Kentucky Rides Ground Game, Boley’s Growth to 48-23 Win

Kentucky took care of business Saturday night, rolling to a 48-23 victory over Eastern Michigan in front of 58,489 at Kroger Field. The win pushed the Wildcats to 2–1 on the year and gave head coach Mark Stoops his 69th career win — extending his program records for both overall and home victories.

It didn’t take long for the Cats to seize control. Linebacker Daveren Rayner intercepted Eastern Michigan quarterback Noah Kim on the first play from scrimmage, setting up Seth McGowan’s four-yard touchdown run just 39 seconds into the game. McGowan wasn’t done, adding two more rushing scores before halftime on his way to a 104-yard, three-touchdown night. He became the first Wildcat since Derrick Locke in 2010 to open a season with at least 75 yards and a rushing score in three straight games.

Freshman quarterback Cutter Boley delivered his most complete performance yet in his second career start. He finished 12-of-21 for 240 yards and two touchdowns — both to tight ends. Willie Rodriguez hauled in a three-yard score early in the second quarter, while Josh Kattus added a four-yard TD later in the frame. “I thought he did a very good job of managing the game,” Stoops said. “There’s no replacing game reps, and he looked much more comfortable tonight.”

Eastern Michigan did land some counterpunches. Kim connected with Terry Lockett for a 64-yard touchdown late in the first half, part of a 330-yard passing effort. The Eagles also tacked on a 50-yard field goal just before the break to pull within 28–16. But Kentucky’s defense regrouped after halftime, holding EMU scoreless in the third quarter and forcing three fourth-down stops on the night.

The Wildcats piled up 492 yards of offense with remarkable balance — 252 on the ground and 240 through the air. Jason Patterson closed the scoring with a six-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, his first career trip to the end zone. In total, Kentucky rushed for four scores and had six plays of 20-plus yards through the air.

Special teams also played their part. Kicker Jacob Kauwe drilled both of his field goal attempts, including a career-long 51-yarder in the third quarter, and went a perfect 6-for-6 on PATs.

Stoops praised his offensive line’s continued growth, noting the group has helped UK rush for 644 yards through three games — the program’s best start on the ground since 2018. “I like that group,” Stoops said. “They care, they fight, and they’re bringing the young guys along.”

The win capped a Hall of Fame Weekend at Kentucky, highlighted by the induction of Josh Allen, Abbey Cheek-Ramsey, Makayla Epps, Doug Flynn, Sonia Hahn, and Karl-Anthony Towns.

Kentucky now enters its bye week before opening SEC play on the road at South Carolina on Sept. 27.