No. 15 Kentucky Defense Seals 21-13 Victory at Oklahoma
No. 15 Kentucky secured a 21-13 road victory over Oklahoma on Saturday at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, propelled by four interceptions and a late defensive touchdown, UK Athletics reported. The Wildcats improved to 6-1 overall and 4-1 in the Southeastern Conference, while the Sooners fell to 3-3 and 1-2 in conference play.
Quarterback Kenny Minchey Connects With Willie Rodriguez for Two Scores
Kentucky quarterback Kenny Minchey completed 21 of 28 passes for 158 yards and two touchdowns, both caught by tight end Willie Rodriguez. The Wildcats struck first in the opening quarter when Minchey found Rodriguez for a two-yard touchdown pass to cap a drive that included a 16-yard rush by tight end Mikkel Skinner on fourth-and-one. Oklahoma responded with a 13-play, 49-yard drive ending in a 44-yard field goal by Tate Sandell, his 19th career make from 40 yards or more, according to soonersports.com. The Sooners took a 10-7 lead before halftime when quarterback John Mateer connected with tight end Rocky Beers for a 20-yard touchdown pass, completing a 90-yard, 12-play sequence.
No. 15 Kentucky rallied from a six-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat Oklahoma 21-13, moving into a tie for first place in the SEC.• Kenny Minchey completed 21 of 28 passes for 158 yards and 2 touchdowns, both to Willie Rodriguez. Kentucky scored 14 unanswered points in the…
Oklahoma Outgains Kentucky in Total Yards Despite Late Defensive Collapse
Oklahoma outgained Kentucky 346 to 230 in total yards and held a 270 to 158 advantage in passing yards, according to soonersports.com. Mateer finished 24 of 40 passing for 270 yards. In his first career start, Sooners sophomore wide receiver Manny Choice recorded career highs of five receptions and 98 yards, while teammate Isaiah Sategna III hauled in eight catches for 83 yards. Defensively, Oklahoma freshman lineman Jake Kreul tallied 2.5 sacks—the most by a true freshman in school history—along with six tackles. Linebackers Kip Lewis and Owen Heinecke paced the Sooners with eight tackles apiece. Despite holding the Wildcats to their second-lowest offensive output of the season in total yards, passing yards, and rushing yards, Oklahoma allowed 14 fourth-quarter points.
Jordan Castell and Ty Bryant Clinch the SEC Win With Late Interceptions
Kentucky regained the lead at 14-13 with 12:53 remaining in the contest when Minchey connected with Rodriguez for a 12-yard touchdown, capping a drive that featured runs of five and eight yards by Jason Patterson. The Wildcats sealed the outcome with 1:17 left on the clock when defensive back Jordan Castell intercepted a tipped pass and returned it 41 yards down the left sideline for a touchdown. Ty Bryant added his second interception of the game with 21 seconds remaining to thwart Oklahoma’s final possession. Bryant and Castell each recorded two interceptions on the afternoon, backed by five total sacks from the Kentucky defense.
Upcoming SEC Matchups for Kentucky and Oklahoma
Kentucky returns home next Saturday to host Vanderbilt in an SEC matchup scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on the SEC Network. Oklahoma travels to Starkville, Mississippi, on Oct. 24 to face Mississippi State with kickoff set for 2:30 p.m. on the SEC Network, as reported by soonersports.com.
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