LEXINGTON — Entering Saturday saddled with an eight-quarter touchdown-less drought, Kentucky’s offense wouldn’t need to do much to showcase improvement in that department.
One touchdown would represent progress.
The Wildcats’ offense did just that. And they added another for good measure — while receiving help from their stout defense and ever-reliable placekicker Alex Raynor.
It added up to a stress-free 41-6 victory for UK over Ohio at Kroger Field.
The Wildcats (2-2) did what they needed to do in taking care of business against their Mid-American Conference foe. The 35-point win helped Kentucky snap its two-game losing skid after back-to-back home setbacks (South Carolina and Georgia).
UK’s offense had a solid, not spectacular, outing against Ohio (2-2).
The Wildcats had eight possessions: They scored four touchdowns, notched two field goals (both courtesy of Raynor), punted once and had a turnover on downs.
The hosts might have put even more points on the board if not for clock mismanagement at the end of the first half.
On third and 11 at Ohio’s 33 and 19 seconds left, Kentucky had no timeouts. Instead of kicking a field goal, UK snapped the ball. The Bobcats dropped Wildcats quarterback Brock Vandagriff for a 10-yard loss. Though UK rushed its field-goal team onto the field, it was too late: The clock ran out before Raynor could attempt a 60-yard field goal.
Still, UK went into the locker room ahead 17-0.
Running back Demie Sumo-Karngbaye accounted for both first-half touchdowns, from the 1- and 2-yard lines, respectively. Receiver Barion Brown also scored on the ground, taking it 23 yards in the final period to extend the lead to 34-6.
Kentucky’s other touchdown came at the expense of Ohio’s offense: Cornerback Maxwell Hairston picked off a pass from Bobcats signal caller Nick Poulos and returned it 25 yards for a score at the 5:12 mark of the third quarter.
While UK’s offense crossed the goal line three times, none came through the air.
Vandagriff, who hasn’t thrown a touchdown pass since a 31-0 win over Southern Miss in Week 1, finished Saturday 17 for 24 for 237 yards. He departed in the fourth quarter, giving way to backup Gavin Wimsatt with 10:02 remaining. Wimsatt scored the game’s final TD, with 3:45 to go, to put the finishing touches on the Wildcats’ lopsided win.
Despite not connecting for a touchdown toss, Vandagriff went to junior wideout Dane Key early — and often. Key hauled in seven passes for 145 yards, posting game highs in both categories.
With its four-game homestand over, Kentucky hits the road for the first time this season next week.
Awaiting UK in Oxford, Mississippi, is an Ole Miss club that entered Saturday with a 3-0 record, ranked No. 5 in the latest US LBM Coaches Poll. Ole Miss hosts Georgia Southern at 6:45 p.m.
Next week’s contest at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium is set to begin at noon ET.
It will air nationally on either ABC or ESPN.
This story will be updated.
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
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Publish date : 2024-09-21 08:58:00
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