This weekend, the Texas football team will check an item off its SEC bucket list. Ranked 21st by the media and 17th by the coaches, Texas (4-2, 1-1) continues its lengthy stay away from Royal-Memorial Stadium during Saturday’s trip to play Kentucky (2-3, 0-3).
Texas has never before played a football game at Kentucky.
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Here are five things to know about the Wildcats:
Kentucky Wildcats defensive back JQ Hardaway (6) tackles Texas Longhorns running back Quintrevion Wisner (26) in the fourth quarter of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Nov. 23, 2024.
Sara Diggins/American-Statesman
1. As expected, Kentucky is struggling to win SEC games
Texas got all of its nonconference games out of the way during the first month of its season, but that was not the case with Kentucky. The Wildcats have played more conference games (three) than nonconference games (two), and that scheduling quirk is reflected in the team’s losing record.
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More: Third-down turnaround helps Longhorns save season against Oklahoma
Picked to finish 15th in the SEC’s preseason poll for its 16-team league, Kentucky has lost to Ole Miss, South Carolina and Georgia. The Wildcats have been outscored by a 100-50 margin in their conference contests.
2. Seth McGowan has had a good debut at Kentucky
Kentucky has gotten solid play this season from running back Seth McGowan, who is in his first year with the Wildcats after spending three years with New Mexico State, Butler Community College and Oklahoma. McGowan is averaging 5.5 yards per rush this season, and he has rushed for seven touchdowns. Those seven scores have been exceeded by just 16 FBS-level players.
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But will McGowan play Saturday? McGowan left Kentucky’s game against Georgia on Oct. 4 with what was reported to be a leg injury. The Wildcats were on a bye last week so head coach Mark Stoops did not have to update his SEC availability report.
3. Punting is not a problem for Kentucky, Aidan Laros
Ahead of this season, Kentucky punter Aidan Laros was the only Wildcat to earn a spot on both of the All-SEC preseason honor rolls. He was a third-team honoree on the coaches and media’s squads.
Through five games, Laros has gotten some work in. The senior has punted 21 times and he is averaging 46.3 yards per punt with 11 punts pinned inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. Among qualified punters in the SEC, Laros ranks fourth in punting (UT’s Jack Bouwmeester ranks third at 46.9 yards).
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As a team, Kentucky has the SEC’s third-best punt return defense. Kentucky is allowing an average of 5.0 yards per punt return.
Texas Longhorns linebacker Colin Simmons (11) tries to sack Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Cutter Boley (8) in the fourth quarter during the second half of an NCAA college football game at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, Texas, Saturday, Nov 24, 2024.
Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman
4. Kentucky set to return home for first time in 35 days
MORE: How a new approach vs Oklahoma changed everything for Longhorns QB Arch Manning
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Texas is in the midst of a 42-game stretch without an appearance at DKR, and Kentucky can empathize with that home hiatus. Thanks to two byes and two road games, Kentucky last played a home game on Sept. 13, a 48-23 win over Eastern Michigan. The Wildcats are 2-1 at Kroger Field this season and the team’s closest call in conference play was a 30-23 loss to then-No. 20 Ole Miss at home on Sept. 6.
5. How often has Texas played Kentucky?
Texas and Kentucky have met twice on a football field, and both of those games were played in Austin. Last year, UT’s march to the SEC championship game included a 31-14 win over the Wildcats.
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