Kentucky Wildcats vs. Texas Longhorns Match Series Analysis: 2024 College Football Season

The Kentucky Wildcats and Texas Longhorns met once during the 2024 college football regular season, producing a lopsided defensive showcase that emphasized Texas’ rushing prowess and Kentucky’s offensive struggles. This article provides a detailed examination of the matchup, including player statistics, game recap, and head-to-head context, based on verified data from ESPN, TexasLonghorns.com, SECSports.com, and NCAA.com. The game took place on November 23, 2024, as the only contest in the series. We break down key performances, critical plays, and team narratives with precise, sourced information.

Game Highlights

• Sport: Football
• League: NCAA Division I FBS (Southeastern Conference)
• Matchup: UK Football vs Texas Longhorns Football Match Player Stats
• Game Covered:
  • Game 1: November 23, 2024
• Series Result: Texas won the season series 1–0

Series Overview: Kentucky Wildcats vs. Texas Longhorns, 2024 College Football Season

The Kentucky Wildcats and Texas Longhorns faced off once in the 2024 season, with No. 3 Texas earning a 31-14 victory on November 23 at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas, before a crowd of 102,811. The game featured Texas’ season-high 251 rushing yards against Kentucky’s stout but overwhelmed defense, while the Wildcats managed just 21 rushing yards and committed two turnovers. Texas controlled possession (34:30 to 25:30) and outgained Kentucky 441-232 in total yards. Quick results summary:

• Game 1 (November 23, 2024): Texas Longhorns 31, Kentucky Wildcats 14

Texas took the series 1-0, converting 6-of-14 third downs (42.9%) to Kentucky’s 2-of-12 (16.7%).

Game 1: Texas Longhorns 31, Kentucky Wildcats 14 (November 23, 2024)

Game Summary

No. 3 Texas dominated Kentucky 31-14 on November 23, 2024, in Austin, Texas, securing a playoff berth with a balanced offensive display and opportunistic defense. The Longhorns built a 24-7 halftime lead behind two passing touchdowns and a rushing score, then pulled away in the fourth with a 15-play, 86-yard rushing drive. Kentucky, starting Brock Vandagriff, switched to backup Cutter Boley in the third quarter after a fumble, sparking a brief rally but ultimately held to 232 total yards—well below their season average—and just 21 rushing yards. Texas’ defense, ranked No. 4 nationally in scoring defense pre-game (15.3 PPG allowed), forced two turnovers, including one returned for a touchdown.

Key Player Stats: Texas Longhorns

• Quinn Ewers (QB): 20-for-31 passing (64.5%), 191 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT, 3 carries for 9 yards, 1 rush TD (1-yard run, 4Q), 1 fumble lost, 3 sacks (-24 yards), 38 minutes. Ewers’ first-half touchdowns—a 10-yard pass to Gunnar Helm (1Q, 8:45) and a 45-yard strike to Matthew Golden (2Q, 9:15)—accounted for 14 points; his rushing score capped the scoring.
• Quintrevion Wisner (RB): 26 carries for 158 yards (6.1 avg), 2 TD (3-yard run, 2Q, 2:45; 1-yard run, 4Q, 8:22), 0 fumbles, 0 receptions, 38 minutes. Wisner’s second touchdown highlighted a clock-chewing, all-rush drive that consumed 8:22 and sealed the win.
• Jaydon Blue (RB): 15 carries for 93 yards (6.2 avg), 1 TD (17-yard run, 2Q, 9:15), 0 fumbles, 0 receptions, 28 minutes. Blue’s score extended the lead to 24-7 at halftime after a 75-yard drive.
• Gunnar Helm (TE): 5 receptions for 65 yards (13.0 avg), 1 TD (10-yard reception, 1Q, 8:45), 0 carries, 32 minutes. Helm’s score opened the scoring on a third-and-7 conversion.
• Matthew Golden (WR): 7 receptions for 86 yards (12.3 avg), 1 TD (45-yard reception, 2Q, 9:15), 0 carries, 26 minutes. Golden’s long touchdown showcased Ewers’ deep ball accuracy.
• Jelani McDonald (DB): 1 INT (1Q, 3:20), 5 tackles (3 solo), 0.5 sacks, 0 fumbles forced/recovered, 45 minutes. McDonald’s first career interception set up an early field goal.
• Andrew Mukuba (DB): 1 INT (4Q, 0:45), 4 tackles (2 solo), 0 sacks, 0 fumbles, 42 minutes. Mukuba’s late pickoff ended Kentucky’s final drive.

Inactives: No major inactives reported; Arch Manning (QB) was the backup to Ewers and did not play.

Team Stats: 441 total yards (251 rushing, 190 passing), 28 first downs, 6/14 third downs (42.9%), 2/3 fourth downs (66.7%), 5 penalties for 40 yards, 2 turnovers forced (1 INT, 1 fumble recovered for TD), 34:30 time of possession, 14 points allowed. The rushing attack (251 yards, season high) powered the offense.

Key Player Stats: Kentucky Wildcats

• Cutter Boley (QB): 10-for-18 passing (55.6%), 160 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT, 4 carries for 12 yards, 0 fumbles, 2 sacks (-15 yards), entered 3Q (7:30), 28 minutes. Boley’s relief effort included a 53-yard completion to Willie Rodriguez, setting up Kentucky’s lone offensive TD, but his interception halted a drive.
• Brock Vandagriff (QB): 5-for-10 passing (50.0%), 45 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT, 3 carries for 3 yards, 1 fumble lost (3Q, 7:30), 1 sack (-8 yards), started, exited 3Q, 22 minutes. Vandagriff’s fumble was returned 25 yards for a Texas touchdown, widening the gap to 24-7.
• Jamarion Wilcox (RB): 12 carries for 50 yards (4.2 avg), 0 TD, 0 fumbles, 1 reception for 5 yards, 25 minutes. Wilcox led Kentucky’s ground game, accounting for most of the team’s 21 rushing yards.
• Willie Rodriguez (WR): 4 receptions for 53 yards (13.3 avg), 0 TD, 0 carries, 30 minutes. Rodriguez’s 53-yard catch from Boley fueled a 75-yard scoring drive in the fourth.
• Josh Kattus (TE): 2 receptions for 12 yards (6.0 avg), 1 TD (1-yard reception, 4Q, 4:15), 0 carries, 20 minutes. Kattus’ short score trimmed the deficit to 24-14 after a 75-yard march.
• Jamon Dumas-Johnson (LB): 8 tackles (5 solo), 1 fumble recovery TD (25-yard return, 3Q, 7:30), 1 sack, 0 INT, 45 minutes. Dumas-Johnson’s return provided Kentucky’s other touchdown, responding to Vandagriff’s fumble.

Inactives: Deone Walker (DT, knee injury).

Team Stats: 232 total yards (21 rushing, 211 passing), 14 first downs, 2/12 third downs (16.7%), 2/3 fourth downs (66.7%), 6 penalties for 36 yards, 2 turnovers (1 INT, 1 fumble lost returned for TD), 25:30 time of possession, 31 points allowed. The offense faltered after the quarterback change, with poor third-down efficiency.

Critical Moments

• First Quarter (TEX 10, UK 0): Ewers’ 10-yard TD pass to Helm (8:45) on third-and-7 gave Texas a 7-0 lead after a 65-yard drive. Kentucky reached the Texas 1 but missed a field goal (3:20) following a 15-yard penalty, keeping it 10-0.

• Second Quarter (TEX 24, UK 7): Blue’s 17-yard TD run (9:15) capped a 75-yard drive for 24-0. Kentucky answered with Kattus’ 1-yard TD reception from Vandagriff (2:45), trailing 24-7 at halftime.

• Third Quarter (TEX 24, UK 14): Vandagriff’s fumble (7:30) was returned 25 yards for a TD by Dumas-Johnson, making it 24-14. Texas’ defense forced a three-and-out immediately after.

• Fourth Quarter (TEX 31, UK 14): Wisner’s 1-yard TD run (8:22) ended a 15-play, 86-yard all-rush drive, finalizing 31-14. Mukuba’s INT (0:45) thwarted Kentucky’s last possession.

Head-to-Head Analysis

The Texas Longhorns and Kentucky Wildcats have met twice in program history (1951 Sugar Bowl and 2024 regular season), with Texas leading 2-0. In 2024, Texas’ 1-0 win demonstrated:

• Rushing Superiority: 251 yards (season high) to Kentucky’s 21, holding possession for 34:30.
• Defensive Control: Forced 2 turnovers (1 returned for TD), limiting Kentucky to 232 yards and 2-of-12 third downs.
• Efficiency Gap: 28 first downs and 6-of-14 third downs vs. Kentucky’s 14 and 2-of-12.

Kentucky’s special teams (fumble return TD) offered a highlight, but offensive miscues proved decisive.

Series Standouts

Texas Longhorns

• Quintrevion Wisner: 158 rushing yards, 2 TD, leading a 251-yard ground game.
• Quinn Ewers: 191 passing yards, 2 TD passes, 1 rush TD, guiding a 24-7 halftime lead.
• Jelani McDonald and Andrew Mukuba: Combined for 2 INTs, contributing to Texas’ 19-game turnover-forcing streak.

Kentucky Wildcats

• Cutter Boley: 160 passing yards in relief (10-for-18), sparking a 75-yard TD drive.
• Jamarion Wilcox: 50 rushing yards on 12 carries, Kentucky’s top rusher in a 21-yard total.
• Jamon Dumas-Johnson: 25-yard fumble return TD, providing Kentucky’s other score.

Team Performance Context

Texas Longhorns (13-3 overall, 7-1 SEC)

Texas finished 13-3 overall and 7-1 in the SEC, capturing the conference title before a Peach Bowl semifinal loss in the College Football Playoff. Their defense ranked No. 4 nationally in scoring (15.3 PPG allowed pre-Kentucky game) and No. 1 in total defense entering the matchup, allowing just 283.4 yards per game overall. The win clinched a playoff spot in their SEC debut year.

Kentucky Wildcats (4-8 overall, 1-7 SEC)

Kentucky ended 4-8 overall and 1-7 in the SEC, missing a bowl for the first time since 2015 after an eight-year streak. Their offense averaged 24.1 PPG but produced just 14 here; the defense allowed 31 points, contributing to a late-season slide.

Injury and Roster Notes

• Texas Longhorns: No major injuries; Ewers started with Manning as backup (no snaps).
• Kentucky Wildcats: Deone Walker (DT, knee) inactive; Vandagriff exited in 3Q (undisclosed), Boley relieved.

Conclusion

The Texas Longhorns defeated the Kentucky Wildcats 31-14 in their sole 2024 college football matchup on November 23, fueled by Wisner’s 158 rushing yards and Ewers’ two TD passes, while Boley’s 160 relief yards couldn’t overcome Kentucky’s turnovers and 21 rushing yards. The result locked in Texas’ playoff bye and exposed Kentucky’s inconsistencies. For full box scores and recaps, consult ESPN, TexasLonghorns.com, SECSports.com, or NCAA.com.

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