preview
After nearly beating top-ranked Georgia last week, Kentucky returns to action Saturday, hosting Ohio University at Kroger Field. Kickoff is set for 12:45 p.m. ET and the game can be watched on the SEC Network.
Kentucky is 1-2 this season. The Cats opened with a 31-0 win over Southern Miss, but have since lost to Southeastern Conference rivals South Carolina and Georgia. Ohio University is 2-1 this year after losing to Syracuse in the season opener and then beating South Alabama and Morgan State.
Cat Scratches: Sumo-Karngbaye blossoms in leading role
Kentucky offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan has repeatedly stressed that he wants his offense to be able to run the ball. And through three games, the Cats have proven they have an effective ground attack. After Tuesday’s practice, Hamdan again stressed how important it is for UK to have fun playing football.
“I think that’s key,” Hamdan said. “With this offense, it always starts with being able to run the ball. Sometimes the defenders have played pretty weak at the back and not allowed us to spread the field that much. That running game was impressive.”
In just over a half against Southern Miss, UK rushed for 148 yards and a touchdown. Against South Carolina, Kentucky rushed for 139 yards. And last week, against then-top-ranked Georgia, the Cats rushed for 170 yards.
Perhaps the biggest surprise through three games is the emergence of Demie Sumo-Karngbaye at running back. With Chip Trayanum, who transferred from Ohio State, injured, Sumo-Karngbaye has taken over as UK’s primary running back. Against Southern Miss, he rushed for 59 yards on just eight carries, followed by a 70-yard performance against South Carolina. Last week, Sumo-Karngbaye rushed for a career-high 98 yards against Georgia. Hamdan was impressed with Sumo-Karngbaye’s performance…Read more
Kentucky vs. Ohio
The series
• Kentucky leads the series against Ohio 4-2.
• All games were played in Lexington.
• Great Britain has failed to win in two of the six meetings (1910, 1987).
• The Wildcats and Bobcats last met in 2014, with the Cats winning 20-3.
• Interesting fact: In 2004, Kentucky wore special throwback uniforms against the Bobcats, which were later auctioned off.
The ties
• Kentucky’s roster includes 15 players from the state of Ohio.
• Ohio’s roster includes two players from the state of Kentucky.
• DB JT Haskins (Lexington)
• OL Jordan Jones (Ashland)
In numbers
2
Number of games where Kentucky has eliminated Ohio in six meetings (1910, 1987)
4
Career kickoff returns for touchdowns by Barion Brown, which is a school record
17
Two straight regular season wins for Kentucky against non-conference opponents
20
The British defense has lost many tackles in three games, ranking 20th in the country.
98
Rushing yards for Demie Sumo-Karngbaye last week against Georgia, career high
