UK Athletics
After honoring 19 seniors during pregame ceremonies, the Wildcats dominated South Carolina to a 41-18 victory in the Wildcats last regular season game. They finished the season 4-6 in a tough year that saw them only compete against SEC foes.
The fifth-year seniors (since 2016), they have won 36 games (most in a five-season span since 2006-10), gone to four-straight bowl games, won a Citrus Bowl and Belk Bowl, got victories over five ranked opponents, ended the 31-game losing streak to Florida and won at Tennessee for the first time since 1984.
This was Mark Stoops’ 48th win at Kentucky, moving into sole possession of second place of school history.
Quarterback Terry Wilson played the game that many had expected from him throughout an up-and-down year. He accounted for 247 yards of total offense tonight. He completed 17 of 26 passes for 201 yards while rushing 14 times for 46 yards and one touchdown.
The senior signal caller has 1,001 career rushing yards and became the 40th player in school history to reach 1,000 rushing yards, first player in school history with at least 3,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards, the third quarterback in school history with at least 20 career passing touchdowns and 10 career rushing touchdowns, also Jared Lorenzen and Patrick Towles, the fourth quarterback in school history to reach 1,000 rushing yards, also Derrick Ramsey, Mike Fanuzzi and Lynn Bowden Jr., has 4,345 career yards total offense, moving into eighth place on the UK career list and is now 16-8 as UK’s starting quarterback.
Senior running back A.J. Rose rushed 14 times for 101 yards and one touchdown, the second 100-yard game of the season sixth 100-yard game of his career. Rose now has 1,823 career rushing yards, moving past Anthony White, Derrick Ramsey and Marc Logan for 10thplace in school history.
Sophomore running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. rushed 14 times for 139 yards and a career-high three touchdowns, his fourth 100-yard game of the season and sixth of his career. He had a 79-yard touchdown run to clinch the game in the fourth quarter. It is the second-longest run against USC in school history and the fifth-longest run in school history against an SEC opponent.
Senior linebacker Boogie Watson had eight tackles, including 2.5 for loss, and caused two fumbles.
Senior kicker Matt Ruffolo made all of his kicks tonight, field goals of 22 and 41 yards, along with all five extra points.
Senior center Drake Jackson started his 43rd consecutive game tonight, tied for the third-longest streak in school history with starting lineups available since 1993. Senior offensive guard Luke Fortner wore jersey No. 65 in honor of offensive line coach John Schlarman, who died Nov. 12.