Cats Win Again and Are Now Tied for 1st in the SEC

Norman, Oklahoma — Kentucky just keeps finding ways to win.

The No. 15 Wildcats went into one of college football's most intimidating road environments Saturday night, fell behind in the second half, struggled to consistently move the football — and still walked out of Norman with a massive 21-13 victory over Oklahoma.

Kentucky didn't win because it piled up 500 yards of offense. It didn't win because everything went according to plan. The Wildcats won because their defense created four interceptions, while quarterback Kenny Minchey protected the football and delivered when Kentucky absolutely had to have points.

Kentucky improved to 6-1 overall and 4-1 in the SEC, became bowl eligible and kept itself firmly in the conference race.

Kentucky couldn't have scripted the opening portion of the game much better.

Minchey found Willie Rodriguez for a two-yard touchdown, and Adam Zouagui's extra point gave the Wildcats an early 7-0 advantage.

Oklahoma responded with a 44-yard Tate Sandell field goal late in the opening quarter before taking the lead just before halftime. John Mateer connected with Rocky Beers for a 20-yard touchdown with only 36 seconds remaining in the second quarter, and the Sooners carried a 10-7 lead into the locker room.

Oklahoma pushed its advantage to 13-7 when Sandell connected on a 26-yard field goal with 6:36 remaining in the third quarter.

At that point, Kentucky's offense had only seven points and the Wildcats were in danger of letting the game get away.

Instead, Kentucky's defense began changing the game with turnovers.

The Wildcats repeatedly frustrated Mateer and the Oklahoma passing attack, giving Minchey and the offense enough opportunities to stay within striking distance.

Kentucky finally broke through again early in the fourth quarter.

With 12:56 remaining, Minchey found Rodriguez for a 12-yard touchdown. Zouagui added the extra point, putting Kentucky back on top 14-13.

It was Rodriguez's second touchdown reception of the night and Minchey's second touchdown pass.

Kentucky still held only a one-point lead late in the fourth quarter, which meant Oklahoma remained one big play away from moving into position for a potential game-winning field goal.

Jordan Castell made sure that never happened.

With 1:25 remaining, Mateer attempted a pass near midfield. Castell stepped in front, intercepted it at the Oklahoma 41-yard line and took it all the way to the end zone for a 41-yard pick-six.

Suddenly, Kentucky's 14-13 lead had become 21-13.

Oklahoma got the football one final time, but Kentucky wasn't finished creating turnovers. With 27 seconds remaining, Ty Bryant intercepted Mateer, allowing Minchey to take a knee and officially finish the victory.

The story of Saturday night's game can be summed up with one statistic.

Oklahoma moved the football better than Kentucky for much of the night. The Sooners finished with 346 total yards compared with only 230 for Kentucky.

Oklahoma also ran 72 offensive plays compared with Kentucky's 54 and held the football for 31:33.

But Oklahoma's advantage in yardage and possession was erased by four interceptions.

Mateer finished 24-of-40 passing for 270 yards and a touchdown, but he was intercepted three times. Oklahoma's Jacob Ulrich also attempted one pass and was intercepted, giving Kentucky four interceptions overall.

Kentucky didn't need Minchey to throw for 300 yards. It needed him to make smart decisions, complete manageable passes and avoid giving Oklahoma extra possessions.

That's exactly what he did.

Minchey completed 21 of 28 passes for 158 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions.

His two touchdown throws both went to Rodriguez, and Kentucky finished the night without committing a turnover.

In a game where Oklahoma turned it over four times, Minchey's ability to protect the football was enormous.

Kenny Minchey: 21-of-28, 158 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT

Jason Patterson: 12 carries, 38 yards

Mikkel Skinner: 1 carry, 16 yards

Jovantae Barnes: 5 carries, 16 yards

Nic Anderson: 5 catches, 48 yards

Willie Rodriguez: 5 catches, 38 yards, 2 TD

Kenny Darby: 5 catches, 35 yards

John Mateer: 24-of-40, 270 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT

Lloyd Avant: 8 carries, 31 yards

Tory Blaylock: 7 carries, 23 yards

Manny Choice: 5 catches, 98 yards

Isaiah Sategna III: 8 catches, 83 yards

Rocky Beers: 4 catches, 45 yards, 1 TD

Oklahoma entered the fourth quarter leading 13-7.

Kentucky outscored the Sooners 14-0 over the final 15 minutes.

Rodriguez's second touchdown gave Kentucky the lead, the defense prevented Oklahoma from answering, and Castell's pick-six supplied the knockout blow.

Oklahoma had multiple chances to finish the game, but Kentucky made every critical play when it mattered most.

This was much bigger than simply adding another number to Kentucky's win column.

• Kentucky is 6-1 and officially bowl eligible.
• The Wildcats are 4-1 in SEC play.
• Kentucky earned a huge conference road victory in Norman.
• The Wildcats won despite being outgained by 116 yards.
• Kentucky finished the game with zero turnovers.
• The defense forced four Oklahoma interceptions.
• Kentucky scored all 14 points in the fourth quarter.

It was the type of victory that shows just how many different ways this Kentucky team can win.

Great teams don't always play great. Sometimes they survive. Sometimes the offense has to make just enough plays while the defense carries the load. Sometimes winning on the road in the SEC is simply about protecting the football, creating turnovers and making the biggest play when the game is on the line.

That's exactly what Kentucky did in Norman.

Oklahoma outgained the Wildcats 346-230 and ran 18 more offensive plays. None of it mattered because Kentucky won the statistic that mattered most: four takeaways to zero.

Kentucky is 6-1. Kentucky is 4-1 in the SEC. Kentucky just won a huge road game in Norman.

And the Cats are very much in the SEC race.

GO BIG BLUE!