Instant Reaction: Kentucky Wildcats Dominate Ohio Bobcats 41-6, Setting Multiple Records in Commanding Victory

This was the game we needed to see from the Kentucky Wildcats. There were still so many questions about this team going into week four, but they were finally able to showcase all phases of their team. There was an obvious concern when it came to the offense up to this game, and I posted about some other potential problems we could see against Ohio. It was great for the Wildcats to put these worries to bed and move into SEC play with an awe-inspiring and dominant performance today with a 41-6 victory. It was a record-setting day for Kentucky.

The first record we saw was set by kicker Alex Raynor, who kicked a 34-yard field goal in the third quarter for his 12 consecutive field goals. That streak isn't over either, as he didn't attempt another one after this entire game. Therefore, he could continue to extend that record next week against Ole Miss. Watch the field goal that set the record:

The second record that was set was by Maxwell Hairston, who goes into a tie for this record with a bunch of seasons left to take the record for his own. Hairston has tied the pick-6 career record with three. Watch that pick-6:

The official Kentucky Twitter account has some great pictures of that moment.

For the rest of the game, we finally had an explosion from the receivers' position. Going into the season, our receivers, with guys like Barion Brown, Dane Key, and Ja'Mori Maclin, were considered one of the best position groups. However, we haven't seen an impressive day from that group until today. Key was explosive in the first half and ignited this offense.

Even with Key's performance and the offense finally clicking the story of the game, the defense dominated all game long. They never let Ohio settle in; whenever Ohio would have a big play, it almost always was followed by three consecutive stops by the Wildcats' defense. Obviously, there was the pick-6, but the defense added a fumble recovery to that turnover list, too. They also limited a team averaging over 200 yards on the ground a game before this contest to only 113 and, once again, did not let one running back run for more than 100. The highest output came from Duncan Brune, who had 33 yards.

It was a good day for Mark Stoops and company, for the most part. There was only one really baffling moment, and that came at the end of the first half. He struggled to manage the clock effectively leading to the inability to close the half with a field goal.

It was the game we needed as we head on the road to face off against the Ole Miss rebels next week. We will need the defense to continue to play lights out and the offense to keep clicking and scoring in the red zone.