Oxford, MS – September 28, 2024
Kentucky got a huge defensive effort on Sunday, holding sixth-ranked Ole Miss to a season low in points and yards, as the Cats pulled off a huge upset, topping the Rebels 20-17 on Saturday at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi. It was just the fifth time in program history that the Cats have beaten a team ranked in the nation’s top six.
The Cats scored with 2:25 to play with quarterback Gavin Wimsatt rushed toward the goal line, but fumbled directly into the arms of UK’s Josh Kattus, who fell forward into the end zone for the touchdown.
Quarterback Brock Vandagriff had his best game of the season, connecting on 18 of 28 through the air for 243 yards and a touchdown. Wide receiver Dane Key had another big game, catching a career-high eight passes for 105 yards and a score.
However, the day belonged to the Kentucky defense. Ole Miss came into the game averaging 55 points and 670 yards per game and the Cats held them to 17 points and just 353 yards off offense.
Kentucky (3-2, 1-2 Southeastern Conference) kicked off to start the game and appeared to recover a fumble after a huge hit by freshman Willie Rodriguez. However, after video review, the call was overturned and Ole Miss took over at its own 17 yard line.
The Rebels would take advantage of the possession, covering 83 yards in six plays, ending with a one-yard touchdown run by Henry Parrish. Caden Davis added the point after and Ole Miss grabbed a 7-0 lead with 12:51 left in the first quarter.
Kentucky rode the ground game on its first possession of the game. The Cats used both Vandagriff and Wimsatt on quarterback runs that proved to be very effective. Vandagriff carried four times for 22 yards on the drive and Wimsatt rushed four times for 20 yards. The Cats would get into the Ole Miss red zone but were forced to settle for a 27-yard field goal from Alex Raynor, cutting the deficit to 7-3 with 5:13 left in the first quarter.
The UK defense stepped up on the next drive, forcing Ole Miss into just their second three-and-out of the season. The big play was an Octavious Oxendine sack of Jaxson Dart on third down. The Rebels punted and the Cats took over at their own 34 with 3:36 to play in the first quarter.
Ole Miss (4-1, 0-1) returned the favor, forcing UK into a three-and-out on its next series. After a 49-yard punt by Aidan Laros, the Rebels took over at their own 21 with 1:45 left in the first quarter.
As the second quarter began, Dart was sacked by Deone Walker and Jamon Dumas-Johnson. The Rebels would punt and the Cats took over at their own nine yard line with 14:19 left in the half.
Kentucky would work itself out of bad field position, getting four first downs, getting to midfield in the process. However, the Cats would be forced to punt and the Rebels took over at their own 17 with 7:52 left in the half.
Ole Miss would get one first down on the ensuing drive, but the Kentucky defense forced another punt and the Cats took over at their own 19 with 6:09 left in the half.
The Cats would mount a drive on their next possession, this time going to the air. Vandagriff hit Dane Key for completions of 16 and 24 yards, getting UK into Ole Miss territory as the two-minute warning hit. On third down, the Cats got a pass interference call against the Rebels and a fresh set of downs. UK would get inside the Ole Miss 10 yard line and, on third and goal, Ole Miss was called for another pass interference penalty. On the next play, Vandagriff connected with Key for a five-yard touchdown. Raynor added the PAT and the Cats led 10-7. That would be the halftime score.
Kentucky outgained the nation’s top-ranked offense 161-129 in the first half. The Cats recorded three sacks and held Dart to just 97 yards passing.
The Cats got the ball to start the third quarter, but the Ole Miss defense forced a three-and-out and a Kentucky punt. The Rebels took over at their own 39 with 12:52 to play in the third quarter.
Ole Miss would drive into Kentucky territory with relative ease on its next drive. However, the UK defense stepped up in the red zone and forced the Rebels into a field goal attempt. Davis was good from 31 yards and the game was tied 10-10 with 9:44 left in the third quarter.
On Kentucky’s next drive, Vandagriff found Key again for a 21-yard gain on first down. On the next play, freshman Jamarion Wilcox drug tacklers for a 17-yard gain and another first down. However, a sack of Vandagriff stalled the drive and the Cats called on Raynor again, this time from 48 yards out. The kick was good and UK grabbed a 13-10 lead with 6:31 left in the third quarter.
The Rebels appeared to be ready to tie or take lead, getting into the UK red zone. However, Ole Miss receiver Tre Harris was hit by JQ Hardaway and fumbled, with UK’s Noah Matthews recovering at the UK 18. It was the first turnover of the game.
On the first play of the ensuing drive, Vandagriff connected with Barion Brown for 18 yards and a first down. However, the drive would stall and the Cats would punt again. Ole Miss took over at their own 39 with 2:11 to play in the third quarter.
The Kentucky defense appeared to stop Ole Miss near midfield on the next drive. However, on fourth down, Dart connected with Harris for a 48-yard touchdown Davis added the PAT and the Rebels led 17-13 with just 10 seconds left in the third quarter.
As the fourth quarter began, Kentucky was unable to do anything with its possession and was forced to punt. The Rebels would take over at their own 38 with 12:46 left in the game.
The Kentucky defense did its job again on the ensuing drive, forcing the Rebels into a three-and-out. Ole Miss punted and the Cats took over at their own 12 with 11:14 left in the game.
UK would make a couple of first downs on its next drive, but the Cats would eventually punt. Ole Miss would take over on its own 33 yard line with 6:41 remaining.
Again, the UK defense did its job, forcing the Rebels into a three-and-out and a punt. Kentucky took over at its own 17 with 4:48 to play.
Kentucky appeared to be going nowhere, but the Cats went for it on fourth down and Vandagriff connected with Brown for a 63-yard completion, getting UK to the Ole Miss 17 yard line. On the next play, Sumo-Karngbaye went around left end for 11 yards to the Ole Miss six. On the next play, Wimsatt went left and got near the goal line, but fumbled. The ball popped into the arms of Kattus, who fell forward into the end zone for the touchdown. Raynor added the PAT and Kentucky led 20-17 with 2:25 remaining.
The Cats defense appeared ready to clinch the game but Dart connected with Caden Prieskorn for 42 yards on fourth and 11. Ole Miss was at the UK 34 yard line and had an incompletion and a sack by J.J. Weaver to set up third down. On that third down play, Dart fumbled and UK recovered, but the Cats were offsides and the turnover was negated. On fourth down, the Rebels’ Davis attempted a 48-yard field goal, but he hooked it left and the Cats held on for the win.
Kentucky has next week off, but will return to action on Oct. 12 against Vanderbilt at Kroger Field. Kickoff time for that game will be announced on Monday.
