Kentucky at Ole Miss – UK Athletics

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After beating Ohio 41-6 last week, Kentucky goes on the road for the first time this season and visits fifth-ranked Ole Miss at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss.

Kentucky scored two touchdown runs from Demie Sumo-Karngbaye in the win over Ohio. Wide receiver Dane Key caught seven passes for 145 yards, which was a career high. With the win, the Cats evened their season record at 2-2.

Ole Miss has won all four games and leads the nation in both offensive rating (55 ppg) and defense (5.0 ppg). Lane Kiffin’s Rebels also lead the nation in total offense, averaging 670.8 yards per game.

Cat Scratch: Cat defense must be focused and executed to slow rebels

Kentucky defensive coordinator Brad White knows he and his unit have a tough challenge ahead of them this weekend. The Cats face fifth-ranked Ole Miss, and the Rebels’ offense has been strong through four games, to say the least.

Ole Miss averages 55 points and 670 yards per game. They lead the nation in both categories. White knows the Cats will need to maintain their solid play from recent games as they face Ole Miss.

“It’s just another challenge, it’s another week. We’ll have a lot of them throughout the year,” White said. “The goal is focus, execution, throughout the exercise, in the meeting rooms, taking it out, unwavering commitment and pushing forward series after series. We did that against Georgia, and I think we executed that well against Ohio last week. We must continue to do that. I think the boys understand the challenge. If it’s 670 yards per game, 55 points, 420 through the air, 250 on the ground. They’ve got weapons everywhere, they’ve got a great offensive line, a quarterback that’s playing at a really, really elite level. We know we have to do our best.”

This will also be Kentucky’s first road game of the year and will feature an early kickoff. These are both things the Cats need to consider as they prepare… Read more

Kentucky vs. Ole Miss

The series
• Kentucky trails Ole Miss 30-14-1 in the series, including 9-2 at Oxford.
• Each of the last three meetings – 2017, 2020, 2022 – was a thriller decided by a total of 10 points.
• The Wildcats lost 22-19 to the Rebels in the last game between the two teams in 2022, also in Oxford.
• The Wildcats haven’t won at Oxford since a 24-17 triumph in 1978.

The ties
• Kentucky’s roster has a player from Magnolia State in defensive lineman Josaih Hayes (Horn Lake).
• Ole Miss’ roster includes one player from the Bluegrass State: Louisville transfer receiver Jordan Watkins (Louisville).

Through the numbers

2
Times Kentucky beat Ole Miss at Oxford in 11 tries (1949 and 1978)

6
Career interceptions for Maxwell Hairston, the most of any current British player

11
Since 2020, the Cats have returned interceptions for touchdowns, which was the most in the FBS during that span

17
Tackles for Zion Childress in three games, most on team

1,419
Career receiving yards for Dane Key, which ranks 15th in UK history. Key needs 89 yards to break into the top 10 on this list.