Kentucky Upsets No. 6 Mississippi in Gritty SEC Battle

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Kentucky Upsets No. 6 Mississippi in Gritty SEC Battle \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Kentucky pulled off a stunning 20-17 upset against No. 6 Mississippi, marking the Wildcats’ highest-ranked win under Coach Mark Stoops. A missed field goal by Ole Miss sealed Kentucky’s victory in a hard-fought, defensive battle. Stoops praised his team for their determination and executing under pressure in a game defined by turnovers and crucial plays.

Kentucky’s Gritty Victory Over Ole Miss: Quick Looks

Historic Upset: Kentucky defeated No. 6 Ole Miss 20-17, earning Coach Mark Stoops his biggest win yet, thanks to a missed field goal by Ole Miss kicker Caden Davis with 48 seconds left.
Gritty Game: Stoops described the game as “dirty, ugly, and hard-fought,” perfectly suited to Kentucky’s style, which ultimately led to their success against a tough opponent.
Turnover and Fumble Luck: Backup quarterback Gavin Wimsatt fumbled near the goal line, but the ball bounced right to tight end Josh Kattus, who secured the touchdown, giving Kentucky a late lead.
Key Playmakers: Quarterback Brock Vandagriff threw for 243 yards and a key 63-yard completion on fourth-and-7, while Dane Key led with eight catches for 105 yards and a touchdown.
Defense Dominates: Kentucky’s defense limited Ole Miss to season lows, including holding them to 353 total yards, four sacks, and just 1-of-10 on third downs.
Ole Miss Struggles: Mississippi, a double-digit favorite, had a seven-game winning streak snapped and only found the end zone once after the opening drive, struggling against Kentucky’s stifling defense.
Takeaways for Kentucky: Winning the turnover battle, converting on key fourth downs, and excelling in the red zone helped the Wildcats secure their biggest road victory since 1977.
Mississippi’s Challenge Ahead: Ole Miss faces a tough October schedule, needing a strong response to bounce back, including matchups against Oklahoma and No. 2 Georgia.

Deep Look:

Kentucky has a habit of pulling highly ranked opponents into tough, grinding games—and this time, they managed to seal the deal. In a thrilling upset, the Wildcats defeated No. 6 Mississippi 20-17 on Saturday, handing Coach Mark Stoops his most significant win in his 12-year career at Kentucky. The victory came after Ole Miss kicker Caden Davis hooked a 48-yard field-goal attempt wide with just 48 seconds remaining, securing the Wildcats’ triumph in this Southeastern Conference clash.

A Hard-Fought, Ugly Game

“It was our kind of game. A dirty, ugly, hard-fought game,” Stoops said. “We went out and did what we had to do. We played our way. I know it’s only one game, but it was a very important game for us. Obviously, I could not be more proud of this team.” The Rebels, who had entered the game as a double-digit favorite and carried a seven-game winning streak, found themselves shocked as Kentucky’s defense clamped down, refusing to let the high-powered Mississippi offense find its rhythm.

The Wildcats (3-2, 1-2 SEC) showed resilience, leaning into their gritty brand of football. They overcame adversity and capitalized on key moments, particularly during their go-ahead drive in the fourth quarter. Kentucky’s decisive touchdown came with a stroke of luck—backup quarterback Gavin Wimsatt was on a keeper play when an Ole Miss defender knocked the ball loose. But the loose ball bounced perfectly to tight end Josh Kattus, who fell into the end zone, scoring a crucial touchdown to put Kentucky ahead 20-17 with just over two minutes left.

Bold Decisions Pay Off

Coach Stoops, who had faced criticism just two weeks earlier for not being aggressive enough on fourth down during a narrow 13-12 loss to then-No. 1 Georgia, made a different call this time. During the Wildcats’ critical fourth-quarter drive, quarterback Brock Vandagriff threw a 63-yard bomb to Barion Brown on a fourth-and-7 from their own 20-yard line, breathing new life into the offense. The gamble paid off, setting up the game-winning touchdown.

Vandagriff, who passed for 243 yards and a touchdown, was instrumental in keeping Mississippi’s defense on their heels, helping the Wildcats control the clock and limit Ole Miss’s opportunities. The Wildcats held the ball for nearly 40 minutes, effectively neutralizing the Rebels’ potent attack.

Defensive Dominance

The Kentucky defense put on a show, holding Ole Miss (4-0, 0-1 SEC) to season lows across nearly every statistical category. Mississippi, which had averaged 55 points against weaker non-conference opponents, found it tough going against the Wildcats, managing just one touchdown after their opening drive. Kentucky’s defense recorded seven tackles for loss, four sacks, and held the Rebels to a paltry 1-of-10 on third-down conversions.

“Our coaches have preached consistency, and we really had a lot of confidence coming into this game,” said Octavious Oxendine, who contributed two of Kentucky’s four sacks.

On the Rebels’ final drive, quarterback Jaxson Dart managed to convert a crucial fourth-and-11 with a 42-yard pass to Caden Prieskorn, setting up a potential game-tying field goal. However, the drive quickly went backward when Dart took a costly sack, ultimately leading to Davis’ missed kick on fourth-and-7.

Dart finished the game with 261 passing yards, and receiver Tre Harris led with 11 receptions for 176 yards, including a 48-yard touchdown. Yet, even with these impressive stats, the Rebels couldn’t overcome Kentucky’s smothering defense and untimely errors.

Biggest Road Win Since 1977

For Kentucky, this victory was monumental. It was their first road win against such a highly ranked opponent since 1977, when they defeated No. 4 Penn State. “On the critical downs, we made the critical plays,” Stoops said. “We were not sloppy, we got a turnover, and we’ve gotten better every week.”

The Wildcats excelled in all the crucial areas, winning the turnover battle 1-0, converting all three red-zone attempts, and going 3-for-3 on fourth-down conversions. These small victories within the game added up to the ultimate outcome, demonstrating that Kentucky is a team capable of competing at the highest level when everything comes together.

Ole Miss Struggles in SEC Opener

Mississippi’s hopes for a stellar season took an unexpected hit with this loss. The Rebels came into the year with high expectations, largely due to their success in the transfer portal and the firepower they brought to the field. Now, they face a challenging October schedule, with three road games and home dates against No. 21 Oklahoma and No. 2 Georgia.

Mississippi coach Lane Kiffin didn’t hide his frustration after the game. “Beyond disappointing. It’s a disappointing day,” Kiffin said. “The game comes down at the end with us having a chance to win in every phase, and we didn’t do it. Got to give credit to Stoops.”

Looking Ahead

For Kentucky, this win is a significant morale booster. Stoops and his squad have a bye next week, giving them time to regroup and prepare for the remainder of their SEC schedule. As they savor this victory, they also understand the importance of building on it.

Mississippi, on the other hand, must bounce back quickly. Their next challenge is a road game against South Carolina, a critical matchup as the Rebels aim to regain their footing in the SEC and keep their season on track.

Big Play Defense Leads the Way

Kentucky’s defense was the backbone of their success. Allowing only 353 total yards and forcing key stops, they prevented Ole Miss from gaining any real momentum. The Wildcats managed to contain a Rebels team that had scored at will against previous opponents, limiting explosive plays and ensuring that each yard gained was hard-earned.

“Our defense set the tone,” Stoops emphasized after the game. “They were tough, they were disciplined, and they got stops when we needed them most.”

Poll Implications

The defeat will likely drop Ole Miss significantly in the rankings. Currently, the highest-ranked team with one loss is Michigan at No. 12, with several other one-loss teams populating the Top 25. After this loss, the Rebels will likely find themselves somewhere in that mix, with an uphill climb to regain their standing.

For Kentucky, this victory serves as a reminder of the team’s potential, especially when executing Stoops’ game plan effectively. If they can maintain this level of play, the Wildcats could become a formidable force in the SEC moving forward.