up with Ole Miss. Kentucky is in the danger zone, but at least Laros punted a ball 56 yards. Ole Miss will start from the 18, looking to land a dagger with the fourth quarter on the horizon.

Ole Miss Responds

The cracks in the Kentucky defense are widening. An RPO pass to the tight end got Ole Miss rolling. Austin Simmons picked up 14 yards scrambling on the following play. Lacy added 15 two plays later. With the Cats on their heels, Simmons punched it in with a 7-yard rushing touchdown.

Ole Miss went 75 yards in eight plays and only 3:15 taken off the clock. Kiffin has them humming and we’ve got just over 17 minutes to play.

There Goes That Man

Grove Street is blaring through the speakers and Seth McGowan has brought Kroger Field back to life.

OFFENSE! POINTS!

Kentucky let Seth McGowan get rolling and No. 3 rewarded them. After a pair of runs got the Cats a few first downs, Bush Hamdan let Calzada take a shot. It was at the perfect time.

Ole Miss ran a corner blitz. It gave Ja’Mori Maclin plenty of room to blow by the safety. He connected with Calzada for a 44-yard gain. Two plays later, McGowan was in the end zone.

We got a 20-20 ballgame, folks.

Kentucky Avoids a Dagger

It won’t surprise you that Kentucky’s offense went three-and-out, again. Ole Miss was ready this time around.

The Rebels picked up a blitz from Alex Afari and dialed up a 39-yard bomb. It looked like they were going to saunter into the end zone. In a goal-to-go, Ole Miss was flagged for a hold. That served as the drive-killer. Kentucky for the stop and forced a chip shot field goal.

As bad as the offense has been, with five three-and-outs in seven standard possessions, Kentucky only trails by 7 with nine minutes to go in the third quarter.

Back-to-Back Three-and-Outs

The Wildcats opened the half with a three-and-out after a three-yard run and two incomplete passes. The energy was sucked from the stadium. Fortunately, the Kentucky defense answered the bell and forced a three-and-out of their own.

This stadium needs to see something positive from the offense in the worst way.

ABC broadcast team roasts UK’s final drive of the half

Kentucky’s final drive of the first half was disastrous, and ABC’s crew of Sean McDonough and Greg McElroy rightly roasted Stoops and his staff for it. Kentucky had reached field-goal range but blundered it due to more self-inflicted errors.

Sean McDonough: “We just chronicled Mark Stoops’ tenure, and for the most part, it’s been a very successful tenure. It’s turned south the last couple of years. But these are the kinds of things, if you’re on the hot seat, they’ll get you fired. It just does not look like a well-coached football team in terms of management and operation. They do a lot of things very well, they play great defense, they coach great defense, but the offense and the game management is an issue, at least recently.”

Greg McElroy: “And he is lighting up members of his offensive staff, as he should be. He’s not the one calling the plays, calling the formations. That’s coming from Bush Hamdan, the OC, and the rest of the offensive staff. That is on the offense.”

Once the game officially went to half, McDonough quipped, “and not a moment too soon.” Lane Kiffin summed it up when he called Kentucky’s offense one-dimensional and said his team just needed to focus on tackling.

Let’s clean it up in the second half, please.

Halftime Stats

Kentucky gets the ball first to start the second half.

A Disastrous End of Half

Mark Stoops is not known for excellent execution at the end of halves. Kentucky did the right thing. They handed the ball off and looked for an explosive play. Seth McGowan provided it. They completed another pass to Ja’Mori Maclin to get the ball down to the Ole Miss 40.

The Cats had a chance to attempt a field goal if they picked up just a few more yards. Then they couldn’t get lined up. That led to a penalty, pushing them way out of field goal range. It got worse with a holding call. A chance to cut into the deficit was taken away. Sigh.

Big Stop for Kentucky

Ole Miss got rocking and rolling, but it didn’t last. The Cats gave up a couple of 20+ yard plays before bucking up and stuffing the run, ultimately forcing Ole Miss to settle for a 43-yard field goal.

Rebels have a 17-13 lead with just over a minute until halftime.

POINTS!

Kentucky had to burn its final timeout because they didn’t have 11 men on the field after the kickoff. Getting lined up has become a problem, although not one big enough to prevent them from scoring.

A 16-yard gain to Hardley Gilmore on third down put Kentucky in scoring territory. They kept it in the air more than I’d like, opting to pass on third and four. Calzada gambled while scrambling and it was nearly picked off in the end zone. Luckily, it fell to the turf, allowing Jacob Kauwe to make a 31-yard field goal, his second of the day.

Kentucky trailed 14-13 with just over four minutes till halftime.

That was Easy

And just like that, Ole Miss has the lead.

Terhyon Nichols missed a tackle, letting Deuce Alexander scamper 23 yards down the field. Kentucky got Ole Miss into a third down. The Rebels went empty and Austin Simmons put them a yard away from the end zone. Two plays later, Damien Taylor punched it in to give Ole Miss a 14-10 lead.

The air has been taken out of the stadium. The Kentucky offense has to respond.

Another Overturned First Down

Kentucky has had two complete passes in two games go to the replay booth. Both were overturned. Both led to Kentucky punts. The Cats have gone three-and-out on every drive that didn’t start with an interception.

A Big Swing for Ole Miss

Kentucky forced Ole Miss to a fourth and one. A stop would give the ball back to Kentucky at the Ole Miss 44-yard line. They did not get a stop.

A Kentucky defensive back got caught looking on a play-action pass as Lane went for the jugular. Harrison Wallace III broke a tackle and went 55 yards before he was taken down at the one. Kewan Lacy punched it in one play later.

Just like that, it’s a 10-7 game.

Kentucky Takes 10-0 Lead

Kentucky turned Austin Simmons’ second interception to Ty Bryant into three points. Jacob Kauwe buried a 33-yard attempt through the uprights to give the Cats a two-score lead with 14 minutes to play in the second quarter.

First Quarter Stats

Zach Calzada took a sack, making it 3rd and 15 on the Ole Miss 21-yard line to start the second quarter.

Perfect Defense = Another Interception

On third and long, David Gusta got cleanly through the offensive line and delivered a SHOT to Austin Simmons. It forced the quarterback to sail the ball, and guess who was right there waiting? Ty Bryant, AGAIN. The Lexington safety has two interceptions in the first quarter.

TOUCHDOWN KENTUCKY!

Kentucky capitalized on a big opportunity. The defense set up the short field and the Cats took care of business.

It wasn’t always pretty, but Seth McGowan came up huge. The running back laid a HUGE block to free up Kendrick Law to gain eight yards on a pitch pass. The Wildcats had a second and goal when McGowan knifed through the Ole Miss defense to score a touchdown from nine yards out.

That’s an 8-play scoring drive that only went 31 yards in 4:19. That time of possession is great news for the Kentucky defense.

That’s a Pretty Pick

TURNOVER TIME

LFGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Self-Inflicted Mistakes Kill the Kentucky Offense, Again

It feels like deja vu all over again. Kentucky’s offense couldn’t get out of its own way in week one. They’re doing it again in week two.

On the second snap of drive No. 2, Kentucky got the ball to Kendrick Law on a quick screen. He was a move away from a touchdown, gaining 37 yards for the second-longest play of the season. The play was wiped away because the Cats couldn’t get lined up. Illegal formation on the offense.

Zach Calzada put beautiful touch on a pass to Seth McGowan. The ball went just over the defender’s fingertips in the scramble drill action. McGowan bobbled it multiple times before it fell incomplete. Dante Dowdell got enough yards for Mark Stoops to try to go for it on fourth down. Kentucky couldn’t get out of the huddle quick enough and was forced to burn a timeout. Stoops ultimately opted to punt instead.

Yakety Sax.

DOINK!

Kentucky’s defense bent, but did not break. The Wildcats really only had one bad play, allowing Deuce Alexander to wiggle free for a 30-yard gain that put the Rebels in scoring territory. They didn’t gain another yard. Lucas Carneiro is lethal, but not this time. His 51-yard attempt doinked off the left upright. IT’s still a scoreless tie with just over 10 minutes to play in the first quarter.

Austin Simmons Dinged Up

The Ole Miss quarterback took a shot on that third down from Mi’Quise Humphrey-Grace. ESPN reports that Simmons had to get his left ankle taped after that opening possession. He’s still in the game, but it’s worth monitoring.

Kentucky Stuffs Ole Miss, but gets Nothing from It

The Rebels only moved the sticks once in their opening drive. Kentucky didn’t give Ole Miss anything easy in the run game. On third and medium, Mi’Quise Humphrey-Grace shed a blocked and took Austin Simmons to the turf for a short gain that forced a punt.

Ole Miss hit Ty Bryant early, giving Kentucky favorable field position at the 35-yard line. It looks like another penalty would move the sticks for Kentucky, but on third and long the Cats, not the Rebels, were flagged for pass interference. Of all the calls, it was one of them.

To make matters worst, Aidan Laros shanked the punt, only traveling 28 yards. Ole Miss ball at the 36.

“Operation: Turn my Son into a UK Fan” is Off to a Great Start

I’m more nervous about my son than this game. So far, so good. Thanks to some friendly advice from KSBoarders, he brought his camera and has loved taking snapshots. We got tattoos and eyeblack before kickoff, and even a cookie from the pressbox. He’s ready to watch the Wildcats win.

Grove Street is BACK

The crowd pop was a high-pitched roar when that beat first hit. We have an empty upper left corner, but this is a pretty hot crowd who’s ready to see some football in what has turned out to be a beautiful day for Football in the Bluegrass.

Kentucky fans are not happy with Ole Miss fans

During the singing of “My Old Kentucky Home” the Ole Miss section started loudly doing their traditional “Hotty Toddy” chant. Kentucky fans were not happy about it. A lot of boos at Kroger Field. We’re getting testy early.

Chris Oats in the house

Among the guests at Kroger Field today: former Kentucky linebacker Chris Oats. Great to see No. 22 back on the sideline.

Pregame Scenes at Kroger Field

The rain has thankfully moved out, but it made for a soggy tailgating scene at Kroger Field. Check out some pics courtesy of Mont Dawson.

Kickoff pushed to 3:50 PM ET

We’re going to have to wait a little while longer, folks. There are still 11 minutes left in San Jose State vs. Texas, the game that precedes Kentucky vs. Ole Miss on ABC, so kickoff of the Cats vs. the Rebels has been pushed to 3:50 p.m. ET.

Hotty Toddy showed up

I’m just now getting settled in at the press box after a fun couple of hours at KSBar but I was surprised by the amount of red here on my walk to the stadium. Ole Miss will have a good crowd today. Parking lots were full just over an hour until kickoff.

Big Day in the Roush House

The stakes are high for the Roushes. Today is my oldest son’s first game. I was his age when I first got hooked on this Kentucky football addiction. It’s different for this guy.

My 5-year-old independently decided to start cheering for the Cardinal Birds a couple of years ago. His mother played for UofL. She didn’t urge him to do it, but he decided that was the case nonetheless.

Today is the day we can turn the tide and convince him that Blue is the way and the light. Today’s the day Kroger Field can come alive and turn a 5-year-old into a full-fledge Kentucky football fanatic. Let’s make it happen, Cats.

The Rain has Stopped

And there might even be some blue in the sky on the horizon. It’s going to be an unseasonably cool afternoon at Kroger Field, the perfect temperature for the Cats to cook Ole Miss.

DJ Waller is OUT

Kentucky will miss a starting cornerback against Ole Miss. DJ Waller brought a ton of length and experience to the secondary. He performed well in Oxford last year. Terhyon Nichols should not miss a beat, but he can’t play every snap. Expect Maryland transfer Kevis Thomas to take some reps.

Lane Kiffin is already sweating

We knew the Ole Miss head coach gets nervous whenever he has to play Kentucky. Hours before kickoff, he’s already sweating.

The Cat Walk Crowd

BBN didn’t roll as deep for this week’s Cat Walk, however, I can confirm the tailgate lots were significantly fuller than a week ago. Most chose to stay under the tents, rather than walk through the rain to see the team.

Tim Couch is in the House

The Deuce is back at his Old Kentucky Home ahead of the matchup with Ole Miss. Tim Couch was posing for pictures with fans at the Northwest Corner of the stadium, where the AFCA Coaches’ Trophy is on display. It’s the old Crystal Ball they gave to the BCS Champions. Now it appears to hang out with the team that finishes the season atop the Coaches’ Poll.

Soggy Start

A steady rain has covered Kroger Field to kick off the tailgate. However, it hasn’t really kept people away. The students were standing in a long line more than 2.5 hours till kickoff. And the good news? The skies are clearing to the East. The cold rain should stop prior to kickoff *knock on wood.*