Kentucky football’s bowl game chances end in Austin

Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden (2) runs against Kentucky defensive back Maxwell Hairston (1) after a catch during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

AUSTIN, Tx. (ABC36 NEWS NOW)- Mark Stoops’ bowl game streak will not see a ninth year in a row after Kentucky fell to #3 Texas 31-14 in Austin on Saturday.

Stoops had taken UK to eight straight bowl games before this season. The Wildcats, who sit at 4-7, were mathematically eliminated from contention with the loss.

“I know the bowl game streak is gone and it hurts. It’s not fun,” said Stoops. “It’s something we were proud of as a program. You can’t take that stuff for granted.”

How it Happened

Texas got out to a 7-0 lead when quarterback Quinn Ewers found tight end Gunnar Helm in the endzone after a scramble to his left.

Kentucky responded after two drives ending in punts with a QB to TE connection of its own. Brock Vandagriff found Josh Kattus in pay dirt to even the score, 7-7.

The Longhorns capitalized off of a Vandagriff interception to score their second touchdown of the game and went up 14-7 midway through the second quarter. Ewers and Co. added ten more points before halftime, making the score 24-7.

UK had the best chance to strike first with Cutter Boley in at quarterback during the third quarter.

But, the Longhorns limited the Cats to a field goal attempt which was missed wide left by kicker Alex Raynor.

Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) looks to throw against Kentucky during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

A lifeline for Kentucky came in the form of a Jamon Dumas-Johnson scoop and score in the third quarter. That cut the UT lead to ten points, 24-14.

But, it was too little too late as Texas survived a missed field goal of its own in the fourth quarter, scored a touchdown and picked off Boley in the game’s final seconds.

Statistics Splash

Kentucky generated 232 yards of offense, but that’s scarce compared to the fact that Texas rushed for 250 yards alone and had over 400 yards of offense.

Defensively, both teams caused problems with a combined 26 third downs and six fourth downs forced.

Each team had two turnovers with Vandagriff and Boley throwing an interception each.

Brock Vandagriff went 3/7 for 51 yards passing. Starting running back, Jamarion Wilcox, had 11 carries for 50 yards and a long of 18.

Tight end Willie Rodriguez led UK in receiving with three catches for 53 yards.

Boley Ball

Kentucky quarterback Cutter Boley (8) throws under pressure during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Texas in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Lexington Christian Academy product Cutter Boley played the entire second half for Kentucky after Vandagriff was taken out of the game.

“We felt like we needed spark,” said Stoops, who said that Boley was going to get playing time if a win was out of reach for UK.

The freshman went 10/18 and threw for 160 yards, all career highs. His career-long pass came on his first attempt of the day when he threw a 43-yard completion to Barion Brown.

His game action at Texas comes after he played during the second half in a win versus Murray State.

Boley and the Cats return to action on November 30 in a fight for the Governor’s Cup against Louisville at home at noon.