Texas Wins Thriller Over Kentucky in Overtime, 16-13
LEXINGTON, KY – A game-winning 43-yard field goal by Mason Shipley in overtime secured a hard-fought 16-13 victory for the Texas Longhorns over the Kentucky Wildcats Saturday night. The win came despite a challenging offensive performance, especially from quarterback Arch Manning, and marked a notable result for Texas in a night where half of the SEC lost.
the Longhorns (5-1) overcame a sluggish first half,where they were limited to just 93 total yards by a stout Kentucky defense. Texas’s lone first-half score came on a special teams play – a 45-yard punt return by DJ Campbell, recovered in the end zone for a touchdown with 6:22 remaining in the second quarter.
Kentucky (4-2) took a 10-3 lead in the fourth quarter before being tied by a 16-yard run from Wildcats quarterback Cutter Boley with 12:04 left in regulation. Boley finished the night with 258 passing yards and 27 rushing yards, leading Kentucky’s offense to 395 total yards - more than double Texas’s output.
Ryan Niblett proved crucial for Texas’s special teams, delivering a 43-yard punt return in the fourth quarter that set up a late field goal by Shipley, who also connected on a 53-yarder in the third quarter.
“What a win,” said Texas coach Steve Sarkisian.”I’ve said this all along. You go on the road at night in the SEC this league is tough. it’s hard, and for us to find a way to win this game tonight.”
Texas improved to 3-0 all-time against Kentucky, marking their first visit to Lexington in programme history and first appearance in the Bluegrass State since a 1993 loss to Louisville. The Longhorns have now won five of their last six games after a season-opening loss to Ohio State.
Texas will next travel to Mississippi State on Saturday. Kentucky will host Tennessee.
