Kentucky snapped a two game losing streak with a 34-23 win over Middle Tennessee on Senior Day.
Mike Edwards made sure to make it a great Senior Day. On the Blue Raiders first possession, the defensive back from Cincinnati intercepted a pass and ran it back 66 yards for the touchdown. UK takes a 7-0 lead.
On the next Middle Tennessee possession, Edwards forced a fumble that was recovered by Davonte Robinson. UK would put together a drive that was capped off by a Benny Snell, Jr. seven yard run. 14-0 Kentucky in front.
Middle Tennessee put together an 11 play drive against the Wildcats that ended with Brent Stockstill throwing a 6 yard touchdown to Chaton Mobley. The Blue Raiders cut into the UK lead at 17-7.
Kentucky’s next possession, Terry Wilson carried for the first time and picked up 36 yards. Next play, A.J. Rose went 32 and scored a touchdown but after a review he was called out at the one. He would score again on a one yard run but that was called back for holding. Then, Terry Wilson made a great spin move to avoid a sack, set and fired 11 yards to C.J. Conrad for the touchdown. UK would take a 24-7 lead.
UK would give up a bad punt and then a Blue Raiders field goal. At the half, UK would lead 24-10. Middle Tennessee outgained UK 198-183 in total yards. UK only passed the ball 7 times in the half.
Kentucky started the second half with a nine play scoring drive. Terry Wilson did most of it by throwing to Justin Rigg for 29 yards, Isaiah Epps for 14 and C.J. Conrad for 15. Benny Snell, Jr. finished it off with a 6 yard run. UK would lead 31-10.
Middle Tennessee responded with an 11 play drive and scored as Brent Stockstill found Ty Lee for the 10 yard touchdown. A missed extra point and the UK lead was 31-16.
Middle Tennessee made a stop and then went on another long scoring drive as Stockstill threw a quick pass to Patrick Smith and he did the rest on a 5 yard touchdown. The Blue Raiders cut the UK lead to 31-23 with 13:18 to go in the game.
Kentucky’s next possession, they came up a yard short on a 3rd down call from their own 41 and quickly rushed to the line to go for it on 4th. However, Wilson was unable to get it on the quarterback keeper. Middle Tennessee would take over.
UK returned the favor in record breaking fashion. As MTSU was going for 4th down, Josh Allen would sack Stockstill. That makes him the All-Time sacks leader at Kentucky with 26 and a-half sacks. He passes Oliver Barnett who played at UK from 1986-’89.
Kentucky would drive deep into Middle Tennessee territory but had to settle for a 32 yard field goal from Miles Butler. UK would lead 34-23.
Kentucky holds off Middle Tennessee 34-23. The Wildcats are now 8-3 and have their best 11 game start to a season since 1984. It’s also just the fourth time in the past 57 years the cats have won 8 games.
Benny Snell, Jr. ran for 116 yards and two touchdowns. The 5th time this season and 17th time in his career he crossed the 100 yard mark. Terry Wilson was 10-14 for 121 yards and two touchdowns. Josh Allen had another late sack to make it 27.5 for his career. 13 for the season is a single season record.
