The Kentucky Wildcats ran wild Saturday in a 23-21 win over the No. 23 NC State Wolfpack in the Gator Bowl at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida.
Neither team enjoyed much success throwing the ball in what was largely a defensive battle of attrition, but the Wildcats did plenty of damage in the running game, rushing for 281 yards as a team in the victory. The Kentucky defense was also highly impressive in holding NC State to 318 total yards and forcing three turnovers. Although Kentucky entered Saturday with a far worse record than NC State, it was battle-tested thanks to a difficult SEC schedule.