[Music] welcome to Lexington Kentucky the Bluegrass State and home to the Kentucky Wildcats and Big Blue Nation has turned out reved up and ready to go we've got a sensational matchup for you fans have been filing in and getting ready for this game as we'll see a squad from the ACC the Syracuse Orange taking on a team from the SEC the Kentucky Wildcats glad to have you with us for EA Sports college football I'm Rees Davis David poock and Jesse Palmer with me in the booth guys we are ready to Tee It Up [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Kentucky about to kick off to get things underway from inside the 10 yd line he'll bring it back he was looking for more Running Room but none to be found as he stopped at the 23 so Syracuse's offense will have the first possession of the game and they're LED out there by a man who will carry the ball plenty in this one guys well it's real simple he's the best player on their team they have got to force feed this guy the football game no doubt about it the offense goes through him excited to see how they've built this offense and how many different ways they can get him touches you know I know it seems like an easy pitch and catch but for the tight end there that route potentially changes if it's man coverage so good job by him knowing it zone I'm just going to sit down this is basically like a check down right let's just take the easy pitch and catch and keep this drive going trying to make that Rush think on the draw play here he's knocked down in the back field he'll lose a couple and they sniff that draw out with a draw unit you really have to sell that pass like you're going to throw the ball down the field but the defensive line the defense was not fighting if you could tell they were ready for it came got on the running back got him on the ground quick fast and in a hurt scanning the field it's McCord just a short pass to the tight end tackled but he has a first down man he had to get rid of that thing I don't even think he had time to find the laces when he picks up the first down yeah and that's a great job you know third and short the defense is bringing pressure he sees the pressure gets the football out and gets just enough for the first down Syracuse right back at it comes out throwing on first down fires to the tight end there to make the tackle but the big throw is good enough to give them a first down and that's why QBs love their tight ends so much right especially when they're athletic cuz they make short throws turn into long gains because of his ability after the catch it's so unique and special he is dominant in this offense Syracuse has a really nice drive going from the gun give on the inside man there's some big hitting going on in the trenches right now this defense they take a lot of pride in stopping the Run let's keep our eye on them throughout the course of the game and see if they can contain this running attack didn't get much on first down it's second and nine he's looking to throw nice defensive play to get a hand in there and knock it away listen a lot of times tips and deflections are because you got great eyes and vision on the quarterback you see him release the football break on it you tip that thing and make sure the receiver can't get they line up with some serious work to do if they want to convert this one on third down going up top oh did he find a hole in the defense and a pickup of better than 30 yards on that completion before the defense brings him down now I know it's early in the game but defensively after that play you know you have to tackle the catch when this guy gets the ball in his hands he is so dangerous after the fact so it's okay for him to make catches just got to get him to the ground quickly they'll throw it from the Red Zone grabbed over the middle it's Haynes he'll be stopped just short of the end zone but they'll have it first and goal and there was no question in that scenario that's where the quarterback was going he knew he had his receiver in a matchup that he liked running a route where he would find himself opening nice job between those two Syracuse comes to the line on first and goal they'll try to get it in with the run and how about that interior defense stuffing the run for nothing man nowhere to run on that play at all about all you can say is do better but that's the problem are they able to do better and that's why you keep trying things right keep trying to get on the perimeter run up the middle try different things to see what you do well with Jet Sweep pass strong firm tackle the first thing you have to do to make these plays successful offensively is I have to block the I got to get my speed to in space they didn't do a good job of getting that guy out there in space where he could really use his Jets nice job by the defense understanding it seeing it rallying to it and tackling that guy for a loss they want to power it in on the ground on Third and goal and to the endzone he goes touchdown Syracuse how impressive has this offense been just hogging the ball they've just been eating away at the clock they've been matriculating the football down the field and here they are are scoring a touchdown on their opening possession the opposing quarterback's like bro when am I going to get the ball when do I get a chance to take the field that was crazy he'll try to tack on one more exra point and the pat makes it 7 nothing so it's a 7 seveny touchdown drive and closed the deal with a three- yd touchdown run the kickoff team out there getting set set Kick on the move from inside is five didn't find any crease in that kickoff coverage and he'll be stopped at the 17 wild the wild cats offense will go to work for the first time today one way to mate the explosive capabilities he has on the outside is be physical with him and this dude will do that he will do that and you don't see a lot of offenses take the top off this D because of this guy roaming around in the middle of the field he is a true centered Fielder so this receiver is going to have to make plays M just does such a great job of getting guys on the ground a lot of people are in position but he makes plays so him versus a dynamic wide receiver on the outside will be a great match up and let's hold on just a minute here as you officials are going to have a second look so the officials take a closer look in the replay Booth will overturn the call he'll keep it himself just what they were looking for to get this drive rolling they're out to the 35 well this is one of the fastest quarterbacks in college football and that's why the option's a good idea because if he can get out in space and he has a chance to get downfield he is really difficult to tackle and he's very difficult to catch as you saw in that last play getting a first down quarterback on the keeper and they'll make the Stop and we are headed to the end of the first period guys we're at the end of the quarter and Syracuse has the lead we've played one before we move on let's have a look at the stats [Music] and they've swapped into the field and we'll get it going in the second tried to pound it on first down now back to the line looking to throw it's Vandergriff he's got it and they're able to force him out of bounds after a short pick up yeah and you see running backs in today's football they play wide receiver basically for you but you got to find a guy that you can throw it to and you know he's going to catch the ball consist they've got some work to do on this third and long from the 40 leaves it with the back and they're able to get a third down stop here see if they go for it on Fourth off facing Kentucky sends out the pting unit time we've seen their punt team this [Applause] afternoon boy they had a chance to track that thing down but it bounces into the end zone for a Touchback the orange have the ball back and ready to go to work on the run it's Allen into the pile maybe got one he stopped at the 21 and sticking to the run I tell you what a lot of teams that are really good are really stubborn they continue to run the football even with little success so this offense is going to continue to focus on running the football you can tell didn't get much on first down it's second and nine he'll try to pop the draw building momentum picking up a chunk of yardage moving the chains out to the 34 and for a draw play to be successful it's not just the quarterback that has to sell pass but also the off defensive line the tackles really letting their defensive ends Rush up field guards and centers passing their guys off at the last second and then running down the field trying to get hats on hats in the second level beautiful execution it'll be a draw and they try to run inside and there is nowhere to go stopping the run is about physicality it's about I'm bigger than you I'm stronger than you up front really nice job by the defense showing their strength bowing up stuffing the Run Syracuse right back at it he'll do it himself nice solid form tackle from this sophomore when the QB decided to keep it on that one and listen to me if you had his athleticism you'd want to keep it too almost every time they run these types of option plays but he's just going to have to do a good job of understanding when to hand it off when to pitch it and try to keep this defense on their heels and read his keys he's got a lot of talent just got to make sure he's making the right decisions moving forward getting to heat and he can't escape and down he goes it has been said that the other team's quarterback must go down and he must go down hard and he did and often is good too the most you can get to him but great job by the defense rushing the quarterback understanding pass and getting the big fell on the ground Syracuse will be forced to [Applause] punt he gets a block coverage team able to put a stop to that return at the 42 yd line we reach the two-minute warning and we have ourselves a ball game and they have a chance to take the lead here before the half quickly complete and he goes out of bounds after coming up with positive yardage there yeah when you get that man coverage most people are talk to have inside leverage so that out route's there if your QB can put some air on it and throw it outside of the guy but tight coverage but a really nice throw in that out rout that last completion sets him up on second down back to pass it's Vander grip unloads to the wide out complete to the left good solid pick up there now they can start to smell it with a first down at the 31 you got manto man coverage and running that curl route that ball has to come out you know you're going to get hit like you know you stopped your route he's going to be right there but does a great job securing the catch getting the first down offense threatening first and 10 from the 31 quick completion on the out he's one out of bounds but a big play on that one and it'll be a first down I love the anticipation on that throw by the QB on the out route you got to throw it before the receiver comes out of his break nice work and the wild cat will snap it on First and 10 on the Red Zone looking for a man he got it they get him stopped at the two but it'll be first and goal I'll tell you for this defense they're going to have to find a way to bracket the slot receiver because of how athletic he is they're going to need to make sure they've got linebackers and DBS surrounding this guy at all times and backed up first and goal this defense fighting to hold the lead and carry it to the locker room trying to pound it in and he takes it in for the score touchdown Kentucky and I love that this offense stuck to it stuck to the Run game didn't Panic they got down but they answer the Bell right before the half and they got this thing right where they want it now they can tie this football game and hopefully go into the half with a lot of [Music] moment ready to try the point after is on for the extra point splits those uprights right in half a very efficient five-way scoring drive and finish to deal with the short tou down run from the two after that latus answer tied things up just about set to kick it away again he'll start the return inside his five he was looking for more Running Room but none to be found as he stopped at the 23 the Syracuse offense heads back onto the field from the shotgun the inside K just couldn't get away from the tackle boy there wasn't much room to wiggle for that running back there none at all great job by the defense getting the Back Field quickly closing up all the holes Nowhere to Run got stuffed on first down it's second and 10 looking downfield it's MCC quick strike complete no chance to run but they still move it forward that's going to wrap up the first half here and now we join Kevin with a halftime update gentlemen what a pleasure it's been to watch these two teams thus far there in Lexington and a really competitive game so far I'm talking raer thin margins in the big statistical categories and while it may be a broken record turnovers are the name of the game the team that limits them the ones that win that turnover margin generally speaking are the ones that had the best chance to get that D with that said let's send it back to the guys at Kroger field Syracuse has it teed up ready to kick off and start this second half here he comes from inside his own five he was hoping for something a little more Dynamic but they get him on the ground at the 20 Kentucky sends the offense back out onto the field first drive of the second half always fun to watch you see what type of tweaks were made at the half especially when you're locked up in a ball game like this one yeah and it's been a good game I mean it's been a little bit of back and forth and a Wheeling out process and now once you get in the second half who's going to get aggressive P who's going to take some shots try to make some plays and really go for it yeah it's interesting I think as play callers right now you learn a lot about these coaching staffs with respect to who does make the best adjustments there's a lot of coaches that believe we're just going to be who we are we're going to keep doing well what we do we're just going to do it better but then there are others that tweak things a little bit on offense and on defense we're going to find out here that play just never had a chance they knock him down for a loss of five it is so easy when you're a defensive player when you watch a little misdirection or the ball go one way to turn and to run that's not my job my job is to stay home the defense have did a good job of that defense stayed home made the play on Third and long you'll have to turn it loose deep complete downfield and he gets it to the 45 yd line and that'll be a first down man this offense is so dangerous Rees they've got dudes all over the field that can make plays there's a big gainer in the pass game you get a chunk of yards like that now the defense is really on its heels now a first down from the 45 yd line out of the shotgun they go to the ground at the 45 on it way hit the afterburners kid riing off a huge chunk of yardage and he's got it just outside the 10 of the 11 every time he touches the ball you can feel the excitement from this home crowd cuz Palmer He Can Go the Distance with that game breaking speed you're right David he's a special town I'll tell you these fans they come here to see this guy play cuz he has game breaking speed stuff you can't coach and saw it on that play the wild cats have their offense in high gear might as well run him until they stop him he's got it again he pushes his way down to the four as they get closer and closer keep pounding away at this defense and make them play the run if you can get this many a junk they're going to have to commit more guys to the Box more guys to the run then you open it up for the passing operating in the Red Zone here on second down the give from the gun he pushes it forward all the way to the 2yd line really need to pick up this conversion and avoid having to settle for the field goal trying to pick it up on the ground and boy is he close to that first down maybe just a couple of inches short well the defense got the stop there on Third and one let's see if they can do it again here on Fourth and inches David I just got to find a way to fall forward be physical we work on this all week you know you're going for it on fourth down now on fourth down they'll send out the field goal unit they're on the left has you'll have no trouble with the distance but that angle may give him an issue it's good and that was dead solid perfect and with that field goal they now have the lead well you're always going to wonder what would could have should have happened on Fourth and inches had they gone for it but with this kicker I like taking three points and putting it on the board [Music] they were able to get a field goal on the board and now they'll kick it away he'll bring it out from inside his own 10 he was hoping for something a little more Dynamic but they get him on the ground at the 20 the orange have the ball back and ready to go to work and in a low-scoring game like this one David every possession is magnif F and I think more than anything it just gets frustrating and you got to put that behind you you got to see what this defense has been doing to be so successful power now use it against him yeah David I think for a play caller this is tough right it's like you have to have the perfect play on just to get a first down in these types of games I think you're just trying to get guys out in space see if a dude can break a tackle maybe that generates an explosive play and it breaks this trend catch in the middle it's gadon and oh he was off to the the races after the catch and they finally drag him down hey man you're going to have to bring a lot of hats to the party to get this guy down these big tight ends they do not go down easy he's able to make one guy Miss break a tackle pick up some extra yardage Syracuse right back at it the give to the back he'll take four y yards on first down every time second and six you see they need more runs like that it's just been so few and far between defensively they've been in position they've been winning their one-on-one battles getting off of blocks and rallying to the ball carrier this defense has done a nice job slowing down the Run game thus far to the air it's mcord using the quick game and he was on his way and they get him down at the 30 we know this defense loves to play a lot of Zone coverage so you're seeing this offense now attacking that they're letting the receivers find the soft spots in the zones so they can advance the football as they get set to snap at time winding down here in the quarter guys that's the end of the quarter and Kentucky has the lead they're sitting in a strong position here with the lead lead let's take a look at our game summary when you're dealing with a deficit like this it's all about somebody stepping up to make a play and you might as well start here in the fourth quarter out of the gun the inside K drives ahead for three to the 27 yd line you know it's so important for offenses to want to keep third Downs manageable the way you do that is by having success like that running the football on first down got three on first down it's second and seven they'll go right back to the Run worked it down to the 22 yd line G him five on the carry I think that was an example of the offensive coordinator trying to help out his quarterback he's trying to keep these third Downs manageable you know you throw the ball on second down and incomplete now You' set up third and long and now you're set up to fail Ball's at the 22 third and short coming can the defense forc them to settle for a field goal they'll stick to the ground looking for the marker he's got enough to give Syracuse to first down and I don't care if I get it by two by 20 by 30 by 40 I I just I just want to get the first down understanding the situation understanding where the sticks are doesn't have to be sexy but I got to make sure I get to that stick get to to the first down Mark Syracuse ready to go to work with another first down they think there's room to run to the right here there to stop him after a pick up of three it's down to the [Applause] 15 Syracuse right back at it they'll keep it on the ground relying on the Run he gets a couple before he's knocked down Ball's at the 13 boy they'd love to pick up this conversion and go to work with a first and goal def def to the air it's mcord get it out on the screen and they wrap him up but not before he gets enough on the catch for the first down and that's a really good example of a quarterback in his intended target both being on the same page the timing was almost perfect on that play that's why they were able to convert the third down now setting up first and goal so now the opportunity to take the lead with a first and goal here takes a snap wants to throw snags it several Defenders get an assist on that tackle I like the decision by the quarterback here just get the ball out of your hands get it to your playmaker a lot of times he'll dance and make even bigger plays than he did here but it was still a positive game we have reached a two-minute warning and time is of the essence that this offense is going to make a play defense going all in to stop the run they'll run it left looking for the End Zone here they bring him down and he's going to lose a yard on that one and with the stuff there Jesse on second down this little third to midrange you got two downs what are you thinking here maybe getting your quarterback out on the perimeter and giving him a run pass option see if you can get the defense in a bind a huge chance for points here on Third and goal and if they can get it in we might have our touchdown orange they've got the lead here in the fourth touch what a great job by this off and listen I judge offenses by what they do in the clutch in those big moments in right before the half in the fourth quarter late in the game just like right here you need a score you got to go take the lead they do everything they can now defense you're up I need you to get me a stop setting up for the pat when he gets this late every Point matters and the extra point is good and every Point counts it's now a fourpoint lead in the fourth the score Syracuse about to kick it away after scoring the touchdown down number 15 set to kick this one away he'll bring it back from inside his spot he was looking for some Running Room but not much to be found as he stopped at the 18 Kentucky has it back in the Big Blue offense takes the field and to settle for the Chip Shot field goal last time Jesse they'd love for this one to pay off bigger yeah it just comes down to execution to did a nice job out in the field stalled a little bit once they got down to the goal line so they just need to be a little a little bit more crisp here yeah and listen I think the first part was the most important part you got to put the drive together first to get down there now when we get down there focused on execution and getting six points and it goes through his hands oh he had an explosive play right there for the taking but couldn't reel it in after the incompletion let's see if they go back to the air on second and 10 from the 33r three back to throw it's Vander grip he got a hand in there knocks it away incomplete how nice is it as a defense when you've got a corner that can play on an island and be as dominant as this guy has been all game long we just saw another great example of it right there breaking on the ball and knocking it away now facing a third and long from the gun wants to pass looking down the middle got his man downfield and he was on his way gets it all the way to the 38 they immediately call timeout timeing to preserve every second they can to try to rally here late back to the air one more time makes the catch it's brown he's like a pinball with Attitude out there hammering ahead to the 30 well they don't pick up the first down there but in this two-minute situation they need their quarterback to be decisive to be accurate and make really good decisions and we'll see what he's able to do as they inch closer and closer towards the goal line he'll spike the ball to try to save every precious second he can coming [Applause] [Applause] up they've worked it down to the 30 this defense Standing Tall trying to force a field goal try looking to throw for it floating away and the pressure will get there the sack down he goes in the waiting moments that could be a costly play plays like that are the type of plays that win you games bottom line here we are it's late it's a close game it's a huge third down and somebody's got to step up and make a play on fourth down looking to pass he's got it they convert the offense gets the timeout 12 ticks left on the clock that's a great example of the receiver knowing exactly where the first down marker is he got the depth he needed to get so once he was able to make the catch he already knew he had it now a fresh set of downs just had to get rid of that one good job to fight another play and now I'm just saying one more stop come on guys we know they're passing the football we know they got to get to the end zone for them to beat us we are not going to let that happen we're going to play deep to shallow tackle them in bounds this ball game's over one more play for this defense looking for a man it's Vander grip looking for the score and he was trying to pay off this Red Zone opportunity but it's incomplete well I know hasn't been a tremendous day statistically for this quarterback but his decision making has been good enough to win this game hasn't thrown a lot of TD so far but when things aren't open he throws it away like on that play right there he's not putting his team in a bad spot and that's why they still have a shot to walk out of here with a double unleashes to the end zone touchdown Wildcats and in the final moment they taking the lead man what a great job by this offense EX shuting down the field using all of the clock being smart getting the Big Score late and I think that one should do it [Music] [Applause] [Music]