Kentucky playing in its first New Year’s Day bowl game in 20 years as the Wildcats battled Penn State in the Citrus Bowl in Orlando.
The Nittany Lions got the ball first and after UK forced a punt, Penn State went for a fake that Kentucky easily stopped. Benny Snell, Jr. rushed a couple of times for 16 yards but the Wildcats had to settle for a Miles Butler 28 yard field goal. The Wildcats take a 3-0 lead.
Kentucky would force another punt by Penn State but it was a good one down to the UK three. The Cats would have to punt and gave the Nittany Lions a short field. They would drive to the UK 23 but missed a 40 yard field goal. The score remained unchanged. UK up 3-0.
A UK punt pinned the Nittany Lions deep and penalties backed them up inside their five. On 3rd down, Kash Daniel got his first sack of the season. forcing a punt. Lynn Bowden came in to field it and went back 58 yards for the touchdown. UK would lead 10-0.
That woke up Penn State. The Nittany Lions put together a 5 play, 75 yard drive and it only took less than two minutes. Trace McSorley would hit Nick Bowers for a one yard pass to cut the UK lead to 10-7.
The teams traded possession but neither was able to score. Penn State got it right before the break and started to drive thanks to a McSorley 12 yard run and another of the same distance by Ricky Slade. But, Pinegar had his field goal blocked by Josh Allen.
UK would take a 10-7 lead into halftime. Penn State had more yards 176 to just 87 for Kentucky. Benny Snell rushed for 43 yards in the half, Terry Wilson was 4-8 for 29 yards. There was no third down conversion, Penn State 0-8, UK 0-7.
