Kentucky’s defense needed one stop on third and long to secure a Gator Bowl win over Clemson.
The Tigers faced third-and-18 from midfield in the closing minute and converted, eventually scoring the game-winning touchdown with 17 seconds left to beat the Wildcats, 38-35.
The two teams combined for 42 points in the final quarter after Kentucky (7-6) held a 21-10 advantage through three quarters.
Kentucky’s Ray Davis had three touchdowns, including a 100-yard kickoff return, He added a 22-yard score and later hauled in a 60-yard scoring pass from Devin Leary, who passed for over 300 yards.
Running back Ray Davis had a one-yard TD run to give the Wildcats a 35-30 lead with under three minutes to play.
At Jacksonville
SCORE BY QUARTERS:
CU (9-4)…..3 7 0 28 – 38
UK (7-6).….7 7 7 14 – 35
Scoring:
First Quarter
CU – Jonathan Weitz, 39-yard field goal, 11:16
UK – Barion Brown, 22-yard run (Alex Raynor kick), 5:00
Second Quarter
CU – Phil Mahaf, 1-yard run Jonathan Weitz kick), 10:17
UK – Dane Key, 5-yard pass from Devin Leary (Alex Raynor kick), 7:44
Third Quarter
UK – Barion Brown, 100-yard kickoff return (Alex Raynor kick), 14:47
Fourth Quarter
CU – Phil Mahaf, 1-yard run (Troy Stellato, pass from Cade Klubnik), 14:56
CU – Jonathan Weitz, 28-yard field goal, 7:00
CU – Phil Mahaf, 29-yard run (Tyler Brown, pass from Cade Klubnik), 6:45
UK – Barion Brown, 60-yard pass from Devin Leary (Alex Raynor kick), 6:12
CU – Jonathan Weitz, 52-yard field goal, 4:20
UK – Ray Davis, 1-yard run (Alex Raynor kick), 2:39
CU – Phil Mahaf, 3-yard run (Josh Sapp, pass from Cade Klubnik), :17
Next up: Kentucky ends season 7-6.