HALFWAY POINT OF THE REGULAR SEASON
WEEK 7 GAME SCHEDULE
Saturday, October 12, 2024
South Carolina (3-2, 1-2 SEC) at Alabama (4-1, 1-1 SEC)
Series: ALA leads, 11-4
11 a.m. CT • ABC
Last: ALA, 47-23 (2019 at Columbia)
Tuscaloosa, Ala. • Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium (100,077)
SiriusXM: 374 – 82
THE SERIES AT A GLANCE:
Alabama holds a 13-3 lead in the all-time series between the two programs, including wins in each of the first 10 meetings between the schools from 1937-2000, but the teams have split the last six meetings evenly. The Crimson Tide hold an 8-1 advantage when the game has been played in Tuscaloosa and have won four of the six meetings in Columbia. Alabama also won the 1945 game which was played in Montgomery
South Carolina Notes
QUICKLY:
The South Carolina Gamecocks (3-2, 1-2 SEC) are back on the road for just the second time this season as they travel to Tuscaloosa, Ala. for the first time since 2009 to face the No. 7/7 Alabama Crimson Tide (4-1, 1-1 SEC) in an SEC showdown on Saturday, Oct. 12. Game time is set for noon ET (11 am CT) at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium (100,077).
IT’S BEEN A WHILE:
This is just the second meeting between South Carolina and Alabama since 2010 and the first in Tuscaloosa since 2009. The teams met six times between 2000 and 2010 but have played just once (2019) since that time.
THE LAST TIME THEY MET:
Tua Tagovailoa completed 28-of-36 passes for 444 yards and five touchdowns as the No. 2/2 Alabama Crimson Tide posted a 47-23 win over South Carolina on Sept. 14, 2019, in Columbia. True freshman Ryan Hilinski, making just his second career start, did his best to keep pace with Tagovailoa, completing 36-of-57 passes for 324 yards and two touchdowns. The Gamecocks ran 86 plays and rolled up 459 yards against a Bama defense that had nine players make the media’s preseason All-SEC teams, compared to just one offensive player from South Carolina (third-team selection Bryan Edwards).
THE LAST GAMECOCK WIN:
Stephen Garcia threw three touchdown passes, two to Alshon Jeffrey, and Marcus Lattimore scored three times as 19thranked South Carolina stunned No. 1 Alabama 35- 21 on Oct. 9, 2010, in Columbia. Never before had the Gamecocks beaten a team ranked No. 1 – at least not in football. The defending national champions had won 19-straight games since losing the Sugar Bowl to Utah after the 2008 season. South Carolina shredded the country’s top-rated scoring defense, putting up the most points on Alabama since a 41-34 loss to LSU in 2007. The Gamecocks scored four touchdowns when they got inside the Bama 20 – double what the Crimson Tide had allowed coming in. Garcia was a tidy 17-of-20 for 201 yards and the one interception. He also picked up a critical fourth-and-1 on the Gamecocks final scoring drive. Jeffery had seven receptions for 127 yards, including TD catches of 26 and 15 yards.
THE LAST TIME IN T-TOWN:
Mark Ingram rushed for a career-high 246 yards and a game-clinching touchdown, powering No. 2 Alabama to a 20-6 victory over No. 22 South Carolina on Oct. 17, 2009, in Tuscaloosa. Ingram’s tackle-breaking, defender-dragging runs and a punishing defense helped the undefeated Crimson Tide overcome four turnovers. The game’s only other touchdown came from a defense that sacked Stephen Garcia five times. Safety Mark Barron stepped in front of Garcia’s first pass attempt in the middle of the field and returned it 77 yards for a touchdown. Garcia wound up 20 of 46 for 214 yards after completing just 4 of 18 passes in the first half. South Carolina managed just 64 yards rushing. Alabama’s Greg McElroy also was shaky against the nation’s No. 6 pass defense. His first pass–and two of his initial four–were picked off after he had gone 135 straight passes without an interception.
SWEET HOME ALABAMA:
South Carolina walk-on linebacker Colin Bryant began his career as a walk-on at Alabama, spending his true freshman season of 2021 on the Tuscaloosa campus. Defensive tackle Monkell Goodwine logged three seasons with the Crimson Tide where he saw limited action in five contests before transferring to South Carolina in January. Quarterback Robby Ashford and kicker Peyton Argent are both from Hoover, Ala.
A South Carolina win over Alabama would…
• Give the Gamecocks their fourth win in 17 tries in the series, their second win ever in Tuscaloosa and their first win at Bryant-Denny Stadium since 2004. • Give the Gamecocks their fourth win in the last seven meetings in the series. The teams have split the last six contests evenly. • Give the Gamecocks their seventh win in their last 10 games overall. • Snap the Gamecocks’ seven-game losing streak against ranked opponents
CHALLENGE ACCEPTED:
South Carolina is playing its third ranked team of the year and the 15th in four years under head coach Shane Beamer. The Gamecocks are 3-11 against ranked opponents since the start of the 2021 season with wins against No. 13 Kentucky, No. 5 Tennessee and No. 7 Clemson, all in the 2022 season. South Carolina came in unranked in all but one (Notre Dame in 2022) of those 14 contests. They dropped a 36-33 decision to No. 16 LSU on Sept. 14 and suffered a 27-3 setback to No. 12 Ole Miss last week, their seventh-straight setback to a ranked opponent.
THE LAST TIME OUT:
Jaxson Dart threw for 285 yards, the Rebel defense held South Carolina out of the end zone and Ole Miss overcame a plethora of in-game injuries to post a 27-3 win in Columbia last Saturday afternoon. LaNorris Sellers completed a career-high 20 passes in a career-high 32 attempts for 162 yards and rushed 15 times for 55 more, but was sacked six times in the loss.
THAT’S OUR BALL:
The Gamecocks have forced 10 turnovers, the SEC’s second-highest total and tied for the nation’s 15th-best mark. They have forced multiple turnovers in three of the five games this season and have created at least one turnover in every game. They have forced a turnover in nine-straight games going back to last season and have 74 turnovers since the start of the 2021 season, tops in the SEC during that span.
Alabama Notes
EARLY BIRD GETS THE WIN:
Alabama enters this weekend’s matchup with South Carolina having won 30 straight games that have kicked off at 11:30 a.m. CT or earlier. The Crimson Tide is 1-0 in early kicks in 2024 after downing Wisconsin, 42-10, on Sept. 14 in Madison. UA went 3-0 in early bird games during the 2023 campaign, first defeating Arkansas on Oct. 18 in Tuscaloosa followed by a win over Kentucky in Lexington on Nov. 11 and a Senior Day victory against Chattanooga one week later. The Crimson Tide’s last loss in an early kick came on Nov. 10, 2007, at Mississippi State, a 17-12 final.
HARD-EARNED HARDWARE vs. UGA:
Jalen Milroe was named the Southeastern Conference Offensive Player of the Week following his performance against then-No. 2/1 Georgia on Sept. 28. One day later, the Tide signal-caller was recognized as the Davey O’Brien Quarterback of the Week, the Maxwell Award and Walter Camp Offensive Player of the Week and the Shrine Bowl’s “Monday Morning Quarterback”, while also earning a spot on the Manning Award “Star of the Week” list. Against the Bulldogs, Milroe accounted for a career-best 491 total yards and four touchdowns in the Crimson Tide’s 41-34 win.
WHAT’S UP, PROC:
Alabama left tackle Kadyn Proctor has been one of college football’s most effective offensive lineman entering Week 7. According to Pro Football Focus, Proctor’s 92.5 pass protection grade is the highest of any tackle in Division I.
QUICK STRIKE:
The Tide have created a reputation as a big-play offense to start the 2024 season. Of Alabama’s 31 touchdowns, 16 have been scores of 20-plus yards (51.6 percent). The 16 touchdowns are split between nine passes and seven runs.
400+ YARDS OF TOTAL OFFENSE:
Alabama has gained 400-plus yards of total offense in 69 of its last 88 games, dating back to the start of the 2018 season. The Crimson Tide has produced at least 400 yards of offense in three of five games this season, most recently recording 547 yards in UA’s 41-34 win against then-No. 2/1 Georgia on Sept. 28. In the 18 instances where the offense did not go over 400 yards, Alabama is 15-4.
500+ YARDS OF OFFENSE:
With 557 yards of total offense in the Tide’s 41-34 win over then-No. 2/1 Georgia on Sept. 28, Alabama has eclipsed 500 yards of offense in 59 games since the start of the 2015 season. The Crimson Tide went for 500-plus twice in 2023, first against LSU on Nov. 4 (507 yards) followed by a Nov. 18 win over Chattanooga (574 yards). UA’s offense racked up 500-plus yards seven times apiece in both 2022 and 2021, eight times in 2020 and nine times in 2019, with the 2018 roster setting the Alabama single-season record with 500-or-more yards in 12 games.
600+ YARDS OF OFFENSE:
Alabama totaled 600 yards of offense in the 63-0 win over Western Kentucky to open the 2024 campaign. The 600-plus yard performance marked the 15th instance in program history that the Tide has been at or above 600 yards. The Crimson Tide’s most recent instance of 600-plus came on Sept. 24, 2022, when UA posted 628 against Vanderbilt in the SEC opener. Alabama went over 600 yards twice in 2021 and four times during the 2020 campaign.
POINTS AT A PREMIUM:
Alabama has scored no fewer than 35 points in each of its first five games this season. The Crimson Tide’s 44.6 points per game average ranks third in the SEC and eighth in the FBS.
40-OR-MORE SINCE 2018:
Alabama has scored 40-or-more points in 56 of the last 88 games. Fifty-six leads the nation for the most total games of 40-plus points since the start of the 2018 season. Ohio State has the second-most instances of scoring 40-or-more points over that stretch at 47, while Oklahoma is third with 40.
Missouri (4-1, 1-1 SEC) at UMass (1-5)
Series: First Meeting
11 a.m. CT • ESPN2
Amherst, Mass. • Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium (21,430)
SiriusXM: 139/190
SERIES HISTORY
Missouri and Massachusetts will be meeting for the first time on Saturday, with the game marking the front half of a home-and-home series between the two teams. It will be the first of three SEC matchup for the Minutemen this season, with trips to Mississippi State (Nov. 2) and Georgia (Nov. 23) also on the horizon
Missouri Notes
FIRST AND TEN – STORYLINES
• Missouri has won at least four of its first five games for the second-straight year and the sixth time in the last 12 seasons. • Mizzou is riding a string of 18 consecutive weeks ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll, marking its longest such streak in a decade. • MU will be looking to bounce back from a 41-10 SEC loss at No. 25 Texas A&M (Oct. 5) that ended the Tigers’ eight-game win streak which was the longest unbeaten stretch since 1960 and matched the second-longest streak in program history. • Mizzou’s defense ranks 15th in the nation in total defense (277.6 ypg) and 11th in passing defense (157.0 ypg). • MU’s offense has converted 20-of-21 (.952) red zone opportunities into points this season, ranking 13th nationally and third in the SEC; the Tigers have scored on 76-of-79 (.962) trips overall since the start of the 2023 season. • QB Brady Cook (7,610) ranks fourth on the Tigers’ all-time passing yardage list and fifth on MU’s career touchdown passes chart (43); he enters Saturday’s game 1,189 yards behind Brad Smith for the No. 3 spot and eight TD tosses shy of James Franklin in the No. 4 position, respectively, on the two charts. • WR Theo Wease Jr. recorded a pair of catches for 72 yards at Texas A&M to become the 47th player in school history to top the 1,000-yard receiving plateau for a career; he teamed up with Cook on the Tigers’ lone touchdown of the game — a 59-yard strike that marked Mizzou’s longest passing scoring since the duo teamed up on a 77-yard TD toss vs. Florida on Nov. 18, 2023. • WR Luther Burden III recorded game highs with seven receptions for 82 yards last week at No. 25 Texas A&M, extending his streak of games with at least one catch to 27 in a row, dating back to Oct. 1, 2022. • Burden III ran his career total to 1,926 receiving yards, leaving the junior just 74 yards away from becoming the 12th Tiger receiver to top the 2,000-yard mark. • RB Nate Noel has led Mizzou in rushing in each of its five games to open the 2024 season; the graduate student transfer ranks fourth among all active NCAA FBS backs with 3,545 career rushing yards, including a career-best 199-yard effort vs. Vanderbilt (Sept. 21).
TIGERS DOMINANT IN NON-CONFERENCE
• Missouri brings a nine-game non-conference win streak into Saturday’s game, dating back to Sept. 17, 2022. • Saturday’s game will mark the Tigers’ first true road contest during its current non-conference win streak. • Under head coach Eliah Drinkwitz, the Tigers are 13-2 overall in non-conference action. • Despite its dominance at Memorial Stadium in nonconference play, Mizzou has dropped its last two non-SEC road games, including a Sept. 10, 2022, loss at Kansas State and an Aug. 31, 2019, setback at Wyoming. • The Tigers’ last non-conference road win came at Purdue (40-37) on Sept. 15, 2018. • Mizzou is 70-90-8 in road non-conference play.
PROTECTING THE ROCK
• The Tigers’ 4-1 start has been made possible by an offense that has not only controlled the time of possession in four of its five outings but has also limited turnovers to just two giveaways to date. • Mizzou leads the SEC and ranks 10th nationally in time of possession, controlling the ball for an average of 33:27 through its first five games. • Additionally, the Tigers have turned the ball over just two times — one fumble in their season opener vs. Murray State (Aug. 29) and one interception in game two vs. Buffalo (Sept. 7). • MU has not committed a turnover in any of its last three contests, spanning more than 13 full quarters (plus two overtime periods vs. Vanderbilt). • QB Brady Cook, who set an SEC record for consecutive pass attempts without throwing an interception (365) last fall, brings an active string of 116 straight pass attempts since his lone pick of the season in the third quarter of the Tigers’ matchup vs. Buffalo. • For the season, the Tigers are tied for fourth nationally with two turnovers, ranking fourth among all FBS teams with one INT and sixth nationally with one fumble lost.
IN THE ZONE
• Mizzou has been nearly unstoppable in the red zone, converting 20-of-21 trips inside of the opposition’s 20-yard line into points this season. • The Tigers have found the end zone on 13 of those possessions overall (62%). • The Tigers red zone offense was one of the nation’s best in 2023, putting points on the board in 56-of58 trips (96.6%) inside the 20-yard line to rank third among all FBS offenses. • MU converted 36 red zone TDs, while Harrison Mevis booted 20 red zone FGs to rank second among all FBS kickers.
UMass Notes
QUICK HITS
Massachusetts ranks tied for 41st in FBS (of 133 ranked) in total defense, allowing 324.2 yards per game. The Minutemen rank fourth in the country in average time of possession (34:10). In the FBS, UMass ranks tied with Minnesota for 38th with 119 first downs on the season. The Minutemen are tied for 19th in FBS with four turnovers lost on the season, while their one fumble lost is tied for sixth (Missouri is also among that group with one fumble lost this season). Taisun Phommachanh ranks fourth among FBS quarterbacks with 290 yards after contact when rushing the ball, trailing only John Mateer of Washington State (427 yards), Diego Pavia of Vanderbilt (322) and Tyler Huff of Jacksonville State (294). Five Minutemen have rushed for a touchdown this season, including CJ Hester (2), Taisun Phommachanh (1), Jalen John (1), Brandon Campbell (1) and Jackson Paradis (1).
CONTROLLING THE CLOCK
Massachusetts ranks fourth in FBS in average time of possession (34:10), trailing only Oregon State (36:37), Utah (35:27), and Army West Point (34:19). This week’s opponent, Missouri, ranks 10th (33:27). In total time of possession, UMass (205:02 minutes) ranks first, with the Miami Hurricanes (204:46) in second (both teams have played six games).
RECEIVING OPPORTUNITIES
Wide receivers Jakobie Keeney-James (GS) and Jacquon Gibson (R-So.) stepped up for the Minutemen to turn in career-best days in the loss at Toledo. Keeney-James caught six passed for 93 yards and a touchdown, which was his first as a Minuteman and the fifth of his career. His six receptions marked a career-high total. Gibson hauled in a career-high six receptions to go along with a career-high 72 yards while also grabbing a career-long 39-yard reception in the second quarter (previous long was a 29-yard catch against Arkansas State on Nov. 11, 2022).
PASS DEFENSE
The Massachusetts defense is holding opponents to 162.3 passing yards per game, which ranks 19th in the FBS, just behind No. 18 Oregon (162.0) and ahead of No. 20 Kentucky (166.0). The Minutemen posted four pass breakups against CCSU, marking their third game of the season with at least four pass breakups (also had vs. Eastern Michigan on Aug. 31 and nine at Toledo on Sept. 7). Massachusetts has totaled 21 pass breakups on the season, led by Tyler Rudolph (3) and Tim Grant-Randall (3). Isaiah Rutherford came up with UMass’ most recent interception when he picked off Ethan Hampton of Northern Illinois on Oct. 5 for his first pick of the season and second of his career. Jalen Harrell (at Miami on Sept. 28) and Ryan Barnes (vs. CCSU on Sept. 21) have each recorded their first career interceptions this season.
Texas (5-0, 1-0 SEC) vs. Oklahoma (4-1, 1-1 SEC)
Series: TEX leads, 64-51-5
2:30 p.m. CT • ESPN
Last: OU, 34-30 (2023 at Red River)
Dallas, Texas • Cotton Bowl Stadium (92,100)
SiriusXM: 139/191 – 137/190
Texas Notes
THE OPENING KICKOFF
• No. 1/1 Texas (5-0) continues its 132nd season of football at 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday, Oct. 12, vs. No. 18/16 Oklahoma (4-1) at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. In this year’s edition of the Allstate Red River Rivalry, Texas and Oklahoma meet for the 120th time on Saturday and the first time as members of the Southeastern Conference. The game will broadcast on ABC with Chris Fowler (play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (analyst) and Holly Rowe (reporter) on the call. • It’ll be a matchup between two of the nation’s winningest football programs as UT boasts the fourth-most wins (953) in NCAA history while the Sooners rank sixth with 948 victories. Texas has 953 all-time wins, the fourth-most in college football history. UT holds the record of 953-392-33 (.704). The Longhorns’ 953 wins are the second most by an SEC program following Alabama’s 968 victories. • Fresh off a bye week, UT’s last outing was a 35-13 win at home vs. Mississippi State on Sept. 28 in Texas’ first-ever SEC game. • Following Texas’ 56-7 win over UTSA on Sept. 14, Texas moved to No. 1 in the AP Poll for the first time since Oct. 26, 2008. The Longhorns were ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll for two consecutive weeks before moving to No. 2 during Week 6. Texas is back at No. 1 in the AP Poll after this week’s rankings dropped on Oct. 6. The Longhorns are the undisputed No. 1 team after earning the No. 1 ranking for the second-consecutive week in the Coaches Poll as well. The Longhorns have 48 appearances at No. 1 in the AP Poll.
SERIES HISTORY VS. OKLAHOMA
• There is no rivalry quite like the Texas-Oklahoma series, which is being played for the 120th time on Saturday. UT leads the all-time series, 63-51-5. • Texas enters the Red River Rivalry ranked No. 1 in the country in one of the two major polls for the sixth time, and the first time since 1984 (40 years ago). That game was a No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup and played to a 15-all tie. The Longhorns also entered the Texas-OU game ranked No. 1 in 1965 (W, 19-0), 1964 (W, 28-7), 1962 (W, 9-6) and 1946 (W, 20-13). • UT is 4-0-1 in its six Red River matchups as the No. 1-ranked team. • Texas is 4-7 vs. OU since 2013 (in regular season at Cotton Bowl). Nine of those last 10 games have been decided by one score. • The series, which began in 1900, has been played in Dallas since 1912 and at the State Fair since 1929. Saturday marks the 102nd time the game will be played at a neutral site in Dallas. • The first matchup between the two teams in 1900 ended with a 28-2 Longhorns’ victory. • It’s the most played series in UT history at 119 games with Texas A&M trailing just behind at 118. • Since 1900, the only years Texas and Oklahoma have not played were 1918, 1920-21 and 1924-28. • Texas and Oklahoma will meet as AP-ranked opponents for the second-consecutive year. • The Longhorns enter a game against Oklahoma as an unbeaten team for the 53rd time, including two season-opening games against the Sooners (1900, 1902). • UT has a 34-17-1 record against OU when entering the game unbeaten, including wins in three of the last five games. • Texas will be 5-0 when facing Oklahoma for the fifth time in series history (2002, 2008-09, 2023) — Texas was 6-0-1 entering the 1923 contest. • The game marked the season opener for Texas in 1900 and 1902 and for the Sooners in 1900 and 1901.
A TEXAS WIN WOULD …
• Be Texas’ 954th all-time victory, the fourth-winningest program in college football history. • Give Steve Sarkisian his 78th victory as a head coach and 31st at Texas in his 126th career game as a head coach. • Notch Texas’ first 6-0 start to a season since 2009. It would be the fourth time since 2000 that the Longhorns have started the season 6-0 (2009, 2008 and 2005). • Secure UT’s 64th victory over Oklahoma and grant Texas a 64-51-5 series edge against the Sooners. • Record the Longhorns’ second AP Top-25 victory on the season. • Stretch Texas’ record in SEC play to 2-0, which would mark the second-straight year the Horns have started conference play 2-0. • Secure UT’s fifth win of the season inside the state of Texas.
HORNS STREAKS
• Texas has started 5-0 in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2008-09 and for just the second time in 50+ years. • UT’s 11-straight home wins are the most since the Longhorns carried a 16-game winning streak at home in 2007-10. • The Longhorns are 15-1 at home over the last three seasons with their only loss being a one-point defeat to No. 1 Alabama (20-19) in 2021. • Texas has recorded eight-straight road wins – the most since registering eight-consecutive road wins from 2008-10. • Coming in at No. 1 in the AP and Coaches Poll, Texas has clocked in a No. 1 ranking for the fourth-consecutive week after being ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll from Sept. 15-29 and earning the No. 1 ranking in the Coaches Poll on Sept. 29. • The Horns have earned a Top-10 ranking for 21 weeks in a row.
NO SURRENDERING
• Texas is one of two FBS programs and the only Power 4 team to not trail this season (Texas and Army).
DOMINANT FROM THE JUMP
• UT has outscored opponents 56-0 in the first quarter this season. • The Longhorns are one of two FBS teams with zero points allowed in the first quarter, joining Clemson.
TRACKING THE RED RIVER RIVALRY
• The higher-ranked team in the AP Top 25 has won 19 of the last 31 matchups (19-11-1) when at least one of the programs are ranked in the AP Top 25. Texas is responsible for eight of the 11 victories when the lower ranked team pulls off the Red River upset. • Texas has won the turnover battle in eight of the last 10 meetings with OU, with the two teams tying at one turnover apiece in the 2018 Big 12 Championship Game. The team that wins the turnover battle between Texas and OU is 15-7 since 2000. • Nine of the previous 11 meetings between the Longhorns and Sooners had been decided by eight points or less after 15-straight years in which the annual game was decided by at least two scores (1999-2013). Texas leads the all-time series, 29-22-5, when the rivalry game is decided by one possession (eight points or less). • The Longhorns have scored at least 20 points against Oklahoma 30 times since 1980, posting a 15-14-1 record in those instances. Texas is 9-3 during that stretch when scoring 30-plus points, and 4-3 when scoring at least 40 points against the Sooners. Conversely, UT is 17-9-2 when holding Oklahoma to under 30 points or less since 1980, and 13-3-1 when limiting the Sooners to no more than 20 points. • The Longhorns are 6-4 since 2000 when averaging at least four yards per carry on offense vs. Oklahoma. UT is 4-0 when rushing for at least 200 yards and 0-7 when rushing for less than 100 yards against OU during that stretch.
RED RIVER RIVALRY TRADITIONS
• The Cotton Bowl: After the series ended following a game in Austin in 1923, the tradition of the two schools playing at the State Fair of Texas began in 1929 in an old wooden structure called Fair Park Stadium. The new structure, also called Fair Park Stadium, but renamed the Cotton Bowl in 1936, was built in time for the 1930 matchup. The first Texas-OU game played at “The Cotton Bowl” was in 1937. This year’s Red River Showdown will be held in the Cotton Bowl for the 87th consecutive year. • The Battle Line: One of the unique characteristics of the great rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma is the colors. Tickets are divided equally and the stadium is split in half (burnt orange and crimson) at the 50-yard line. As the away team in 2024, the Longhorns will wear their white uniforms and occupy the east bench area. • The Governor’s Cup: The Governor’s Cup is exchanged annually by the Governor of Texas (Greg Abbott) and the Governor of Oklahoma (Kevin Stitt) following the Allstate Red River Rivalry. The tradition began when Texas Governor Dolph Briscoe donated the trophy, and each year it is transported from the office of the previous year’s winning governor to Dallas. Following the game, the trophy will once again be engraved with the winner after the game and housed in the office of the winning governor for the year. • The Golden Hat: To the victor goes the Golden Hat, a rotating trophy given annually to the winner of the Texas/Oklahoma game. A gold cowboy hat that is mounted on a large block of wood, it has been part of the rivalry since the State Fair of Texas donated it in 1941. When the hat first arrived, it was known as the “Bronze Hat” and was actually made out of bronze. The hat was reworked in the 1970s and came out gold, hence the name change to the “Golden Hat.”
TEXAS FIGHT RALLY AND PARADE
• A tradition since 1916, the Texas Fight Rally & Parade is a popular student event held every year before the Texas vs. OU game and is run by the Texas Exes. • Each year, Longhorn students gather at the Main Mall in front of the Tower where the crowd of students, faculty, alumni and fans hear from the Longhorn football coaches and players. • The event features performances by UT Cheer & Pom and the Longhorn Band, as well as photo opportunities with Smokey the Cannon and Hook ‘Em. • This year’s parade will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 9 and begins at 6:30 p.m. on Guadalupe between 25th Street and 21st Streets with the rally taking place at the Tower at 7 p.m.
RED RIVER RANKINGS
• Saturday’s matchup will pit the No. 1/1 Longhorns against the 18/16 Sooners. It marks the 25th time in 26 years in which at least one of the teams has been ranked for the Red River Rivalry game and the 17th time in that span in which both teams will be ranked heading into the game. • Texas and Oklahoma will both be ranked in the AP Top 12 heading into the game for the 26th time in series history and for the second year in a row. • Before the 2018 AT&T Red River Showdown, when Texas was ranked No. 19/20 and Oklahoma No. 7/5, the two teams had not met as ranked foes since 2012. • Since 2000, the two teams have met as ranked foes 17 times. Oklahoma owns an advantage in such matchups, having won 13-of-17 contests against Texas. • Before the 2018 Big 12 Championship Game, when No. 9/9 Texas met No. 5/5 Oklahoma, the last time the two teams were both ranked inside the Top 10 for a meeting was in 2008, when No. 5/5 Texas defeated No. 1/1 Oklahoma, 45-35.
Oklahoma Notes
OPENING KICK
• In a matchup of the SEC’s new members, No. 18/16 Oklahoma (4-1, 1-1) takes on No. 1/1 Texas (5-0, 1-0) for the 96th straight year in Dallas when the teams meet Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT in the Allstate Red River Rivalry. The game will be played at the Cotton Bowl and televised by ABC with Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, Holly Rowe and Laura Rutledge announcing. OU is the designated home team. u Saturday’s game will mark the 120th meeting between Oklahoma and Texas, with the first matchup occurring Oct. 10, 1900, in Austin. Since 1929, the Sooners and Longhorns have played annually at Fair Park in Dallas. The game has been played inside the Cotton Bowl every year since 1937. • Oklahoma has won five of its last six meetings against Texas, 11 of the last 15 and 17 of the last 25. u Since 2000, the Sooners are 4-3 in the series when Texas is ranked in the AP top 5. u OU has posted an 11-8 (.579) regular season record against AP top5 teams since the start of the 2000 season, good for the best winning percentage nationally. Stanford (9-7; .563) ranks second, followed by Alabama (14-12; .538), Ohio State (7-8; .467) and LSU (13-19; .406). • Oklahoma and Texas rank fifth and seventh, respectively, in all-time winning percentage. OU is 948-342-53 (.726) while UT is 953-392- 33 (.704). The Sooners have played 1,343 games and the Longhorns have played 1,378. UT has played two more seasons than OU. u Oklahoma has won its last four games against Texas when both teams are ranked in the AP poll, seven of its last eight and 13 of its last 17. The Sooners are 24-16 in the series under the circumstance. • OU won 14 Big 12 Conference championships in the league’s first 28 years, including six in the last nine years. Texas ranked second with four titles (one in the last 14 seasons). • This marks the first season since Oklahoma and Texas started playing each other annually in 1929 that both teams had a bye immediately before the October matchup. The Sooners are 3-9-1 in the series when they’ve had a bye the week before playing the Longhorns (wins came in 1954, 1966 and 1972). This is only the second time since the 1984 season OU had a bye the week before meeting UT (also in 2006). • The designated visiting team has won the last three Red River Rivalry matchups and six of the last seven. Before that stretch, the home team won five straight matchups (2012-16) and seven of eight. • The 2024 season marks the 130th in OU football history. The Sooners lead the nation with their 50 all-time conference championships, 27 11-plus-win seasons (tied), 33 AP top-five finishes and five No. 1 overall NFL Draft picks (tied). They rank second with their seven Heisman Trophy winners (tied), third with seven AP national championships, their 101 weeks as the AP’s No. 1 team and 431 total weeks in the AP Top 5, and fourth with their 57 bowl appearances, 31 bowl wins (tied) and 417 NFL Draft picks. • Since the end of World War II (1946 season to present), OU leads all programs with 704 wins (31 more than Alabama, the program with the next most). Texas ranks fifth with 634 wins during the same span.
KEY STORYLINES
• OU head coach Brent Venables has faced Texas 15 times as a member of the Sooners’ coaching staff and is 9-6. He went 8-5 against UT as an OU assistant coach (he was co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach from 1999-2003 and associate head coach, defensive coordinator and linebackers coach from 2004-11) and is 1-1 as head coach. The Sooners won five straight from 2000-04, outscoring UT 189-64 (average of 38-13). In a 55-17 win in 2011, OU scored three defensive touchdowns (on two fumble returns and an interception). • Michael Hawkins Jr. is slated to become Oklahoma’s seventh freshman quarterback to start vs. Texas, but the first true freshman. The previous six QBs (all redshirt freshmen) went a combined 3-2-1 in their first Red River contests. They were Tink Collins in 1989 (OU lost 28-24), Eric Moore in 1995 (tied 24-24), Justin Fuente in 1996 (OU won 30-27 in overtime), Rhett Bomar in 2005 (OU lost 45-12), Sam Bradford in 2007 (OU won 28-21) and Spencer Rattler in 2020 (OU won 53-45 in four overtimes). • Oklahoma owns a 7-16-2 all-time record against teams ranked No. 1 in the AP poll. OU’s wins over AP No. 1s occurred in the 1953 season (7-0 vs. Maryland in Orange Bowl), 1963 (17-12 at USC), 1984 (17-7 at Nebraska), 1985 (25-10 vs. Penn State in Orange Bowl to win national title), 1987 (17-7 at Nebraska), 2000 (31-14 vs. Nebraska) and 2007 (38-17 vs. Missouri in Big 12 Championship Game). The Sooners, who have lost their last four games against the AP’s No. 1 team, are 0-3-1 against Texas when the Longhorns are ranked No. 1 (lost 20-13 in 1946, 28-7 in 1964 and 19-0 in 1965, and tied 15-15 in 1984). • Saturday’s game will pit an Oklahoma team that ranks fourth nationally in turnovers gained (13) and third in turnover margin (+1.6 per game) against a Texas squad that is tied for 67th with its seven turnovers lost and ranks 46th in turnover margin (+0.4 per game). Last year in the Red River Rivalry contest, UT had three turnovers on offense and OU none. • OU has registered five interceptions and a nation-leading eight fumble recoveries, two more than it had all of last season (no other team has more than six recoveries this year). Texas has thrown four interceptions and lost three fumbles. • Since the start of the 2023 season, OU is 12-0 when it wins the turnover battle (4-0 this year) and 2-3 when it loses it (0-1 this year). • During the Venables era (since the start of the 2022 season), Oklahoma’s defense leads the nation with its 42 interceptions. The Sooners have registered at least one interception in 10 of their last 11 games and in 26 of their last 31. • Junior defensive linemen Gracen Halton and R Mason Thomas entered the season with a combined 8.0 career tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks, but through five games this season have teamed for 10.0 TFLs and 8.0 sacks. Halton was named SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week after registering a career-high 2.0 TFLs (11- yard sack and a 5-yard safety) in a 16-12 win over Houston in week two. He has 3.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble, fumble recovery and safety. Thomas turned in a 3.0-sack effort vs. Tulane in which he also logged a forced fumble and recovery, a pass breakup and a QB hurry en route to being named Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week. In OU’s win at Auburn last game, he registered sacks on back-to-back fourth-quarter plays with OU clinging to a 24-21 lead. Thomas has team highs of 6.5 TFLs and 5.5 sacks on the year. His 5.5 sacks are fifth most nationally and already more than any Sooner had last season. • Redshirt junior receiver Deion Burks has 26 receptions, the most ever by a player in the first four games of his OU career. The Purdue transfer, who missed last game due to injury, ranks third in the SEC and 17th nationally with his 6.5 catches per game. He also has a team-high three receiving touchdowns. • OU has featured a different starting offensive line in all five games this season and nine players have started at least one contest. Febechi Nwaiwu (right guard all five games), Jacob Sexton (two games at left tackle and three at left guard) and Michael Tarquin (two games at left tackle and three at right tackle) have started all five games. Other starters have been Branson Hickman (three games at center), Joshua Bates (two games at center), Logan Howland (two games at left tackle), Geirean Hatchett (one game at left guard; out for the year), Heath Ozaeta (one game at left guard) and Jake Taylor (two games at right tackle).
Mississippi State (1-4, 0-2 SEC) at Georgia (4-1, 2-1 SEC)
Series: UGA leads, 20-6
4:15 p.m. ET • SEC Network
Last: UGA, 45-19 (2022 at Starkville)
Athens, Ga. • Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium (93,033)
SiriusXM: 374 – 160/192
Mississippi State Notes
FIRST TIME STARTERS
• Mississippi State has had 10 players make their first career starts this season. The Bulldogs are one of 13 FBS teams this season to have 10+ players make their first career starts. Air Force leads the way with 30 first-time starters. • State is 1 of three Power-4 teams on this list, the others being Georgia (14) and Michigan State (11).
2024 OFFENSIVE DEBUTS
• First Career starts in 2024 (3): Michael Van Buren Jr.^, Mario Craver^, Leon Bell, » Mississippi State or collegiate debut in 2024 (27): Michael Van Buren Jr.^, Kelly Akharaiyi, Blake Shapen, Kevin Coleman Jr., Braylon Burnside^, Mario Craver^, Ricky Johnson^, Cameron Ball, Trent Hudson, Sanfrisco Magee^, Johnnie Daniels, Davon Booth, Xavier Gayten^, Elijah Cannon^, Brinston Williams, Semaj Parker, Luke Work^, Wesley Davis, Makylan Pounders, Ethan Miner, Jimothy Lewis Jr.^, Jacoby Jackson, Marlon Martinez, Kade Kolka, Zach Haynes, Justin Ball, Logan Flinta ^ indicates true freshman
2024 DEFENSIVE DEBUTS
• First Career starts in 2024 (7): Zakari Tillman, Kelley Jones, Isaac Smith, Brylan Lanier, Kedrick Bingley-Jones, Trevion Williams, Nic Mitchell, • Mississippi State or collegiate debut in 2024 (18): Fred Clark^, Brylan Lanier, Traveon Wright, Stone Blanton, Sulaiman Kpaka, Tyler Woodard, Kobi Albert, Khamauri Rogers, Cyrus Reyes^, Kedrick Bingley-Jones, Marcus Ross, Jatavious Johnson^, Michael Robinson, Branden Jennings, Kai McClendon^, Corey Clark, Terrance Hibbler Jr.^, Ashun Shepphard. ^ indicates true freshman
QUICK STRIKE OFFENSE
• Mississippi State scored its first points of 2024 in just three plays and 32 seconds. It was the fastest scoring drive for the Bulldogs in a season-opener since Kylin Hill scored on the opening play by rushing for a 53-yard touchdown against Stephen F. Austin on Sept. 1, 2018.
• On the year, Mississippi State has scored six of its 18 offensive touchdowns in five plays or less. » Of the Bulldogs’ 18 touchdowns this season, they have scored six touchdowns in under 2 minutes, three touchdowns in under 32 seconds, and two touchdowns in under 15 seconds.
• The Bulldogs average time of possession per game this season is 26:24.
• Mississippi State’s longest drive of the season has been 6:43 vs. Florida. It resulted in a touchdown.
• State led Florida in time of possession (32:24 to 27:36). It was the first-time all-season State held the ball for more than 23 minutes.
SPECIAL TEAMS NOTEBOOK
BLOCKED PUNTS & KICKS
• On the year, Mississippi State has blocked two punts, one of which was returned for a touchdown. • State’s two blocked punts in 2024 are tied for seventh nationally and tied for first in the SEC with South Carolina. Only five SEC teams have blocked a punt/kick this season. • Mississippi State’s first blocked punt was against Eastern Kentucky in the season opener (the second straight season with a blocked punt returned for a touchdown in the season opener). The play was Mississippi State’s 11th blocked punt for a score in its 125 seasons of football and the third with a return yardage total of 0 yards. This was also just the second time in program history that State had blocked a punt for a score in back-to-back seasons. It last happened in 1972 & 1973. • State’s second blocked punt was against No. 1 Texas on Sept. 28. • The Bulldogs have blocked a punt/kick in four straight seasons dating back to the 2021 season. In that stretch, the Bulldogs have blocked two punts/kicks in a season twice (2024 & 2021). Since 2016, Mississippi State has only blocked three punts/kicks in a single season twice (2017 & 2016). In 2016, MSU led the SEC with four blocks.
PUNTING
• Nick Barr-Mira is handling full-time punting duties for the second time in his career. Before the 2024 season, Barr-Mira served as UCLA’s punter in 2022, where he punted 25 times and averaged 42.8 ypp, which would have ranked 44th nationally. • As State’s primary punter in 2024, he is averaging 45.94 yards per punt this season, 2nd best mark in the SEC behind Kai Kroeger of South Carolina (47.47) and the 13th-best in America. • On 18 punts this season, Barr-Mira has produced nine fair catches, three punts that went out of bounds and three punts that were downed. He has allowed just three returns all season for a total of 62 total yards. • Barr-Mira set a career-long with a 60-yard punt against Texas. • Of his 18 punts this season, eight have been punts of 50+ yards • On the year, Barr-Mira has an average hang time of 4.10 seconds, ranking 28th nationally, 8th in the SEC. • Barr-Mira has landed five punts inside the 20-yard line.
KICKING
• Kyle Ferrie is 4-for-5 in field goals this season. He is 17-for-18 in PATs this season. • Against Texas, he connected on a season-long field goal of 45 yards. He also • Following his 45-yard field goal at Texas, Ferrie has made six career field goals from 40+ yards. • Ferrie has made four consecutive field goals.
SPECIAL TEAMS, SPECIAL PLAYS, SPECIAL PLAYERS
• Kevin Coleman Jr. had one of the best games returning punts in week one, returning five punts for 117 yards, including a long return of 32 yards. • Coleman Jr.’s 117 return yards leads in the FBS for a single-game through three weeks. He is the only player nationally that has a game with 100+ punt return yards in a single-game this season. • To take it a step further, Coleman Jr.’s 117 punt return yards are the most in a single-game for a Bulldog since at least 2010. • His strong effort in the return game, and on the receiving front, allowed Coleman Jr. to earn 205 all-purpose yards against Eastern Kentucky
Georgia Notes
The Other Bulldogs Make A Visit Between The Hedges
After having just one home game out of its first four contests, the No. 5/4 Bulldogs (4-1, 2-1 SEC) play their second straight Between The Hedges Saturday. Up next, MSU (1-4, 0-2 SEC) visits for the first time since 2020 and just the 16th overall time in Athens. Georgia owns a 20-6 advantage over MSU including 12-3 in Athens and 12-1 at Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium. In 2020, Georgia posted a 31-24 win over MSU to extend its winning streak in the series to four. The teams first clashed in 1914 in Athens when MSU registered a 9-0 shutout. Georgia has won 13 of the past 14 meetings. MSU’s last victory in the series came in 2010 by a score of 24-10 in Athens. Meanwhile, Georgia is 3-0 against MSU under Kirby Smart. MSU, under the direction of first-year coach Jeff Lebby, enjoyed an open date last Saturday. MSU began the season wih a 56-7 win over Eastern Kentucky. Since then, they’ve dropped games at Arizona State (30-23), to Toledo (41-17), Florida (45-28) and at No. 1 Texas (35-13). Georgia is averaging 32.0 points per game (ppg) and allowing 14.4 ppg. MSU is averaging 27.4 ppg while it allows 31.6 ppg. During the Florida game, MSU’s starting quarterback Blake Shapen, a transfer from Baylor, injured his shoulder and now is out for the year. True freshman Michael Van Buren Jr. made his first career start against the Longhorns. He was 12-for-23 for 144 yards and had a 12-yard rushing TD for his first career score. The 13 points allowed by Texas was a season-high. MSU blocked a punt to give it two for the year.
The Standard Is The Standard
Georgia checks in this week 13th nationally in Scoring Defense, allowing just 14.4 points per game (ppg). Through the first three games of the season, the Bulldogs were the only FBS team that did not allow a TD as opponents combined for six field goals. In the opener, Georgia limited then 14th-ranked Clemson to one field goal, Tenn. Tech kicked one on the final play of the game and UK made four (two from 50+ yards). Then, fourth-ranked Alabama built a 30-7 halftime lead on the visiting Bulldogs and hung on for a 41-34 win. Georgia bounced back this past Saturday with a 31-13 home win over Auburn, allowing one touchdown while the Tigers two trips inside the red zone resulted in field goals. Going into the road game with the Crimson Tide, the Bulldogs were one of just three teams in FBS that did not have a turnover on the season. Then, the Bulldogs had four in the loss. Georgia did not have a turnover against Auburn to remain at even in Turnover Margin this season. Georgia’s opponent this week, Mississippi State, is even in Turnover Margin as well.
Beck At The Controls
Fifth-year senior Carson Beck, a 6-4, 220-pound native of Jacksonville, Fla., owns a 17-2 record as a starter. Led Georgia to 13-1 mark in ’23. *On the 2024 watch list for numerous national awards. He was a 2023 Manning Award finalist and a Maxwell Award / Davey O’Brien Award semifinalist * 6-2 versus top-20 opponents with a 69.4 Completion Percentage (175-252) for 2,410 yards, 18 TDs, 5 INTs in those contests. * Set Career Highs in 41-34 road loss at #4 Alabama, 50 att., 439 yards, 3 INTs; Was 8-of-17 for 100 yards, 2 INTs in 1st Half and trailed 30-7; then went 19-33 for 339 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT in the 2nd Half and led briefly 34-33 *439 passing yards @ #4 UA ranked 4th most in school history, most since ’94 (Eric Zeier, 441 vs. VU, going 23-for-54) * SEC Offensive Player of the Week after 34-3 win over #14 Clemson this year * School record 72.4 Completion% in 2023 (5th nationally). * Georgia’s quarterback room also includes redshirt sophomore Gunner Stockton, freshman Ryan Puglisi and redshirt freshman transfer Jaden Rashada (Arizona State). Stockton saw action in four games last year and completed 63% of his passes (12-for-19) for 148 yards and two TDs. This year, Stockton is 10-for-12 for 90 yards, 0 TDs, 0 INT.
Are We Punting? Nope.
In the Kirby Smart era, the Bulldogs have a 64% success rate in 4th Down Conversions (71-for-111) with 10 TDs. This year, the Bulldogs rank fourth nationally in 4th Down Conversions at 89% (8-for-9). Faced with a 30-7 halftime deficit at No. 4 Alabama, Georgia attacked every drive in the second half with a four-down mentality. After going 1-for-1 on 4th down in the first half, Georgia went 4-for-4 in the second half to finish 5-for-5, the best ever under Smart. The Bulldogs came into the game 1-for-2 on 4th Downs. Recently, Georgia was 2-for-2 on 4th Downs against AU.
Defensive Playmakers At Each Level
Georgia has had 42 players drafted over the past four seasons, including 23 on defense and eight of those defenders have gone in the first round. * The 2024 unit ranks 13th in Scoring Defense (14.4 ppg). * Did not allow a TD until the fourth game of the year. * The 2023 unit ranked fifth nationally in Scoring Defense (15.6 ppg).
Florida (3-2, 1-1 SEC) at Tennessee (4-1, 1-1 SEC)
Series: UF leads, 32-21
7 p.m. ET • ESPN
Last: UF, 29-16 (2023 at Gainesville)
Knoxville, Tenn. • Neyland Stadium (101,915)
SiriusXM: 390 – 139/191
TENNESSEE-FLORIDA SERIES
• Tennessee and Florida are meeting for the 54th time with the Gators owning a 32-21 advantage in the series. • This is the 35th straight year that Tennessee and Florida face each other, which dates back to the 1990 season. • The last meeting in Knoxville, a 38-33 UT win on Sept. 24, 2022, came down to the final play when Kamal Hadden, now with the Green Bay Packers, intercepted a pass in the end zone. That preserved the Vols’ first win in the series since Sept. 24, 2016. • The Vols are seeking back-to-back home wins in the series for the first time since 1990, ’92. A win on Saturday would push the record in Knoxville between the two teams to 14-14. • Excluding the 2020 COVID-shortened season, the Oct. 12 kickoff is the latest calendar date meeting between the two teams since Dec. 1, 2001. That game was originally scheduled for September, but the tragic events of 9/11 moved the game. It’s the first time since 2014 (Oct. 4) that the Vols and Gators meet in October. During the 2020 COVID season, Florida won 31-19, in Knoxville on Dec. 5. • Tennessee owns an 8-6 record against Florida in games played in October. • QB Nico Iamaleava is seeking to become the first UT freshman quarterback – true or redshirt – to defeat the Gators since true freshmen Erik Ainge and Brent Schaeffer in 2004. Though Schaeffer started the game, Ainge took most of the snaps. • Josh Heupel is 7-2 as a head coach against teams from Florida (1-2 vs. Florida, 3-0 vs. USF, 2-0 vs. FAU, 1-0 vs. Florida A&M).
Florida Notes
THE STORYLINE
• Week 7 marks the 54th all-time meeting between Florida and Tennessee including the 28th matchup in Knoxville. • The Orange & Blue boasts a 32-21 record in the series featuring victories in 17 of the last 19 matchups. • The Gators have not lost a home game to the Volunteers since 2003, owning 10-straight home wins in the series. • Despite falling, 38-33, in the team’s last trip to Knoxville in 2022, Florida is 6-2 in Knoxville since 2006. • In last year’s meeting, unranked Florida upset No. 11 Tennessee by two scores in The Swamp, 29-16. • In two games vs. Tennessee under HCBilly Napier, Florida is averaging 31.0 PPG and 471.5 YPG. • Since 2018 (six games), Florida has outscored Tennessee by 101 points (212-111), equating to a spread of 16.8 PPG. • Florida has totaled 300-plus yards of offense vs. Tennessee in nine-straight games and in 14 of the last 15 meetings. • The Gators also have rushed for 100-plus yards in 17 of the last 18 matchups. • Florida has scored 26-plus points in each of the last nine meetings vs. Tennessee. • This is the third meeting (1-1) between Napierand UT’s Josh Heupel as head coaches (more on Page 9’s ‘Crossing Paths’). • The Gators have won back-to-back games vs. Power Four opponents by a combined margin of 28 points (69-41). • In Week 6 vs. UCF, Florida’s two-QB tandem of Graham Mertz and DJ Lagway finished with a combined completion percentage above 82% for the second-straight game (23-of-28, 82.1% / 26-for-28, 92.9%, UF single-game record). • Mertz and Lagway went a combined 49-of-56 passing (87.5%) with four touchdowns and zero interceptions as Florida posted back-to-back wins in Weeks 4 & 6. • Mertz and Lagway are one of two FBS QB duos with 600-plus passing yards apiece (the other being Texas). • Led by first-year senior analyst Joe Houston, Florida ranks fourth in the FBS in net punting (45.59), eighth in punt return defense (0.50), 14th in punt return average (16.67) and 37th in kick return average (22.86) • Florida enters Week 7 ranking 15th in the FBS in passer rating (167.3) and 35th in passing offense (268.6). • C Jake Slaughter grades No. 1 in the FBS in pass blocking (90.2) and No. 15 overall (75.0) out of 281 FBS centers. • He pairs with Week 4’s SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week in T Austin Barber, who became UF’s first OL to score a TD in 300 games in the win at Mississippi State, as well as one of two FBS OL to score this season (more on Page 4). • The Gators have allowed just five sacks on the season, which ranks t-16th in the FBS and t-second in the SEC. • Florida owns the No. 1 strength of schedule in the country, featuring eight Preseason AP Top-20 opponents. • Since the 2018 season, Napier is tied for 13th in the FBS with 54 total victories alongside Lane Kiffin and Mike Gundy. He has more wins than Mario Cristobal (53), Mike Norvell (51), Sonny Dykes (50) and Mark Stoops (50) in that time. • The Gators have won 15 of their last 21 games in The Swamp (including 10 of 15), but are 3-16 in their last 19 contests outside The Swamp and 3-12 in their last 15 true road games. • Florida has scored in 453-consecutive games dating back to 1988 – an NCAA record and 53 games longer than any other college football team in the history of the sport (TCU, 400-straight games, active streak).
MERTZ & LAGWAY EXCELLING IN TWO-QB SYSTEM
• Florida deployed a two-QB system for the third-straight game in Week 6, with QB Graham Mertz handling the first, second, fourth and fifth drives of each half and QB DJ Lagway taking the third and sixth possessions. • The duo went 23-of-28 (82.0%) for 229 yards and one TD in Week 6 after going 26-for-28 (92.8%) for 277 yards last game at Miss. St. Mertz was 19-of-23 for 179 yards and one TD while Lagway was 4-for-4 for 50 yards. • There are 17 qualified FBS quarterbacks with at least 600 passing yards, a 69.0% completion percentage and a 160-plus QB rating, with Florida and Texas both claiming two such players on that list (Mertz & Lagway). • Mertz threw his 30th TD pass as a Gator to complete a 15-play, 75-yard opening drive in the Week 6 win. • Mertz owns 63 career passing TDs, which ranks 12th among active players (one of 15 in FBS with 60-plus TDs). • Lagway has not thrown a pick since Week 3: 7-for-7 in Week 4 and 4-for-4 in Week 6 on 11.5 yards per attempt. • Across his last 10 games dating back to last season, Mertz has thrown for 2,349 passing yards (234.9 YPG), 212 completions, a 71.1% completion percentage, 19 touchdowns and three interceptions. • Mertz has thrown just four interceptions across his last 432 passes. • Mertz has started all 47 games he has played since 2020, ranking third among active FBS QBs in that time. • In Week 4, the duo finished 26-of-28 (92.8%, UF single-game record) for 277 yards. • Mertz (19-of-21, 201 yards, three TDs) recorded the third-highest completion percentage (90.5%) by a Gator. • In his first SEC road game, Lagway led two scoring drives starting inside UF’s 10-yard line, becoming the first freshman QB to lead a pair of 90-plus-yard drives in a road SEC tilt since Jalen Hurts in 2016. • Mertz has posted a completion % above 62.0% with at least one passing touchdown in 14 of his 15 starts at UF. • Making his first-career start in the Week 2 win over Samford, Lagway passed for the most yards ever (456) by a Florida true freshman quarterback, breaking Chris Leak’s mark of 269 vs. Kentucky in 2003. • Lagway’s 456 passing yards are the tied for the second-most in the FBS this season and rank ninth all-time at Florida (most since Emory Jones threw for 464 yards vs. Samford on Nov. 13, 2021). • Lagway completed 18-of-25 passes (72.0%) highlighted by three touchdowns and a 264.8 rating. • Lagway became Florida’s first true freshman starter at quarterback since Treon Harris in the 2014 Birmingham Bowl (UF’s seventh true freshman starter at quarterback overall).
EXPERIENCED JOHNSON JR. LEADS RUSH ATTACK
• Now with four rushing TDs on the season, RB Montrell Johnson Jr. carried the rock 10 times for 54 yards and one TD while tying his career high with six receptions for 24 yards in the Week 6 win. • Florida has rushed for 356 yards while winning back-to-back P4 games – its best two-game total of 2024. • Florida has scored a rushing TD in every game this season (four with multiple) for 11 total ground scores. • Through five games, Johnson Jr. leads Florida with 288 rushing yards on 5.0 yards per carry. • Johnson Jr. owns 31 career rushing TDs (19 at UF), which is the most of any active SEC rusher. • He owns 33 multi-purpose TDs (21 at UF: 19 rushing, two receiving). • In Week 4, UF rushed for a season-high 226 yards, eclipsing 200-plus yards for the first time this season. • Johnson Jr. ranks 16th in the SEC in rushing YPG, t-eighth in rushing TDs and 18th in yards per carry. • Johnson Jr. rushed for 100 yards for the ninth time in his career and for seventh time as a Gator in Week 1. • Johnson Jr. is tied for eighth in the SEC (sixth among RBs) with 19 rushing touchdowns since 2022, including third among active SEC rushers. • Last season, Johnson Jr. led UF in carries (152) and net rushing yardage (817) for the second-straight year. • Florida has punched in a rushing touchdown in 12-consecutive games and in 25 of 30 contests since 2022.
THE IMPACT OF EUGENE ‘TRE’ WILSON III
• WR Eugene Wilson III paced UF with a career-high 141 yards on six catches and one touchdown in Week 2. • Wilson III ranks 36th nationally with 185 yards after the catch despite missing each of the last three games. • It marked his first-career 100-yard receiving game and his 141 yards came on 136 yards after the catch. • It was the ninth time in the last 10 games that Wilson caught at least six passes. • Wilson III’s 85-yard touchdown was Florida’s longest since Mark Thompson’s 85-yarder vs. Iowa in 2017. • Since Week 4 vs. Vandy in 2023, Wilson III is averaging 6.9 catches and 69.4 YPG with seven TDs (10 games). • In his last eight games, he has produced 561 yards on 54 catches including six TDs. • Wilson III led all FBS true freshmen in receptions per game (6.1) in 2023 while ranking second in catches (61), t-second in receiving TDs (six), fourth in receiving YPG (53.8) and seventh in receiving yards (538). • Wilson III was the first Florida true freshman to eclipse 500 receiving yards since Antonio Callaway in 2015. • In Week 10 vs. Arkansas, Wilson III became the first true freshman receiver at Florida to record multiple touchdowns in a contest since Riley Cooper recorded three vs. Western Carolina on Nov. 18, 2006. • Against Georgia in 2023, Wilson III set a UF freshman record with a career-high 11 receptions.
Tennessee Notes
STREAK SNAPPED:
Tennessee saw a six-game winning streak come to an end in a 19-14 loss at Arkansas. The Vols were shutout in the first half, trailing 3-0, but responded with touchdowns on their first two drives of the second half. RB Dylan Sampson accounted for both scores and finished with a career-best 140 yards on 22 carries. UT led 14-3 in the third quarter, but the Razorbacks scored 16 unanswered and pitched a 9-0 shutout in the fourth quarter. A last minute drive engineered by QB Nico Iamaleava, highlighted by a 42-yard pass to Dont’e Thornton Jr., came up short as time expired. UT saw a streak of 23 consecutive wins when leading at the end of the third quarter come to an end (last vs. Purdue, ’21). Iamaleava finished 16-of-28 for 156 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. LB Keenan Pili logged a game-high and career-best 14 tackles, while DE James Pearce Jr. played his best game of the season with a career-best nine tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss and one PBU. The Vols finished with 332 yards of total offense.
HEUPEL ERA:
Josh Heupel, the 2022 AP SEC Coach of the Year, is in his fourth season at UT. Since taking over a program that was 3-7 prior to his arrival, Heupel owns a 31-13 record and is 24-7 since the start of the 2022 season. The 24 wins since the start of 2022 are fourth-most in the SEC. He led UT to the program’s winningest two-year stretch (20 from 2022-23) since the Vols won 20 from 2003-04. Since 2018, he ranks sixth nationally among active FBS head coaches in victories with 59. The Vols have won four straight SEC home openers, and Heupel is 3-0 in SEC home openers having outscored opponents 124-73. UT beat South Carolina, 41-20, last season, defeated Florida, 38-33, in 2022 and beat South Carolina, 45-20, in 2021.
TOP 10 IN THE FBS:
Tennessee heads into the Florida contest ranked in the FBS top 10 in 11 major categories: third-down defense (1st – 22.1), total defense (2nd – 227.6), scoring defense (2nd – 9.4), rushing defense (2nd – 68.0), kickoff return defense (3rd – 5.0), scoring offense (4th – 46.0), yards per play allowed (4th – 3.81), total offense (5th – 519.0), rushing offense (5th – 267.2), first down defense (6th – 13.4) and punt return average (7th – 18.9). The Vols are the only team in the country boasting a top five scoring offense, scoring defense, total offense AND total defense. UT has surrendered the third-fewest offensive TDs in the FBS this season (4). Opponents have failed to score an offensive TD in 21 out of the last 24 quarters played vs. Tennessee. The Vols have not issued a TD in eight quarters at home this season. UT has not surrendered a first-half touchdown in six straight games, and the Vols are outscoring opponents 149-9 in the first half this season. UT has yet to allow an opponent reach the 20-point mark in 2024 and has held six straight opponents to under 20 points dating back to last season’s 35-0 Citrus Bowl shutout over Iowa.
Ole Miss (5-1, 1-1 SEC) at LSU (4-1, 1-0 SEC)
Series: LSU leads, 65-42-4
6:30 p.m. CT • ABC
Last: OM, 55-49 (2023 at Oxford)
Baton Rouge, La. • Tiger Stadium (102,321)
SiriusXM: 137/190 – 82
OLE MISS-LSU SERIES HISTORY
• This game marks the 113th all-time meeting between the Ole Miss Rebels and LSU Tigers dating back to 1894. • LSU holds a 65-42-4 advantage in the series, including a 43-24-1 mark in Baton Rouge. • The original record is 65-43-4 in favor of LSU, with Ole Miss’ 2013 victory in Oxford vacated due to NCAA ruling. • LSU is Ole Miss’ second-most played opponent behind Mississippi State, which will reach 120 meetings on Nov. 29. • Since the rivals started playing for the Magnolia Bowl trophy in 2008, LSU holds a 10-5 edge … Ole Miss’ win in 2013 was vacated due to NCAA ruling. • The home team has won 10 of the last 12 meetings on the field. • This will be the 12th all-time meeting with both the Rebels and Tigers simultaneously ranked, the second in a row and only the second since 2016 … LSU leads 7-4 in such games
LSU leads 65-42-4
* Original Record: 65-43-4
LSU In Baton Rouge: 43-24-1
LSU In Oxford: 11-9-1*
LSU In Jackson, Miss.: 9-6-2
LSU In Meridian, Miss.. 1-0
Ole Miss In New Orleans: 2-1
Ole Miss in Vicksburg, Miss.1-0
Mississippi Notes
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
• This is the 113th meeting all-time between Ole Miss and LSU dating back to 1894 … LSU is Ole Miss’ second-most played opponent behind Mississippi State, who the Rebels will play for the 120th time this November. • LSU holds a 65-42-4 advantage in the series, including a 43-24-1 mark in Baton Rouge … The original series record is 65-43-4 in favor of LSU, with Ole Miss’ 2013 victory vacated due to NCAA ruling. • Since the rivals started playing for the Magnolia Bowl trophy in 2008, LSU holds a 10-5 edge. • This will be the 12th all-time meeting with Ole Miss and LSU both ranked … LSU leads 7-4 in such games. • Lane Kiffin (100) and LSU’s Brian Kelly (190) are the lone active SEC head coaches with 100 career FBS victories. • The Rebels are 34-11 overall since 2021 and rank third among all SEC schools in wins in that span. • Ole Miss owns both the FBS’ top point differential (+219) and yardage differential (+1,856). • Ole Miss leads the FBS in rushing defense (63.7), yards per rush allowed (1.79), sacks (24), tackles for loss (63) and is tied with Texas for fewest touchdowns allowed (3). • Ole Miss has two of the top-five PFF pass rushers in DE Jared Ivey (3rd, 89.5) and DE Princely Umanmielen (6th, 86.9), and two of the top-five run defenders in DT JJ Pegues (1st, 91.4) and DT Walter Nolen (3rd, 90.6). • QB Jaxson Dart ranks top-five in six passing categories and is PFF’s current top-rated QB at a 91.8 grade … Dart is one of four active FBS QBs with 9,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards. • WR Tre Harris leads the FBS with 885 receiving yards, 173 more than the next best receiver nationally. • DT JJ Pegues owns four rushing TD this season, the most by a DL in at least the last 20 years (per ESPN). • Ole Miss owns the SEC’s fastest offense at 22.2 seconds per play (FBS No. 6).
TIGERS SCOUTING REPORT
LSU enters the week 4-1 overall and 1-0 in SEC play, and is ranked No. 10 in the AFCA Coaches Poll and No. 13 in the AP rankings. Their lone loss of the year came in their season-opener against No. 23 USC, a 27-20 loss at the Vegas Kickoff Classic. LSU ranks No. 16 in the FBS in total offense (468.2 ypg) and No. 7 in passing yards (337.0 ypg). Junior quarterback Garrett Nussmeier has thrown for 1,652 yards with 15 touchdowns, compared to just four interceptions. Four Tiger receivers have hauled in 20 or more receptions, including Kyren Lacy who has tallied five TDs this year. Caden Durham, a true freshman running back, is averaging 8.4 yards per carry, with three touchdowns on the ground. Helping supplement that offense is extreme discipline on both sides of the ball, as LSU is the SEC’s least-penalized team with just 15 flags this season. LSU ranks No. 4 in the country with just two sacks allowed through the season’s first five games. Defensively, the Tigers allowing just 353.6 yards per game. Linebacker Whit Weeks leads the Tigers with 41 total tackles, including four TFL. Defensive ends Bradyn Swinson and Sai’vion Jones both rank in the top 20 nationally in sacks, with five and 4.5 respectively
LSU Notes
Tiger Stadium To Host Top 10 Saturday Night Matchup This Week
LSU (4-1, 1-0 SEC), ranked No. 10 in the Coaches Poll and No. 13 in the AP Top 25, welcomes Top 10-ranked Ole Miss to Tiger Stadium on Saturday Night. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on ABC with Sean McDonough (pxp), Greg McElroy (analyst) and Molly McGrath (sideline reporter) on the call. LSU, winners of four straight, is coming off an open date. The Tigers beat South Alabama, 42-10, in their last action on Sept. 28 to run their winning streak to four-straight. Ole Miss, ranked No. 8 in the Coaches Poll and No. 9 in the AP Poll, is coming off a 27-3 win over South Carolina and stands at 5-1 overall and 1-1 in SEC play. LSU and Ole Miss meet as Top 10 teams for the first time since 1962 when the No. 6 Rebels beat the No. 4 Tigers, 15-7, in Tiger Stadium. Saturday’s game will mark the 19th Top 10 matchup in Tiger Stadium with LSU holding a 12-6 mark in those games. Saturday’s game marks the celebration of 100 years of Tiger Stadium with over 125 former players expected to be on hand for the contest. It’s also LSU’s Homecoming game. LSU has won 13 straight games in Tiger Stadium and third-year head coach Brian Kelly is 16-1 overall in Death Valley. LSU’s 13-game Tiger Stadium winning streak started on Oct. 22, 2023 when the Tigers beat then-No. 7 Ole Miss, 45-20. LSU enters the game averaging 35.2 points and 468.2 total yards per game (131.2 rushing, 337.0 passing). Defensively, LSU is allowing 21.6 points and 353.6 total yards per game (117.2 rushing, 236.4 passing). Junior QB Garrett Nussmeier leads the SEC in passing TDs (15). His 330.4 yards passing per game ranks No. 2 in the league and No. 5 nationally. In 5 games, Nuss has completed 138-of-198 passes for 1,652 yards, 15 TDs and 4 interceptions. Freshman Caden Durham leads the Tigers in rusher with 244 yards and 3 TDs on 29 carries. LSU has 4 players with at least 20 receptions led by TE Mason Taylor (28 rec., 280 yards, 1 TD). Kyren Lacy ranks No. 2 in the SEC in TD receptions (5). LBs Whit Weeks (41 tackles, 4.0 TFL) and Greg Penn (38 TFL) lead the Tiger defense. DEs Bradyn Swinson (5 sacks, 6 TFL, 2 FF) and Sai’vion Jones (4.5 sacks, 5.5 TFL, 2 FF, 1 FR) have the most impact plays for the Tiger defense.
QUICK NOTES
• LSU is 12-0 under Brian Kelly in Saturday night games in Tiger Stadium. Overall, LSU is 16-1 in Death Valley since Kelly took over in 2022. • LSU has won 13 straight in Tiger Stadium since dropping a 40-13 decision to No. 8 Tennessee on October 8, 2022. • TE Mason Taylor is the first player at his position in LSU history to catch 100 passes and have 1,000 receiving yards. Taylor has 102 career receptions for 1.042 yards and 5 TDs. • QB Garrett Nussmeier is coming off a career-best 409 passing yards vs. South Alabama. Nuss accounted for 4 TDs (2 rush, 2 pass) becoming only the 5th LSU player to accomplish that feat since 2000. • In its last 2 games, LSU has 3 scoring drives of 90-plus yards. LSU had backto-back TD drives of 96 and 92 yards vs. UCLA and followed that with a 99-yard drive vs. South Alabama. • LSU racked up 429 total yards of offense in the first half vs. South Alabama, the most for the program in a half since putting up 497 yards against Oklahoma in the 2019 CFP Semifinal. • LSU has recorded 13 sacks in its last 3 games (5 vs. South Carolina, 5 vs. UCLA and 3 vs. South Alabama). • 8 different players have scored on receiving TDs this year with Kyren Lacy leading the way with 5. Aaron Anderson, Zavion Thomas, and Caden Durham each have 2 TD receptions. • LSU’s starting offensive line has combined for 123 career starts at LSU. LT Will Campbell, a preseason All-America, and RG Miles Frazier lead the way with 31 starts apiece. RT Emery Jones (29), LG Garrett Dellinger (27) and C DJ Chester (5) round out the lineup. • LSU is riding back-to-back 10-win seasons, the first for LSU since going 10-3 in 2018 followed by a 15-0 mark and the national championship in 2019. LSU still reached the 10-win mark in both 2022 and 2023 after opening the season with losses.
Kelly vs. Kiffin
LSU coach Brian Kelly will face Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin for the sixth time on Saturday night. BK is 3-2 vs. Kiffin, which includes a 1-1 mark as head coach at LSU. Kelly and Notre Dame faced Kiffin and Southern Cal three times (2010, 2011, 2012) with Kelly and the Irish winning in 2010 and 2012. The following is a look at previous Kelly vs. Kiffin matchups:
Vanderbilt (3-2, 1-1 SEC) at Kentucky (3-2, 1-2 SEC)
Series: UK leads, 49-43-4
7:45 p.m. ET • SEC Network
Last: UK, 45-28 (2023 at Nashville)
Lexington, Ky. • Kroger Field (61,000)
SiriusXM: 374 – 160/192
THE SERIES
• Kentucky leads the all-time series against Vanderbilt, 49-43-4. • The Wildcats also lead the Commodores in Lexington, 26-16-2. • Despite losing their last matchup at Kroger Field, 24-21, in 2022, the Cats have won four of the last five meetings in Lexington. • The Cats have won seven of the last eight meetings altogether
Vanderbilt Notes
STORYLINES NEXT UP
• Vanderbilt goes on the road to the Bluegrass State to take on Kentucky at Kroger Field on Saturday with the action airing on SEC Network. • With Kentucky grabbing a win at Ole Miss on Sept. 28, both teams enter Saturday’s contest with victories in their last action. • Both Vanderbilt and Kentucky are receiving votes in both polls this week. Vandy received 26 votes in the AP Top 25 (Kentucky – 1) and four votes in the US LBM Coaches Poll (Kentucky – 12). • Vanderbilt trails Kentucky 49-43-4 in the all-time series since 1896. The visiting team has won each of the last two meetings with the Dores beating the Wildcats 24-21 in Lexington in 2022.
LAST TIME OUT
• Saturday’s 40-35 win over top-ranked Alabama at FirstBank Stadium was Vanderbilt’s first victory over a No. 1-ranked team, and the first top-five win in program history. • The Commodores were 0-60 against AP top-five opponents entering the contest with No. 1/2-ranked Alabama and it was Vandy’s first win over Alabama since the 1984 season. • Vanderbilt held Alabama to 35 points, the fewest points scored by the Crimson Tide this season.
VICTORY BREAKDOWN
• The Commodores converted 12-of-18 third-down opportunities leading to 42:08 of possession. • Vandy’s offense registered 26 first downs in the win, the most in a game this season. • Vandy took the opening drive down the field for a touchdown, the first touchdown allowed by the Alabama defense in the first quarter this season. • The Commodore defense picked up its second pick six of the season when Randon Fontenette grabbed a pass tipped by De’Rickey Wright and took it to the end zone. Alabama had not allowed a pick six since 2022. • Diego Pavia finished the game 16-for-20 with 252 passing yards and two touchdowns. His 80 percent completion rate was the highest mark by an opposing quarterback against the Crimson Tide since 2010, when Stephen Garcia finished with an 85 percent mark for South Carolina, per ESPN Research. • Pavia found Junior Sherrill for a 36-yard touchdown on a 4th-and-1 play that increased Vandy’s lead back to two scores in the third quarter.
RELIABLE
• Eli Stowers caught six passes for 113 yards in Vanderbilt’s victory over No. 1/2 Alabama, leading the team in both receptions and receiving yards. • Stowers became the first Vandy tight end since at least 1996 to have multiple games with 100-plus receiving yards in a season. • He ranks first among tight ends in the SEC, second among Power 4 tight ends and fourth among all tight ends in the country in receiving yards with 333. • Stowers became just the sixth tight end since 1996 to register 100-plus receiving yards in a game vs. Alabama
SIGNAL CALLERS WITH SPEED
• Diego Pavia’s 335 rushing yards this year are already the 18th-most in a season by a Vanderbilt quarterback (since 1965) and eighth-most since 1996. • At his current pace of 67.0 rushing yards per game, the best mark by a Commodore QB since at least 1996, he would finish the regular season with a quarterback school-record 804 rushing yards. • Chris Nickson owns the current single-season mark for a QB with 694 rushing yards in 2006. • Nate Johnson is currently 24 yards away from 100 rushing yards on the season. It would be the 14th time Vanderbilt had two 100-yard rushers at the quarterback position in the same season since 1965 and the first time in over a decade. It last happened in 2013 with Patton Robinette (214 yards) and Austyn Carta-Samuels (115 yards). • Vanderbilt has had a quarterback reach 100 rushing yards in all four seasons under Clark Lea after not having a signal-caller reach 100 rushing yards in the previous five seasons.
SPECIAL PLAYS, SPECIAL PLAYERS
• Vanderbilt is second in the SEC and eighth in FBS with 18.7 yards per punt return. • Vanderbilt’s special teams efficiency of 65.9 ranks 25th among FBS programs according to ESPN’s FPI. • In the win over Alcorn State, Martel Hight became the first Dore with 100-plus punt return yards since Jonathan Krause on Nov. 24, 2012 at Wake Forest (110 yards). Hight’s punt return for a touchdown was the first since Krause’s in that contest. • Hight is now the first Commodore to have 100-plus punt return yards in a season since the 2019 campaign, reaching the mark in just two games. • Jesse Mirco is averaging 44.6 yards per punt on the season. Mirco’s 69-yard punt vs. Alcorn State is tied for the 11th longest punt in FBS this season. • Brock Taylor drilled a program-record 57-yard field goal at Missouri on Sept. 21. Taylor has three makes of 50 or more yards this season, making him the first player on record to accomplish the feat at Vanderbilt.
Kentucky Notes
QUICK NOTES
• The Wildcats will play host to the Commodores for its 109th Homecoming game on Oct. 12. • The first one occurred on Nov. 25, 1915, as Kentucky defeated Tennessee, 6-0. Early records are incomplete, but UK has hosted a Homecoming game every year since 1946 and owns a 56-22 record in those contests. • Prior to the bye week in Week 6, Kentucky is coming off a road win at No. 6/5 Ole Miss, 20-17, on Sept. 28, which marked its highest-ranked triumph at an opponent’s Southeastern Conference campus stadium in program history. • It also marked UK’s highest-ranked triumph in the Mark Stoops era. • Against a defense that entered the game first in the nation in scoring defense (5.5ppg) and rushing defense (34.5ypg) and 12th in total defense (239ypg), UK’s offense totaled 20 points, 336 yards of total offense, 93 rushing yards and 243 passing yards at UM. • Against an offense that entered the game first in the nation in scoring (55ppg), total offense (670.8ypg) and passing offense (422.8ypg), and 12th in rushing offense (248ypg), UK’s defense held UM to 17 points, 353 yards of total offense, 261 passing yards and 92 rushing yards. • Two junior wide receivers, Barion Brown and Dane Key, both have eclipsed 100 career catches this season, becoming the 20th and 21st players in program history, respectively, to do so. • Both were instrumental parts of Kentucky’s win at Ole Miss, including Key’s second straight, 100-yard receiving game and Brown’s 63-yarder on 4th-and-7 to set up the Cats for their game-winning touchdown. • Kentucky’s defense is paced by steady senior linebacker D’Eryk Jackson, who leads the team with 26 tackles and three pass breakups, while graduate student defensive lineman Octavious Oxendine won SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week in Week 5 for his three tackles, including a career-high two quarterback sacks (-10 yards), and a QB hurry at Ole Miss. • Jackson has led UK in tackles in each of the last two seasons. • Three Wildcats received preseason All-America nods, including return specialist Barion Brown (Athlon, Phil Steele, Sporting News and USA Today), defensive lineman Deone Walker (AP, Athlon, ESPN, Phil Steele, Sporting News, USA Today and Walter Camp) and defensive back Maxwell Hairston (Athlon). • Kentucky football head coach Mark Stoops is the longest-tenured active head coach in the Southeastern Conference and the sixth longest-tenured active head coach in FBS. • Now in his 12th season at Kentucky, Stoops is one of only 19 head coaches who have coached at least 12 seasons at an SEC school since the league’s first season in 1933. • Kentucky had a unique win in the season opener against Southern Miss on Aug. 31. • Originally scheduled for 7:45 p.m. ET, the game was delayed by lightning and didn’t begin until 10:05 p.m. It was then stopped by a lightning delay at 11:51 p.m. before being called final at 12:25 p.m. The game ended with 9:56 remaining in the third quarter, as the Wildcats defeated the Golden Eagles, 31-0.
WINNIN’ IN THE SIP
• Kentucky defeated No. 6/5 Ole Miss in Oxford, Mississippi, on Sept. 28, 20-17, which marked its highest-ranked road win at a Southeastern Conference campus stadium in school history. • It also marked its highest Associated Press ranked road win since a victory at No. 4 Penn State in 1977. • It also marked its first win over an Associated Press ranked, top-six team since a victory over No. 1 LSU in 2007. • It also marked UK’s highest-ranked win in the Mark Stoops era.
KENTUCKY IN THE SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE
• The Wildcats have a 189-408-12 (.320) all-time record in Southeastern Conference games. • UK head coach Mark Stoops has a 31-57 (.352) all-time record in SEC games.
WILDCATS AGAINST RANKED TEAMS
• Kentucky has played 273 ranked teams in the Associated Press poll in its history, while the Wildcats are 53-215-5 in those games. • In ranked games this season, Kentucky defeated No. 6 Ole Miss, 20-17, on Sept. 28, and suffered a narrow defeat to top-ranked Georgia, 13-12, on Sept. 14. • Two of UK’s biggest wins in the Mark Stoops era have come in 2023 and 2024, including taking down No. 6 Ole Miss on, 20-17, on Sept. 28, 2024 and No. 9 Louisville, 38-31, on Nov. 25, 2023. • The UofL triumph was the highest AP-ranked win of the Stoops era, until the UM triumph took that spot on Sept. 28, 2024. • The Wildcats are 8-9 against their last 17 ranked AP-ranked teams, dating back to a win over NC State in the 2020 TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. • Since 2018, the Cats are 12-16 against AP-ranked teams.
Open: Arkansas (4-2, 2-1 SEC); Auburn (2-4, 0-3 SEC); Texas A&M (5-1, 3-0 SEC).
