Kentucky wins

FOR KENTUCKY DEMOCRATS, the feeling is all too familiar. A vulnerable Republican incumbent faces a popular challenger—only to narrow the polling gap in the final days of the campaign. This happened when Allison Lundergan Grimes challenged Mitch McConnell for a Senate seat in 2014 and when Amy McGrath challenged Andy Barr for a closely-watched House seat last year. In both cases the Republican won. That may be repeated in the state’s off-cycle governor’s race on November 5th. The result will also be seen as a referendum on President Donald Trump’s re-election chances next year. For a while, the sitting Republican governor, Matt Bevin, looked eminently deposable. Mr Bevin has long been considered the country’s most unpopular governor—although his social conservatism and Tea Party roots ought to have endeared him to voters in one of America’s Trumpiest states. His unpopularity is in part due to his evident bad temper and a particularly bruising … [Read more...] about The election for Kentucky’s governor will be a referendum on Donald Trump

No. 13 Kentucky (5-0, 3-0 SEC) at Texas A&M (3-2, 1-1 SEC), 7 p.m. ET (ESPN). Line: Texas A&M by 5. Series record: Tied 1-1. WHAT’S AT STAKE? The Wildcats seek their first 6-0 start since beginning 10-0 in 1950. They can also become bowl eligible with a win and keep pace with No. 2 Georgia in the SEC East. The Aggies seek consecutive conference victories after beating Arkansas 24-17 last week. KEY MATCHUP Aggies QB Kellen Mond vs. Kentucky’s pass rush. The sophomore has completed 60 percent of his passes for 1,221 yards and seven touchdowns against four interceptions. He’ll face a Wildcats defense that sacked South Carolina’s Jake Bentley four times and intercepted three passes. Kentucky has registered nine of its 12 sacks in league play. PLAYERS TO WATCH Kentucky: LB Josh Allen. The senior leads the SEC with six sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss. He had eight tackles (four for loss), three sacks, a forced fumble and quarterback hurry against South … [Read more...] about No. 13 Kentucky, Texas A&M meet for first time in 65 years

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (AP) — Taveion Hollingsworth scored 23 points and had a dunk in the final seconds to put the finishing touches on Western Kentucky’s 86-79 overtime win over previously unbeaten Arkansas on Saturday. The Hilltoppers (7-3) pulled away in the extended period as Arkansas (8-1) made just 2-of-7 shots from the field in the final five minutes. The Razorbacks entered the night receiving votes in the last top 25 poll. Arkansas was outscored 13-6 in overtime and committed four of its 16 turnovers in the extra period. The Razorbacks’ loss leaves Auburn as the last unbeaten team in the Southeastern Conference. “You can’t play well on the road and in a building that’s full like this and turn the ball over 16 times,” Arkansas coach Eric Musselman said. “Certainly not happy about tonight.” Hollingsworth also added nine points and six rebounds while Jared Savage (14 points), Josh Anderson (15 points), Camron Justice (12 points) … [Read more...] about Western Kentucky hands Arkansas its first loss, 86-79 in OT

Virginia Tech (8-4, ACC) vs Kentucky (7-5, SEC), Dec. 31, noon ET (ESPN) LOCATION: Charlotte, North Carolina. TOP PLAYERS Virginia Tech: QB Hendon Hooker threw for 1,445 yards and 11 TDs and ran for 306 yards and five touchdowns this season for the Hokies. Kentucky: WR-turned-RB Lynn Bowden Jr. rushed for 1,235 yards and 11 touchdowns this season and caught 30 passes for 348 yards and one score. He ran for 244 yards and four TDs in a 45-13 win over Louisville on Nov. 30. NOTABLE Virginia Tech: This is the school’s 27th straight bowl appearance, the longest current streak in the nation. Kentucky: The Wildcats won three straight games, and four of their last five, to end the regular season. LAST TIME Kentucky 14, Virginia Tech 7. (Oct. 31, 1987) BOWL HISTORY Virginia Tech will be making its second appearance in the Belk Bowl, previously defeating Arkansas 35-24 in 2016. The game marked the Hokies’ largest comeback victory in school history, roaring back from a 24-0 halftime … [Read more...] about Virginia Tech to meet Kentucky in Belk Bowl in ACC-SEC clash

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky quarterback Terry Wilson will have an MRI on his left knee after he left Saturday night’s 38-17 victory against Eastern Michigan with an injury sustained on a horse-collar tackle. Wildcats coach Mark Stoops didn’t have specifics on the severity of Wilson’s injury. But after the game he said, “Anybody that gets carted off on a cart like that and they put his knee in that deal doesn’t look good, right?” Wilson ran for a 2-yard touchdown late with 5:01 remaining in the third quarter before being injured. Eagles defensive lineman Turan Rush tackled the junior on a 19-yard run to the EMU 44 late in the third quarter and received a personal foul penalty for the hard tackle. Kentucky was called for illegal formation on the same play as penalties offset. Wilson was briefly on his knees before laying on the turf to be observed by team medical personnel. His left leg was placed in a brace and he was lifted onto a cart that … [Read more...] about Kentucky QB Terry Wilson will have MRI on injured left knee