Everybody gets involved as Cats blow out Racers

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Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Terry Wilson (3) carries the ball towards the end zone during the game against Murray State on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in Lexington, Kentucky. Kentucky defeated Murray 48-10. Photo by Jordan Prather | Staff

Saturday afternoon, the Cats took care of business for their third straight win this season, defeating FCS opponent Murray State 48-10. For the first time this season, the Cats committed no turnovers, and are starting 3-0 for the second straight year.

Quarterback Terry Wilson had another stellar game, throwing for 163 yards and rushing for 80 more, continuing his rapid integration into the young Kentucky offense. He didn’t play the fourth quarter, as UK had already built a 31-point lead off his performance at the end of the third quarter.

After the opening kickoff was dropped by Lynn Bowden Jr., the Cats’ first drive started on their own 9. They didn’t find much problem with this, as the Cats drove down the field, capping the drive off with a 42-yard scramble by Wilson.

The Cats punted their next drive, and it would remain their final scoreless drive of the game with 1:51 left in the first quarter.

The Cats found themselves moving a bit sluggish on offense to start the second quarter, settling for a 40-yard field goal on their next drive, but took charge almost immediately and ran away with the game. The field goal was kicker Miles Butler’s first attempt of the season. After this drive, the Cats got the ball back and Benny Snell Jr. punched in a short run for his 34th career touchdown with UK, extending his school record.

The Cats gave up their longest drive of the day on defense at the end of the second quarter, giving up a field goal on an eight-play, 64-yard drive to end the half. The score stood at 17-3 to end the half, and the Cats ran away with the game after that.

No UK player scored more than one touchdown, but the Cats kept piling on points. Zy’Aire Hughes scored his first career touchdown off a double reverse, that was credited as a pass from Snell. For his first career completion, a 49-yard touchdown wasn’t too bad.

After Terry Wilson was substituted out of the game thank to the Cats’ scoring margin, backup quarterback Gunnar Hoak drove down the field and delivered a strike to Allen Dailey for Dailey’s first career touchdown.

The Cats also won the turnover battle for the first time, after an interception from Jamin Davis gave the Cats the ball back once again. Third-string quarterback Danny Clark started the next drive and ended that with a 2-yard touchdown run of his own. The Cats would give up one more touchdown with the second-string defense in the game, completing their largest victory since defeating UNC-Charlotte by 48 in 2015.

UK will host Mississippi State next weekend. Kickoff will be at 7 p.m. on Sept. 22.