No. 21/17 Football outlasts Kentucky in overtime, 16-13

Saturday, October 18

Lexington, Ky.

6 p.m. CT

University of Texas

5-2 , 2-1

Kentucky

2-4 , 0-4

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Texas

Kentucky

Mason Shipley

No. 21/17 Football outlasts Kentucky in overtime, 16-13

10.18.2025 | Football

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Postgame Notes

Shipley delivers game-winning 45-yard field goal

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Mason Shipley connected on a 45-yard field goal to lift No. 21/17 Texas to a 16-13 overtime victory over Kentucky on Saturday night at Kroger Field at Commonwealth Stadium.

The Longhorns (5-2, 3-1 SEC) opened the extra period by denying the Wildcats (2-4, 0-4 SEC) on a pair of rushing attempts from the 1-yard line, setting the stage for Shipley's heroics.

The senior's game-winner marked the first-ever walk-off field goal in overtime by a Texas player. Shipley also converted on a 39-yard attempt and a season-long 53-yard kick. His 39-yard field goal with 57 seconds remaining in regulation vaulted the Longhorns in front, 13-10.

Texas' defense stood tall all evening, holding Kentucky to a season-low 13 points. The Longhorns blanked the Wildcats in the first half, yielding the lone touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. posted a game-high 12 tackles and collected his second career interception. Edge Colin Simmons recorded a career-best three sacks, mounting a sack for the fourth straight game. Simmons also forced a fumble in the victory.

Defensive back Michael Taaffe matched a career-best 10 tackles, highlighted by two stops on the final defensive stand. Meanwhile, defensive back Jelani McDonald notched a career-high nine tackles and two tackles for loss.

Special teams proved pivotal for the Longhorns, as Ryan Niblett returned a pair of punts for a combined 88 yards to give Texas possession in plus territory.

Following a defensive battle across the first 20 minutes, Niblett sparked the Longhorns with a 45-yard punt return to 5-yard line. Two players later, Quintrevion Wisner punched it in from 1-yard out, scoring for the third time in as many games.

Texas' defense continued to showcase its prowess, forcing a turnover on the next possession. With the Wildcats driving near midfield, Hill Jr. corralled his second career interception to quickly end the threat. The Longhorns have recorded an interception in 11 of their last 12 games, including six straight contests.

After Kentucky nailed a field goal on its opening-possession of third quarter, the Longhorns quickly responded.

Texas marched into Wildcat territory behind a 31-yard completion from Arch Manning to Emmett Mosley V, advancing to the Kentucky 39-yard line. Shipley capped off the series with a season-long 53-yard field goal at the 2:05 mark in the third, extending the lead to 10-3.

Kentucky evened the score at 10-10 early in the fourth quarter, when quarterback Cutter Boley scrambled up the middle for a 16-yard touchdown with 12:04 remaining.

Shipley pushed the Longhorns back in front in the final minute, drilling a 39-yard kick, before the Wildcats answered with a game-tying 45-yard field goal of their own in the final seconds of regulation

Texas' defense opened overtime with a crucial goal-line stand, stopping Kentucky on four consecutive plays from inside the 3-yard line to keep the game tied. Hill Jr. and fellow linebacker Liona Lefau combined for key tackles, while Taaffe halted the Wildcats at the 1-yard line on fourth down.

On the ensuing possession, Shipley connected on a 45-yard field goal to give Texas a 16-13 overtime victory.

The Longhorns travel to Starkville, Miss., to face Mississippi State at Davis Wade Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 2:30 or 3:15 p.m. CT on ESPN or SEC Network.