The Kentucky Wildcats entered Saturday’s matchup towards the No. 5 Ole Miss Rebels needing a signature win over a high quality opponent.
After being dismantled by South Carolina and simply lacking a victory over the top-ranked program in America, the Massive Blue Nation was craving a convention win. The duty can be tall as Ole Miss had spanked each workforce put in entrance of it previous to at the moment, and the Cats entered the sport as 17-.5-point canine whereas down star cornerback Maxwell Hairston.
The Rebels’ scoring margin via the primary 4 video games of the season was 220-22, the very best in SEC historical past to start a yr.
Their offense strikes at a speedy tempo and may run up the scoreboard earlier than you even know what occurred. With the pregame information of Kentucky defensive star Maxwell Hairston being dominated out, the problem for UK grew tremendously.
However Mark Stoops’ workforce got here able to play and rose to the event.
Kentucky appeared like the higher workforce within the first half, taking a 10-7 lead into the locker room. Dane Key was the offensive catalyst, scoring his first landing of the season and the Cats’ first landing in convention play.
The second half was much like the final time Kentucky traveled to Oxford. The sport got here right down to the ultimate minutes and a wild play. A fumble restoration ultimately zone gave the Cats a 20-16 lead with 2:25 to go.
After a hard-fought final two minutes, a missed area aim helped UK prevail 20-17 in what was Mark Stoops’s signature win.
That’s proper. Your Kentucky Wildcats pulled off what’s simply among the many greatest wins any school soccer workforce has this season, perhaps even the most effective.
Listed below are 4 issues to know from the monumental win!
Kentucky’s protection is among the greatest in school soccer
In case you didn’t already know — Brad White’s protection is legitimately the most effective models in America.
The Cats held Ole Miss to only 7 factors and 129 whole yards within the first half. They’ve now been the one workforce to throttle the Insurgent offense in any capability this season.
Holding Ole Miss to 17 factors was past spectacular, and the nation is now conscious that Brad White’s group is for actual.
Kentucky’s 20-17 upset was their highest-ranked street win since 1977 and can certainly go down as a signature victory for Mark Stoops.
It’s time to provide Brad White his roses after far too many individuals have been calling for his job on the finish of final season. It’s time for somebody to provide him an opportunity to be a head coach.
Dane Key with one other breakout efficiency
Following up on a career-best recreation towards Ohio, Dane Key confirmed why he’s one of the crucial deadly weapons within the SEC on Saturday towards Ole Miss.
The native product wouldn’t solely refill the stat sheet but in addition impose his will by drawing pass-interference calls, a few of which have been missed.
Key would end the sport with eight grabs for 105 yards and a rating.
Dane Key will play on Sundays quickly and has the possibility to be distinctive.
He’d end the sport with eight catches for 105 yards and a landing.
Controlling time of possession
Much like the Georgia recreation, Kentucky aimed to manage the time of possession, and so they succeeded. Ole Miss solely had the soccer for 8 minutes within the first half. Preserving the Rebels’ explosive offense off the sector allowed the Cats to function at their pace offensively and finally safe a lead after the primary two quarters.
The second half was a lot of the identical as UK had the ball in whole practically double that of Ole Miss. Whereas the protection did the majority of the work, the offense did a fantastic job of sustaining drives and holding the clock transferring to restrict the Rebels’ whole possessions on this one.
It’s HAPPY BYE week
The Cats will get a much-needed week off after their journey to Oxford. UK gained’t take the sector once more till October twelfth when Vandy involves Kroger Area.
Taking up the Commodores at residence needs to be a a lot simpler job than enjoying an offensive juggernaut just like the Ole Miss Rebels on the street.
Vanderbilt is 2-2 on the season and has a BYE this week. However after enjoying Alabama subsequent Saturday afternoon, the Dores are very more likely to be 2-3 earlier than touring to Lexington.
Securing a convention win is at all times a serious plus, and there’s not often a greater alternative than a house recreation towards Vandy.
And with the upcoming video games at Florida and vs. Auburn being very winnable, this workforce now has an opportunity to hit 8+ wins after it appeared simply getting to 6 was a serious uphill climb.
Now, now we have hope for what this season will develop into!
Let’s have a good time!!
GO CATS!!!
