Kentucky’s offense started off slow only scoring a field goal in the first. The Wildcats defensive line maintained pressure on Ohio’s backup QB Nick Poulos. until Jamarion Wilcox sparked the offense in the first quarter with 3 big runs for a total of 63 yards. Kentucky started the second quarter with a rushing touchdown from Demie Sumo-Karngbaye. Halfway through the second quarter fifth year senior JJ Weaver recovered a fumble to keep the score at 10-0. Brock Vandagriff then started to find his rhythm connecting with Dane Key on a crucial 3rd down for 36 yards. Following the turnover Wildcats RB Sumo-Karngbaye found himself in the endzone for his second TD of the half which extended the lead to 17-0.

Late in the 3rd quarter the Wildcats Pre-season All-American cornerback Maxwell Hairston picked off the Bobcats and ran it back for a TD growing the lead to 27-0. After a 27-yard pass from Ohio’s QB Nick Poulos to WR Coleman Owen followed by a 22-yard run from the Bobcats’ Rickey Hunt Jr. The Bobcats when then find their way into the end zone making the score 27-6 at the end of the 3rd. Barion Brown opened up the 4th quarter scoring with a 23-yard TD run for the Wildcats. The Kentucky defense would then go onto force another punt which concluded with a Gavin Wimsatt-led TD drive. The Wildcats would then cruise to victory with a 41-6 win against the Bobcats.

3 Big Takeaways

Brock Vandagriff got the passing game going with 237 Yds going 17/24 through the air. He also added 21 yards on the ground on 7 carries. Wildcats QB was able to get it going after the offense was successful with the run setting up numerous play-action passes. After struggling the past couple of weeks in the air Kentucky was able to roll Brock out in the pocket and have him make tough on-the-run throws which he excels at.

The Dane Key Game. Dane Key had a career day catching 7 passes for a total of 145 yds. It was imperative to get Key going in his junior year after a slow start to the season. Although Key didn’t get in the endzone, he was able to set up a couple of rushing TDs for Sumo-Karngbaye.

Kentucky’s Defense was dominant the entire game. The Wildcats forced a total of 2 turnovers one being returned for a touchdown. The defense was able to hold the Bobcats’ offense to a total of 223 yds. Kentucky’s defense continues to be a bright spot of the team as we anticipated all off-season. The Wildcats defense will have a huge test next week as they face off with offensive powerhouse Ole Miss in Oxford.

Box Score

With Kentucky Football coming off an excruciating one-point loss to the Georgia Bulldogs, let’s look ahead to some recruiting. The 2025 Recruiting Class is already taking place for Mark Stoops and company.  The class is currently sitting at #25 in the country and #11 in the conference.   

This past week Kentucky Insider had the opportunity to sit down with four-star ATH/CB Andrew Purcell. Andrew attends Enterprise High School located in Enterprise, AL. He is ranked as the 25th-best ATH in the Country.  

Purcell was also on campus this past weekend for an official visit and in attendance for the showdown against Georgia. 

Andrew Purcell comes in at just 5-foot9, 185 Pounds. However, he is very explosive with huge, big play ability. He is a dual sport athlete who is a successful basketball player and track runner. He attributes a lot of this to his incredible athleticism on the field.  

Purcell had offers from many Blue Blood programs such as Georgia, Miami, Clemson, and Florida among many others. When asked about what separated Kentucky from these other programs, Purcell said “Just the communication part, my connection with the Coaching Staff. They contacted me daily and that really separated them.”  

This is a common statement from many recruits on Mark Stoops and the rest of the coaching staff. When asked about his lead recruiter he said that Defensive Backs coach, Chris Collins was primarily the guy whom he remained in close contact with.  

There were many factors going into his ultimate decision to attend the University of Kentucky. However, when asked what made the decision much easier, he said, “I just loved everything about the school. They didn’t just care about #4, but they truly cared about me as a person.”  

Purcell also described himself as a “hard worker” and with these qualities, it will be hard for the Big Blue Nation not to enjoy getting to see him on the field.  

Kentucky took No. 1 Georgia to the last play of the game on Saturday. While the Wildcats lost 13-12, if they just had one play of good fortune or one good bounce of the ball, they could have pulled the upset.

That bounce of the ball could have been a potential interception that went through Jordan Lovett’s hands for a Georgia completion, or recovering a fumble at the end of the game, many fans are looking at the officiating.

The first questionable call of the game came in the first quarter. While Kentucky was in Georgia territory, on the brink of getting into the red zone, a facemask was called on the Wildcats despite running back Jamarion Wilcox having his helmet ripped off.

The 15-yard penalty pushed Kentucky back to the 48 and they had the settle for a long field goal, a school record 55-yarder which Alex Raynor made.

The next controversial call happened in the middle of the second quarter, as Georgia receiver Dominic Lovett bobbled a low pass from Carson Beck, popping it up into the air and Kentucky’s Zion Childress ran it back for a touchdown. However, it was overturned after a review, citing that the ball hit the ground.

While the officials called the pass incomplete, many argue that there was not enough evidence to overturn the call. If the call had stood and Kentucky had gone up 10-0, the game could have played out much differently.

One of the more egregious calls came right before halftime. As Kentucky running back Demie Sumo-Karngbaye was hit helmet to helmet. Per the NCAA rulebook, no player shall target and make forcible contact against an opponent with the crown of his helmet.

However, there was no call on the field nor booth review on this play. If a 15-yard penalty was enforced, this would have given Kentucky a first-and-goal at the seven-yard line, with nine seconds before halftime.

While fans issued their anger and frustration on social media, the Kentucky staff bit their tongue, at least publicly. While Mark Stoops sent in the overturned pick-six to the SEC for review, he hasn’t talked about the officiating of Saturday’s game. “I get very frustrated but 50 grand’s 50 grand,” Stoops said on Monday, relating to the $50,000 fine that coaches receive for talking about officiating.

What do you think? If any of these calls had gone in Kentucky’s favor, would that outcome have been different?