3 takeaways from Kentucky's sluggish win over Eastern Kentucky

Kentucky had a rough start against Eastern Kentucky as the Wildcats dealt with a blocked punt, a turnover-on-downs to end an 11-play drive and a tie game at halftime.

But the Cats recovered to win, 28-17.

Before the game, coach Mark Stoops recalled the special relationships he has on the EKU staff, including 2 former players. But once the game began, it was a troubling sign, as the Colonels look much improved from the team that struggled last week in a 66-13 loss to Cincinnati. Much of the problem for UK was EKU converted on 3rd down at a 50% clip most of the game.

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Here are our 3 takeaways from the game:

Another slow start

Last week against Ball State, Kentucky led just 7-3 after the first quarter, but managed to get 20 unanswered points in the second quarter. The Wildcats didn’t have a similar response this time. The Cats produced the fewest first half points scored in a home game against a non-Power 5 opponent (7) since Oct. 3, 2015, and that also came against Eastern Kentucky with 7 points.

The Colonels’ 6th-year QB Parker McKinney had 93 passing yards and a 14-yard rushing TD at halftime as they sought their 8th all-time win against an FBS team.

By halftime, UK suffered from penalties, turnovers and other mistakes. The Cats had 6 penalties for 50 yards and an interception.

And while the Cats bounced back, the Colonels didn’t go down without a fight. They drove 75 yards to pull within 21-17 of Kentucuky on a perfectly-executed 9-yard pass with 12:04 left in the game.

Tayvion Robinson shines

Tayvion Robinson had a big day for UK, as he produced a pair of touchdown catches, and also turned in a 56-yard run. That set up a 13-yard touchdown pass from Devin Leary to Barion Brown. That lifted UK up to a 21-10 score with 1:47 left in 3rd quarter. Overall he had 5 catches for 80 yards by early in the 4th quarter.

What time is it? Touchdown @RobinsonTayvion time! ⏰

? – SECN+: https://t.co/AZroBUa9V0 | ESPN+: https://t.co/oZJzEQKJEK pic.twitter.com/qKhhTkQoII

— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) September 9, 2023

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The second Robinson score came with 5:47 remaining in the 3rd quarter and was UK’s first lead of the day.

Barion Brown shows versatility again

EKU coach Walt Wells joked early in the week about how the Colonels would try to contain Barion Brown. But the versatile speedster for UK had a 36-yard punt return and a 20-yard kickoff return to go with a handful of catches for 51 yards and a TD by late in the game.