United Kingdom falls to Auburn 30-27

The margin is so close the Wildcats (4-2, 2-2) have yet to lose a game this season by double digits, and the outcome of each game has been determined by less than eight points.

A key momentum swing in the first half came on the Wildcat quarterback Towles’ only interception of the night.

The Wildcats must now play three of their next four conference games on the road, a tough task for a team fighting in arguably the best league in college football while simultaneously fighting the internal doubt that the postseason and a league title is yet again unattainable.

What isn’t in play is the chance for Mark Stoops’ team to deliver a spectacular season.

Two losses by less than a touchdown against Southeastern Conference opponents the Wildcats defeat as often as John Calipari signs a 2-star recruit. If Kentucky polishes their offense and keeps from making those small mistakes, they can be a contender in the SEC. This one, the one that made Kentucky 2-2 in the SEC, should sting for a few days.

The running game showed flashes of the type of run offense that Gus Malzahn typically has, and ended the game with a total of 152 yards on 47 attempts, with power back Peyton Barber leading the way with 92 yards on 26 carries and two touchdowns, including a three-yarder on a third and one in the fourth quarter.

Kentucky managed to tie the game on its first possession thanks to speedy sophomore Boom Williams, who returned from a one-game absence to handle personal matters.

Auburn hasn’t always played like that after starting the season ranked sixth before falling out of the top 25, but the Tigers made Kentucky (4-2, 2-2) play catch-up all night and maintained its dominance at Commonwealth Stadium.

In the second half, he wasn’t so calm, thanks to a United Kingdom defensive unit that turned up the pressure. Kentucky played catch-up, all night. “We got a long season ahead of us”, Williams said.

“They were playing two safeties and a soft box, and I thought we could split them”, said Dawson, UK’s offensive coordinator, who’s probably about as popular around here today as Matt Jones would be on the campus of the University of Louisville. His overall numbers were solid. But games like this are decided by a play here and a play there. In the second quarter, Doughty threw a deep ball to Taywan Taylor for a 56-yard score and later found Taylor in the end zone for 31 yards. “Senior Photographer” / Auburn’s Kerryon Johnson (21) returns with ball after punt in the second half. Baker barely had two inches on the guy covering him.

“A lot of things were hurting me”, Louis said. “I’d give all my stats and everything away just to get the win”. Auburn has picked up wins in 16 of the last 17 meetings in this series, but Kentucky is in better shape on the field and this year’s team can pick up a big win over Auburn here tonight. Whoever plays – and it is possible both players see time under center – has to do something to get the Tigers’ passing attack on track.