The Cardiac Cats did it again Saturday night, as Kentucky Football knocked off the Oklahoma Sooners in Norman, 21-13.
Two late interceptions from John Mateer helped the defense finish this one off when points were at a premium. However, the offense found a little groove in the fourth quarter led by running back Jason Patterson.
Getting more snaps after CJ Baxter missed the game, Patterson finished with 38 yards on 12 carries and caught one pass for eight yards.
Against a stingy Sooners defense, Patterson did what he has done well all season: Create yards after contact. That helped get the offense out of the mud and threw punches right back at Brent Venables’ defense, highlighted by a 3rd-and-5 run for a first down early in the fourth quarter on Kentucky’s go-ahead scoring drive to go up 14-13.
While it was great to see Patterson make enough plays for Kentucky to get the win, there’s no doubt that this offense is better when CJ Baxter is healthy and getting significant touches. Despite being listed as questionable, UK was hopeful that the Texas transfer would suit up.
But after going through pregame warmups, Baxter was held out of the game by head coach Will Stein. After the game, Stein gave an update on Baxter, who should return this week vs. Vanderbilt.
“He actually warmed up well enough that, to the naked eye, you’d be like, ‘Wow, he’s ready to go,'” Stein told reporters after the game. “I think we just wanted to make sure he didn’t re-aggravate what he aggravated so it wouldn’t carry into next week. I feel really confident in our plan to get him up to speed for the next game.”
So long as there are no setbacks, it sounds like Baxter will be good to go this week vs. the Commodores before getting a much-needed bye week.
Winning in the SEC is tough. Winning on the road in the SEC is even tougher. The Cats are now 3-0 in SEC road games and are flirting even more with the playoff.
Enjoy it, BBN. This is awesome.
Go Cats!