Kentucky vs. Texas: By the Numbers

Texas defense vs. Kentucky, via Will Gallagher, Inside Texas

Kentucky returns home to play under the lights at Kroger Field. The Wildcats are 12.5-point underdogs against Texas. In desperate need of a win for the home fans, can Mark Stoops pull off an improbable upset? Here are all of the stats, facts, and numbers you need to know before the Cats take on the Horns.

0 — Wins for Kentucky in their last five night games at Kroger Field. Mark Stoops is 36-36 in night games. The Kentucky head coach is 17-26 in October and 6-17 in games played on ESPN.

2 — Texas starting offensive linemen will be sidelined with injuries, center Cole Hutson and left guard Connor Stroh.

2 — Interceptions by Texas DB Malik Muhammad last week in Red River. He also added a TFL and a PBU to earn SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

2.5 — Sacks by former five-star talent Colin Simmons last Saturday, with 1.5 in the fourth quarter. He ranks fifth in the SEC with 4.0 sacks this fall.

5 — Interceptions thrown by Arch Manning this season. Only two SEC quarterbacks have thrown more. Manning is also ranked 14th in completion percentage, connecting with his receivers 63% of the time.

6 — Interceptions by the Kentucky defense this fall. They’re just behind four other teams who have 8 picks. Ty Bryant has two of them. Only Alabama’s Brent Hubbard has more.

+6 — Texas has the second-best turnover margin in the SEC. They also rank in the Top 10 nationally with a dozen takeaways.

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7 — Rushing touchdowns for Kentucky RB Seth McGowan, the third-most in the SEC.

7.4 — Tackles per game by Kentucky LB Alex Afari, which ranks fourth in the SEC.

11 — Points per game allowed by the Texas defense, the third-fewest in the nation.

21.6 — Yards per punt return by Ryan Niblett, tops in the SEC, after he took a punt 75 yards to the house against Oklahoma.

29 — Penalties by Kentucky this fall. Only Missouri has recorded fewer penalties in the SEC.

38.7% — The success rate of the Texas offense when they pass the ball, which ranks No. 109 nationally.

43 — Yard completion by Cutter Boley on his first pass attempt last fall at Texas. Even though he did not orchestrate a comeback, the true freshman performed admirably, completing 10-18 passes for 160 yards.

74.33 — Rushing yards allowed per game by the Texas defense, ranking fourth nationally. They also rank 10th in EPA and 18th in success rate.