For the second consecutive week, Kentucky spent its Saturday night grinding out yards in near-monsoon conditions. However, unlike last week’s loss at Georgia, Kentucky’s efforts at home against Missouri had a happier ending. The Wildcats’ 29-7 win over the Tigers improved UK to 4-4 on the season and made a bowl game a relative likelihood for the Wildcats, given a fairly gentle November schedule following a bye next week. The victory was also Kentucky’s fifth straight over the Tigers. Here’s a review of the high and low points of UK’s pivotal upset win.

What I liked

1. Lynn Bowden’s rushing adventures

For the second time in three games, Kentucky’s receiver/quarterback Lynn Bowden carried his team to victory with a massive rushing game. Bowden set a career high — and an SEC-wide individual best for 2019 — with 204 rushing yards. His passing efforts looked noticeably sharper than at Georgia, but it was on the ground that Bowden paved Kentucky’s way to victory.

Kentucky’s Lynn Bowden runs for a career-high 204 yards in the upset win. Photo by: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

2. Calvin Taylor’s sack attack

Massive Kentucky defensive end Calvin Taylor had two sacks in the victory, increasing his season total to five. Beyond making plays for losses, Taylor and Kentucky’s defensive line kept Kelly Bryant uncomfortable throughout the game. Between Taylor’s pressure and the sloppy field, the Missouri passing game was a non-factor.

3. G’Day, Max Duffy

Kentucky’s Australian All-American candidate at punter had another career day. Duffy punted five times for an average of 52.4 yards per kick, and after an awkward snap exchange, he also converted his first career rushing attempt in the third quarter into a first down. Aside from Bowden’s big plays, Duffy may well be Kentucky’s most valuable player.

4. The redemption of Chance Poore

Freshman kicker Chance Poore had lost UK’s kicking job after missing several field goals. After walk-on Matt Ruffolo missed two extra points, UK coach Mark Stoops went back to Poore. Poore nailed a 43-yard field goal and a pair of extra points in his successful return to action.

5. The fans

Kroger Field’s attendance was listed at 48,446, but it took a hearty soul to sit through four hours of downpour to watch Kentucky grind out a win. During the school’s fall break, Kentucky’s fans demonstrated that they care about a lot more than just basketball.

What I didn’t like

1. Ball security

In the midst of his heroics, Bowden lost two fumbles. While it was a very wet night and everybody struggled to hold on to the ball, Kentucky has to avoid putting its defense in rough spots. Basically, the Wildcats will need to avoid costly turnovers in November.

2. Extra-point woes

Kentucky’s kicking issues have been costly this year. The latest chapter had Ruffolo missing the game’s first two extra-point attempts. While Poore returned to successfully convert three kicks, the question remains as to how steady Kentucky’s kicking situation is. With an offense that is already fairly risk-averse, special teams need to stay clean for UK to succeed.

3. The weather

After two consecutive games in downpours, Kentucky fans can be forgiven if they use the upcoming bye week to dry off. By the fourth quarter, Stoops may have been tempted to start rounding up two of every animal.