LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Mike Edwards had two takeaways leading to Kentucky's first two touchdowns, and the No. 20 Wildcats made several fourth-quarter defensive stops for a 34-23 escape of Middle Tennessee on Saturday.
Kentucky (8-3) ended a two-game slide but had to survive the Blue Raiders' rally within 31-23 early in the fourth. Wildcats senior linebacker Josh Allen sacked Brent Stockstill for a 7-yard loss on fourth down and set up Miles Butler's 32-yard field goal with 4:01 remaining.
A face mask penalty helped the Blue Raiders (7-4) reach the Kentucky 5-yard line in the final minute before consecutive sacks of Stockstill by Allen and Jamar Watson totaling 16 yards ended that final chance.