Being a UK Football fan, has never been an easy path to travel. There are so many examples to cite here, I could write a month worth of posts dissecting the different levels of disappointment. However, is the light at the end of the tunnel actually -- finally -- getting nearer?

If last night was any indication, the answer is really starting to look like a resounding yes. Last night, in front of a 74,000-plus energetic fans -- not to mention a team that had some weapons previous UK teams have struggled with -- the University of Kentucky football team went into Fayetteville, Arkansas and beat a team many thought they wouldn't.

Proving the Colin Cowherds and Kirk Herbstreits of the world wrong, UK took control of the game in the 4th quarter, scoring 21 points while limiting the Razorbacks to a big, fat zero. There were so many things that stood out to me during the game last night, I'm not sure where to start... How about with UK's much-maligned defense?

After letting the ridiculous duo of Felix Jones and Darren McFadden RUN ALL OVER THEM IN THE FIRST HALF and needing a Trevard Lindley fumble recovery touchdown away from being potentially out of the game, UK came out in the second half and held the Razorbacks scoreless -- save an 11-second (actual clock time) 9-point Hog explosion that could've buried the Cats.

Truthfully, Arkansas' second-half scores had nothing to do with the UK defense, so they did, in fact shut them out.

The second half accolades don't stop there either. In the first half, both McFadden and Jones surpassed the 100-yard rushing mark. Both players finished the game 173 and 133, respectively. While they did give up a lot in cumulative yards, their performance, especially in the half that mattered elicited this response from McFadden:

"They were very physical... one of the most physical teams in the SEC."

Leading the way on this stalwart-like performance was, of course, Wesley Woodyard, who had 17 tackles and a forced fumble. However, the defense is not all Woodyard and not by a long shot. Lindley is a legit SEC cornerback and his play at the end of the first half was huge. Linebacker Johnny Williams and end Jeremy Jarmon had huge games as well.

Helping the defensive cause was Arkansas quarterback Casey Dick. For as good as Jones and McFadden were, Dick was as bad. If the Razorbacks had a competent quarterback to go with their unfair backfield, they'd be right in the middle of the LSU/USC/Florida talk as well... Sorry Hog fans.

Woodson Breaks Record
Andre' Woodson broke Trent Dilfer's D1 record of attempted passes without an interception in the second quarter last night. Woodson has now attempted 296 passes without being picked. The previous record was 271.

Woodson's play in the fourth quarter also helped lead the 21-point charge with a touchdown pass to Keenan Burton and rushing for another on a quarterback sneak. His numbers: 21-39 for 265 yards and 2 big touchdowns, both of which went to Burton.

Because of his play, Dre' has also found his name mentioned in the early Heisman conversation. For a good read on that very subject, check this post out.

Can I get a Derrick Locke?
In case you haven't heard of him, Derrick Locke is a true freshman running back who was forced into action in the fourth quarter when the first three-string running backs, Rafael Little, Tony Dixon, and Alfonso Smith, suffered various injuries. How did the freshman speedster respond? By rushing nine times for 48 HUGE yards and the other fourth quarter touchdown. Not only that, but on three of his first five or six runs, Locke took hits from the Arkansas defense that were worthy of being on "Jacked Up."

After these hits, Locke just got up and returned to the huddle. No jawing, no demonstrative return of the ball to referee or anything resembling that behavior. No, Locke just took the next hand-off and produced positive yards with his play.

The emergence of Locke tells me a couple of things: we are fine at running back and it's going to be fun to watch him and Smith grow and compete for carries. Figuring out who is going to be starting is going to be a great problem to have...

Keenan Burton watch
After a zero receptions in the first half, Number 19 came out in the second half and almost immediately made his presence known by capping off a 12-play, 80-yard drive with a 15-yard touchdown. The fun didn't stop there. In the fourth quarter, trailing 27-28, Woodson found Burton with a sweet toss between two defensive backs for a 32-yard go-ahead touchdown on a free play from an Arkansas offsides.

The penalty was declined.

With his two touchdown catches, Burton moved into second place in the all-time UK record books with 20. He trails leader Craig Yeast by 8.

OK, it's getting late and I'm going to stop here. I'll be back tomorrow with some closing thoughts and hopefully some pics or vids from the game. Thanks a million for all the comments in my last post. It was a great night to celebrate. ;)

Until later, GBB!!!

Thanks to 21 4th-quarter points, the University of Kentucky continued its feel-good ride by defeating the Arkansas Razorbacks in a TOUGH road game by the score of 42-29...

The majority of UK's 2nd-half damage was provided by Keenan Burton, who had 4 HUGE catches in the second half -- 2 that went for touchdowns and another that went for a 2-point conversion. Aiding UK's cause was Arkansas quarterback Casey Dick who was 13-28 for 158 meaningless yards and 2 interceptions.

Much like last week, I'll be back tomorrow with a full write-up and all the pics you want to see. Before I go, I do wanna give a shout-out to my boss, Aaron Chronister, who is a big Arkansas fan:

HOW 'BOUT THEM CATS???!!!???

Until tomorrow, GBB!!!

Apparently, a 57-yard, game-winning touchdown catches can single-handedly destroy what most considered a promising football program...

Final score of the Louisville Cardinal/Syracuse Orange football game, which took place in The Ville:

Syracuse - 38
Louisville - 35

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is the same 'Cuse team that was 0-3 and was having trouble scoring the ball. Not today. Apparently, the Cardinal hangover was quite severe. Here's a little reminder of what tore the Cardinal Football Nation asunder:

Considering UK has to match-up with Arkansas in a couple of hours, I probably shouldn't be running my mouth... but it's too much fun. ;)

GBB!!!

Now we get to see just how well the University of Kentucky football team handles success, something that's not an everyday occurrence in the Commonwealth. After last Saturday's victory over arch-rival Louisville, UK Football has a nice little buzz about it. However, the Arkansas Razorbacks are eager to knock these good vibes out.

In an interesting twist, the ranked team in this match-up is not Arkansas. On Monday, UK found itself ranked 21st in country, the first time the football team has been ranked since 1984. The Hogs, on the other hand, found themselves outside of the Top-25 following their 38-34 loss to Nick Saban's Alabama rebuilding project -- a fact that undoubtedly fuels the Razorback fire as the Cats come to town.

On the surface, this match-up will probably be billed as Darren McFadden, the do-anything-and-everything running back for Arkansas against Andr