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Tyrell Ailen’s 95- yard pick six gives the CATS a win.
September 18th, 2021, Kroger Field, Lexington, KY
David Leveridge- Sports View America.
Entering today’s contest against the Chattanooga Mocs, Kentucky Football was continuing the three- game home stretch to open the season. Today’s game against Chattanooga wasn’t pretty and the CATS performance may have disappointed some fans, but a win is a win. Kentucky didn’t play their best game and the game was much closer than most thought it would be. Quarterback Will Levis who was impressive in his first two starts, threw two costly interceptions leading to Mocs field goals, and kept the game much closer than it should have been. At one point during the 4th quarter Chattanooga had a two- point lead, and if not for the 95-yard interception for a pick 6 by strong safety #23 Tyrell Aijan in the fourth quarter the games out come could have very well been different. Kentucky escaped Kroger Field with a hard fought 28-23 victory over the Chattanooga Mocs, improving to three and 0 on the season. The Next paragraphs are a recap of today’s action.
First Quarter- Kentucky opened the scoring in the first quarter with a Josh Ali eleven-yard rushing touchdown and converted a successful PAT and led 7-0, with 10:43 remaining in the first quarter. Chattanooga responded soon after with a twelve-yard pass from QB Cole Copeland to Wide Receiver Aaron Sears and tied the game @ seven with 6: 56 remaining in the quarter. The drive would be the last scoring drive of the quarter, and the game entered the second quarter tied @ seven.
Second Quarter- Kentucky’s opening drive of the quarter saw Kentucky’s offense score with a Levis Passing Touchdown to Isiah Epps on a twenty-yard passing play. Kentucky once again converted the PAT and took a 14-7 lead with 13:56 remaining in the second quarter. Kentucky then forced Chattanooga to a three and out, and quickly regained possession of the ball. Kentucky and Levis were unable to continue the momentum form the previous offensive drive, as Levis threw an interception defensive back Jerrell Lawson, who nearly returned the ball for a pick six. Chattanooga was unable to move the chains and resulted in a twenty-seven-yard field goal by Austin Sears. Kentucky led 14-10. Over the next few offensive possessions Kentucky struggled to move the ball and often went three and out. Levis who looked sharp in the first two games struggled to connect with his receivers and Kentucky couldn’t move the chains. The score at intermission would remain Kentucky 14- Chattanooga 10.
Third Quarter: Chattanooga received the ball to open the second half, and was able to capitalize with a field goal, scoring on a ten yard forty- three- yard drive by kicker Aaron Sears. Chattanooga cut the lead to one point only trailing Kentucky 14-13. Offensively Kentucky struggled to move the chains. Kentucky’s defense was able to contain the Mocs offense and forced the team into several three and outs. The third quarter ended with Kentucky leading Chattanooga 14-13.
Fourth Quarter- A costly interception by Levis led to a scoring possession by Chattanooga. Levis threw the ball down field to his favorite target Wan ’Dale Robinson, only to be picked off by corner back Jordan Jones. With the interception the Mocs had the ball in great field position and was able to capitalize with another field goal by Aaron Sears. Chattanooga led 16-14 with 13:27 remaining in the game, Chattooga’s first and only lead of the game. Kentucky’s Offense responded by marching the ball down the field, picking up several first downs. Kentucky Running Back Chirs Rodriguez started to get in between the tackles and had room to run. Levis was able to shake his poor performance and began, to look like the QB we saw in the impressive week one victory. Kentucky regained the lead with a Levis passing touchdown with a thirty-one-yard passing touchdown to WR#81 Isiah Cummings. The drive was a seven play, seventy-seven-yard possession. With the game still very much undecided, Chattanooga marched the ball down the field and was close to regaining the lead.
Play of the game 4th Quarter-. Kentucky Strong Safety #23 Tyrell Ailen made the play of the day, first intercepting the ball at the five-yard line and rushed up the sideline for a ninety-five-yard pick six. Fans were ecstatic and for the first time all game Kentucky had a little breathing room and now led Chattanooga 28-16 with only 7:40 remaining in the game.
Chattanooga wasn’t finished scoring the ball as the Mocs scored on fourteen play seventy-five-yard drive finished by a two-yard quarter back keeper by #18 Cole Copeland. Chattanooga cut the lead to 28-23 and went for the onside kick. Kentucky expected the onside kick and Josh Ali recovered the kick. Kentucky escaped Kroger Field with a hard fought 28-23 victory over the Chattanooga Mocs.
