LEXINGTON — Ugly wins are a lot better than pretty losses.
Despite trailing for most of the first 35 minutes of the game, the Kentucky Wildcats managed to rally in the second half and turn away the upset-minded Eastern Kentucky Colonels for a 28-17 win on Saturday at Kroger Field.
Quarterback Devin Leary threw a career high-tying four touchdown passes, including two to Tayvion Robinson. Leary went 24 of 38 through the air for 299 yards and the four scores with an interception. Robinson lead all Wildcat receivers with six catches for 136 yards and two scores.
Things looked ugly in the first half for the WIldcats, as they gave up a blocked punt, a turnover-on-downs to end an 11-play drive and a tied game at halftime.
And things looked even uglier on EKU's first possession of the second half, as the Colonels wasted little time getting into the UK red zone.
The Colonels manage to get to the Kentucky 10 before the defense held and forced a 21-yard field goal attempt. Patrick Nations would convert the 21-yard try and give the Colonels a 10-7 lead with 9:41 left in the third quarter.
Kentucky (2-0) would answer with a scoring drive of its own, that included key back-to-back plays during the possession.
The first play would come on a third-and-10 play, as Leary would hit Robinson for a 25-yard gain to move the Wildcats to the EKU 35. Then on the next play, Barion Brown would take a reverse 26-yards to the 9-yard line.
Then, on third and goal, Leary would find Robinson for the duo’s second touchdown of the game. Alex Raynor would add the PAT and give Kentucky the lead for the first time, 14-10, with 5:47 left in the third.
The defense would force a Colonel punt on the ensuing possession, giving the Kentucky offense the ball at its own 15 yard line with 3:47 to play in the third period.
The Wildcats would again turn to Robinson, this time on a reverse, that the senior took 56 yards deep into EKU territory. Then two plays later, Leary would hit Brown in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown. Raynor added another PAT and Kentucky led 21-10 with 1:47 to play in the third period.
Eastern Kentucky would respond with a score to begin the fourth quarter, as Parker McKinney hit Braedon Sloan from nine-yards out to cut the lead to 21-17.
But the Wildcats would put away the Colonels on their next possession with a six-play, 65-yard drive that ended with Leary throwing his fourth touchdown pass of the day. This time a 24-yard wheel route to Ray Davis. After Raynor added the extra point, Kentucky led 28-17 with 8:08 to play.
Brown finished his big day with 152 yards of all purpose offense and a score. Davis led all Wildcat rushers with 52 yards rushing on 12 carries. Davis also caught a touchdown pass from Leary.
Andru Phillips and Trevin Wallace led the Kentucky defense with seven tackles each, while Jordan Lovett, D’Eryk Jackson and Deone Walker each had five stops.
Kentucky will be at home again next Saturday, facing Akron at Kroger Field. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET and the game can be seen on ESPN2.
E. Kentucky 7 0 3 7 = 17
Kentucky 0 7 14 7 = 28
First Quarter
EKU — Parker McKinney 14 run (Patrick Nations kick), 7:16.
Second Quarter
UK — Tayvion Robinson 24 pass from Devin Leary (Alex Raynor kick), 0:42.
Third Quarter
EKU — Patrick Nations 21 field goal, 9:41.
UK — Tayvion Robinson 6 pass from Devin Leary (Alex Raynor kick), 5:47.
UK — Barion Brown 13 pass from Devin Leary (Alex Raynor kick), 1:47.
Fourth Quarter
EKU — Braedon Sloan 9 pass from Parker McKinney (Patrick Nations kick), 12:04.
UK — Ray Davis 24 pass from Devin Leary (Alex Raynor kick), 8:08.
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