COLUMBIA, Mo. — A botched snap on a punt in the final minutes of the game proved to be the key play of the game as the Kentucky Wildcats defeated the Missouri Tigers 21-17 in a defensive battle on Saturday.
The play in question came with 2:41 remaining in the game, with the Wildcats facing a punting situation on fourth-and-four from their own 41. The snap from Drew Perry sailed over punter Colin Goodfellow's head, who had to chase it the loose ball all the way down to the 4 yard line. Goodfellow managed to pick up the ball and get off a punt just as he was tackled by Missouri linebacker Will Norris.
A flag immediately came out and after a discussion, the officials concluded that the roughing the punter call would stand as Goodfellow was still inside the tackle box when the ball was kicked.
Unfortunately, Goodfellow was injured during the collision and was carted off the field with a lower body injury.
The Wildcats (6-3, 3-3 SEC) held a 7-3 lead at the half thanks to a Will Levis touchdown pass to Dane Key from 9-yards out on third-and-goal with 9:33 in the first quarter.
Missouri (4-5, 2-4) responded with a 44-yard field goal from the leg of Harrison Mevis after driving 49 yards on nine plays following Kentucky's score.
From that point on, neither team would score again until the latter part of the third quarter when Jordan Dingle caught a 1-yard touchdown pass from Levis with 5:47 remaining in the third, to extend the Kentucky lead to 14-3. The score was set up two plays earlier in the drive, as Levis connected with Tayvion Robinson for 18 yards on a third-and-5 play to extend the drive.
Missouri cut into the deficit to begin the fourth quarter as Brady Cook nosed into the end zone from a yard out. However, his two-point conversion pass was unsuccessful and Kentucky held a 14-9 lead with 13:09.
Cook would give the Tigers the lead on their following possession as he would run 20-yards in for Missouri's first lead of the ballgame. Tauskie Dove would be the recipient of Cook's conversion pass to make the score 17-14 with 8:07 remaining in the game.
The Wildcats would get tremendous field position thanks to a squib kickoff by Missouri that backfired on them, Kentucky started their next drive at their own 42.
Levis led the offense down the field in just six plays, connecting with Key again on a third-and-11 play for a 22-yard score that would give Kentucky the lead and set the stage for the special teams play in the dwindling moments of the game.
The Wildcats were led offensively by running back Christopher Rodriguez Jr., who finished the game with 112 yards on 29 carries.
Kentucky will be back at home next Saturday hosting Vanderbilt.
Kentucky 7 0 7 7 = 21
Missouri 3 0 0 14 = 17
First Quarter
UK—Dane Key 9 pass from Will Levis (Matt Ruffolo kick), 9:33. MIZ—Harrison Mevis 44 field goal, 5:17.
Third Quarter UK—Jordan Dingle 1 pass from Will Levis (Matt Ruffolo kick), 5:47.
Fourth Quarter MIZ—Brady Cook 1 run (Pass failed), 13:09.
MIZ—Brady Cook 20 run (Brady Cook pass to Tauskie Dove), 8:07. UK—Dane Key 22 pass from Will Levis (Matt Ruffolo kick), 5:18.
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