@CoachRyanKY
LEXINGTON- The University of Kentucky Wildcats gave the top-ranked Georgia Bulldogs a serious scare on Saturday night in front of a national audience, nearly pulling off a massive upset before falling 13-12 at Kroger Field in Lexington. I will say, the game caught me by surprise as I predicted that the Dawgs would maul the Cats by a score of 63-3 before the game. What happened?
Here are my thoughts:
This game was a defensive standoff, with Kentucky ultimately leading 9-6 after three quarters. Despite out-gaining Georgia 284 to 262 yards in the game, Kentucky’s inability to finish drives and punch the ball into the end zone proved costly. The Wildcats led for much of the game, but Georgia took the lead early in the fourth quarter with a key touchdown drive, the only one scored for either team in the game.
Kentucky quarterback Brock Vandagriff, a former Georgia Bulldog, impressed in this game, completing 14 of 27 passes for 114 yards. His mobility was also crucial, as he added 26 yards on the ground. Despite this strong performance, Kentucky struggled to convert in key moments. Vandagriff was able to buy some time with his feet and the offensive line was slightly improved, the pass protection still leaves much to be desired though.
Georgia’s offense was inconsistent for much of the game, with Kentucky’s defense putting quick and constant pressure on quarterback Carson Beck (whom many have as the #1 overall pick in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft). However, Georgia found its rhythm in the second half, generating more offensive balance and explosive plays. Beck’s leadership, along with the Bulldogs’ running game behind Etienne, was enough to secure the narrow victory.
The Wildcats’ defense stood out throughout the game, holding Georgia to just 13 points—far below their usual offensive output. However, injuries did strike the Bulldogs, with key players like offensive lineman Tate Ratledge leaving the game. Despite these setbacks, Georgia’s depth and experience showed in crunch time, as they eked out the win to maintain their perfect season. (I guess ponying up gets you depth?)
For Kentucky, this game marked a significant improvement from their previous 31-6 loss to South Carolina the previous weekend. The Wildcats showed resilience, competing until the final whistle, which left head coach Mark Stoops proud of his team’s effort. I personally believe that Stoops made a mistake punting the ball with just over three minutes left in the game though. Though according to the stat cast on ESPN, Kentucky had a greater percentage chance to score if they chose to go for it instead of punting the ball.
Although the result was not what they hoped for, the Wildcats proved they could compete with the best teams in the nation. This victory extends Georgia’s dominance over Kentucky, marking their 15th consecutive win in the series. Georgia improved to 3-0 on the season and will now look ahead to their next big challenge against Alabama. Kentucky, meanwhile, falls to 1-2, but their performance in this game could serve as a turning point for the rest of the season. The Wildcats will welcome the Bobcats from Ohio University to Lexington next weekend for parent’s weekend. Kickoff is set for 12:45.
Go Cats.
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