Kentucky Football’s wide receiver core was back intact Saturday vs. LSU with DJ Miller off the injured list. That meant Kenny Minchey would have all of his pass-catchers healthy as the Wildcats welcomed the Tigers to Kroger Field, hoping to pull off the big-time upset over Lane Kiffin’s Bayou Bengals.
However, Kentucky’s Nic Anderson would eventually leave the game after a solid start with three catches and 29 yards with an unfortunate shoulder injury, but other guys stepped up in his absence.
One
player who made his presence felt during Saturday’s momentous win was Arkansas transfer Ja’Kayden Ferguson.
Coming into the game, Ferguson had only three catches for 19 yards in the blue and white. But on this night, he finished with three catches for 43 yards, helping the offense stack yards and eventually knock off the No. 10 LSU Tigers.
Ferguson made one of the most improbable catches we’ve ever seen from a Kentucky Wildcat. With about 7:30 remaining in the fourth quarter, he climbed the ladder and caught a pass, but while falling, he got his elbow to touch the inbounds just before his body went out of bounds, making a huge completion and helping keep the chains moving for the offense.
It wasn’t that long ago that Ferguson was a big-time high school recruit who made highlight-reel catches that showed he was capable of doing what he did to the Tigers.
But the most important plays came on the final drive of regulation. Trailing by three with 1:29 remaining, Ferguson would make two catches on the drive for 23 yards to help set up an easy field goal, and the Cats would go on to win in overtime.
In a game where Darby struggled a bit early and the offense needed other pass catchers to step up, Ferguson filled that role perfectly for Kentucky and showed he’s ready to make plays when his number is called, even in crunch time.
Hopefully, this is just the start of what will be a breakout season for the sophomore out of Houston.
