Miracle in Oxford: Mark Stoops Leads Kentucky To His Best Win
Kentucky Shocks the country by knocking off Ole Miss.
For Kentucky, this game will be talked about for years to come. Just 2 weeks after barely losing to the Georgia Bulldogs at home, the Cats traveled to Oxford for another top-10 matchup. Going into the game, Kentucky looked under-matched, as they are a defensive team that looks to take advantage of big plays by their stars.
It looked like it was going to be a long day for the Cats early on, as Ole Miss scored in six plays on their opening drive. The drive was highlighted by a 39-yard catch and run by wideout Tre Harris. The Cats responded by kicking a field goal to cut it to 7-3. After 3 straight punts by the Rebels, Kentucky took control. Brock Vandergriff led a 13-play 81-yard drive ending with a connection to break-out receiver Dane Key.
Up 10-7 at the half, the Cats looked too close. After disappointment 2 weeks ago, it was time for the tides to change. The teams traded field goals early in the third Tre Harris had to make up for a fumble. He did just that by going 48 yards to the crib to take a 17-13 lead.
With about 5 minutes left in the game, Kentucky needed a big play. On 4th & 7 from their own 20, Mark Stoops made one of the biggest decisions of his career. Vandergriff dropped back and threw it deep to Barion Brown, something Kentucky doesn't often do. Brown went up and made a spectacular catch. He stopped on a dime and changed directions. He was finally brought down at the Ole Miss 17 after the 63-yard catch and run.
Kentucky was in for a whirlwind of events, but backup running QB Gavin Wimsatt fumbled on the next play. As the ball rolled into the endzone, tight end Josh Kattus fell on it, giving the Cats a 20-17 lead with 2:25 left to play. With one last chance, Ole Miss dropped back on 4th & 11. Jaxson Dart heaved a prayer downfield to a wide-open Caden Prieskorn for 42 yards, putting the Rebels in field goal range. The Cats only allowed three yards, so on 4th & 7 Ole Miss trotted out their kicker for a game-tying 48-yard field goal.
The city of Lexington went silent as the ball was snapped. The kick went up and went immediately wide giving Kentucky fans and Mark Stoops their biggest win in almost 20 years. This game will be talked about for years to come, as Kentucky finally broke through beating a top-10 team. Next up for the Cats will be a well-deserved Bye-week before facing Vanderbilt at home.