(Updated – UK fell to Number 18 in AP Rankings and is now 2-1 versus top 25 teams)
It was a long trip from Lexington to College Station and for Kentucky players and their fans it will feel like an even longer trip home. The Wildcats lost their first game of the season in overtime against Texas A&M. The first half was a game of “who can punt the furthest” as both defenses held their ground and forced punts. Kentucky’s only offensive score of the game, however, came in the first quarter. Terry Wilson gave a short shovel pass to Lynn Bowden for a 54-yard touchdown. Other than the Bowden touchdown, the Wildcat’s offense was abysmal. Kentucky only gained a total of 178 yards with 70 of those yards from rushing.
The biggest question that Mark Stoops and the coaching staff will have to answer will be “where was Benny?” Benny Snell only had 13 carries for 60 yards. He was also absent on a pivotal 3rd and 2 play when they decided to pass the ball instead of giving the football to the Heisman candidate. Deciding to not give the football to Benny in overtime left many fans scratching their heads. After the game, Offensive Coordinator Eddie Gran, argued that everyone thought the ball was going to Benny, so they decided to go with a different play.
The one bright side of the night was how well Kentucky’s defense played. Texas A&M had 390 total yards for the game, but only scored 2 times in regulation. The player of the game was, with no doubt, Darius West. West caught his third interception of the season and made the biggest play of the night by scooping up a fumble and scoring a touchdown that sent the game into overtime.
The Wildcats have an open weekend this Saturday before hosting a homecoming game against Vanderbilt on Oct. 20th. Hopefully they can get the offense playing like they were prior to this game.
