It was an ugly offensive performance by both teams, with 15 combined punts. Texas A&M entered the game six point favorites (according to Vegas) over 13th ranked Kentucky. Both teams struggled to move the ball downfield. In fact, Kentucky did not run an offensive play in Aggie territory until overtime.
The scoring opened up late in the first quarter with sophomore receiver Lynn Bowden Jr. taking a shovel pass from QB Terry Wilson for a 54 yard touchdown. The Aggie offense was held to a lull until late in the first half when quarterback Kellen Mond found WR Quartney Davis for a 3 yard TD to even the score at 7 heading into the break. After not scoring in the third quarter, Kellen Mond found his top tight end, Jake Sternberger, early in the fourth quarter to take a 14-7 lead. After many thought it was over, Mond made a crucial mistake, coughing up the ball and returned for a 40 yard TD by Darius West to tie the game with 4 minutes left. This 14 all score carried into the overtime period. In OT, Kentucky failed to score after the 40 yard field goal attempt by Miles Butler failed to make it to the uprights. Texas A&M capped the game off with a Trayveon Williams 10 yard rush touchdown.
The Kentucky defense played very well, holding a solid offense to just a pair of touchdowns in regulation. Senior safety Darius West lead the Wildcats with 10 total tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown. The offense, on the other hand, did not play well at all. Quarterback Terry Wilson threw for 108 yards and a touchdown. Probable Heisman candidate Benny Snell Jr, was shut down by the Aggie defense, only rushing for 60 yards on just 13 carries. The main concern for Snell was the low 13 rush attempts, including a key third-and-two play in overtime where Kentucky elected to pass instead of give the ball to Snell. This lead to the missed field goal that put Kentucky in the loss column for the first time in 2018.
Texas A&M was shaky on offense, but like Kentucky, their defense was outstanding. Texas A&M held Kentucky to 178 yards tonight. It’s only the second time the Aggies have held an SEC opponent under 200 yards since joining the conference, (ESPN). Senior DB Donovan Wilson lead the Aggies with 12 tackles. The front seven held one of the top running backs in the country well in check. Kellen Mond struggled but had good moments. Trayveon Williams won the running back duel today with 138 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries. Williams ran the game-winning touchdown in to give the Aggies the win to improve to 4-2, their first SEC home win under coach Jimbo Fisher.
Kentucky looks to regroup on their bye week.
Texas A&M travels to South Carolina on Saturday.
Source: https://www.si.com/college-football/2018/10/06/kentucky-texas-am-sec-east-benny-snell
