Cats Defeat Auburn 21-14

For the first time since 1966 the football Cats have defeated the Auburn Tigers. The Kentucky win ended a streak of 15 consecutive losses against the Tigers. The Wildcats were determined to end the woeful streak despite playing the game without starting quarterback Mike Hartline (knee) and  all-SEC cornerback Trevard Lindley (ankle).

Morgan Newton got the start at quarterback for the Wildcats and successfully managed a first possession attack that set up a 38-yard Lones Seiber field goal attempt. The field goal would've given UK a 3-0 lead, but the kick was blocked by Auburn's Jake Ricks and recovered by Auburn's Neiko Thorpe who raced 69 yards for an Auburn touchdown giving the Tigers an early 7-0 lead.

The Wildcats did not allow the special team mishap to ruin their gameplan... run the ball down the throats of the Auburn defense. And run the ball is what the Cats did. Derrick Locke rushed for 126 yards, and Randall Cobb gained 109 yards rushing out of the Wildcat formation, with 61-yards coming on one play in the closing minutes that set Cobb up for the winning 4-yard touchdown run. Quarterbacks Morgan Newton and Will Fidler scored the other two touchdowns on designed quarterback draws.

The Kentucky defense was excellent against a top ranked Auburn offense that came into the game averaging 38 points and 489 yards. The Kentucky defense allowed just 315 yards and two touchdowns with both Auburn touchdowns coming as a result of poor special teams plays by the Wildcats. With the first on the blocked field goal and the second a result of a poor punt by Ryan Tydlacka that gave the Tigers the ball at the Kentucky 48.

In addition to the solid run attack and the stellar defense Kentucky avoided costly penalties that have haunted them all season. For the first time since 1991 (vs. Vanderbilt) Kentucky did not commit a single penalty.

Kentucky will return home Saturday to take on Louisana-Monroe, the first of four straight opponents that UK should be favored to defeat. With Mississippi State, Eastern Kentucky, and Vanderbilt following Louisana-Monroe. Kickoff time for Louisana-Monroe is 7:00 PM with TV coverage provided by FSN South.