Kentucky 41-6 Ohio (September 21, 2024) Match Report

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Two games had passed since Kentucky had scored a touchdown, and it took another quarter before Demie Sumo-Karngbaye scored twice to power the offense in a 41-6 win over Ohio on Saturday.

Quarterback Brock Vandagriff completed 17 of 24 passes for 237 yards as the Wildcats (2-2) put together a balanced 488-yard rushing attack after South Carolina and Georgia kept them out of the end zone. Junior Dane Key caught seven passes for a career-high 145 yards, and redshirt freshman Jamarion Wilcox led the running game with 82 yards as Kentucky rushed for 206 yards.

“I think we executed the game plan we had in mind. We played fast,” Vandagriff said. “We had a couple of penalties that weren't decisive but ruined the drive. But we felt like if we executed our game plan, we could get in the end zone a couple of times.”

Sumo-Karngbaye's 1-yard touchdown early in the second quarter was Kentucky's first touchdown in nine quarters, capping a seven-play, 80-yard run that was kept alive by a 15-yard pass from Vandagriff to Key on third-and-9. His second touchdown was a 2-yard run with 4:07 left in the first half after Vandagriff and Key combined for a 36-yard pass that was converted on fourth-and-7.

The Bobcats (2-2) were only able to rush for 108 yards, well below their 203 yards per game average. Anthony Tyus III, who ranked ninth in the country with 367 yards, rushed for just 24 yards. Ohio's point came with 14:53 left in the game when Ricky Hunt Jr. scored on a 1-yard run.

“We knew we had to play flawlessly,” said Ohio coach Tim Albin. “I said earlier in the week that I didn't see any weakness in Kentucky's defense. I stand by that statement. They're athletic. We had trouble adjusting to the speed on both sides of the ball. But I think we settled in after the first quarter.”

Receiver Barion Brown scored his third touchdown of the season with a 23-yard run with 11:38 minutes left in the game, and backup quarterback Gavin Wimsatt scored with a two-yard run with 3:45 minutes left in the game.

“Obviously it's good to be back on the winning track. I feel like our guys have worked really hard the last few weeks to get some things right,” Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said. “We want to be more consistent. Obviously it was far from perfect today. But a lot of young guys helped out tonight and I think that's extremely important.”

The findings

Ohio: Starting quarterback Packer Navarro was withdrawn at short notice due to a soft tissue injury to his wrist. He had practiced earlier in the week but was unable to complete a midweek practice and was listed as questionable. Backup Nick Poulus threw for 110 yards. The best scoring opportunity of the first half came in the second quarter when Poulus dropped the ball at the Kentucky 5 and JJ Weaver recovered it for the Wildcats.

Kentucky: Kicker Alex Raynor made field goals of 30 and 34 yards and set a school record with 12 consecutive field goals. Defensive back Maxwell Hairston scored a 25-yard touchdown off a 5:12-minute interception with 5 minutes left in the third quarter. It was his third pick six of his career and set a school record.

Next

Ohio hosts Akron on Saturday in the Mid-American Conference opener.

Kentucky travels to No. 5 Mississippi on Saturday.