Benny Snell Jr. celebrates after a first down in a game vs. Ole Miss on November 5, 2017, in Lexington, Kentucky. Snell broke the UK single-season touchdown record in a 44-17 loss to Louisville on Saturday. Photo by Keyli Chisesi (Go Big Blue Country)
LEXINGTON, KY.,
There are not many positives to be found in a 44-17 loss but the result should not take away from another record-breaking performance from Benny Snell Jr. The sophomore running back rushed for a career-high 211 yards on 29 carries, finding the end zone for both of Kentucky’s touchdowns. He became the sixth player in program history and the first since Artose Pinner in 2002 (224 yards vs. Vanderbilt) to rush for 200 yards in a game.
On a day where the Wildcats could not gain momentum, Snell accounted for 211 of the teams 338 yards of offense. His first-quarter touchdown was his 17th of the season, which tied the UK single-season rushing touchdown record that was previously set by Moe Williams in 1995. Snell sent Williams to second place with his 18th touchdown of the season on a 4-yard score in the fourth quarter.
Snell already broke records this season, as his 31 career rushing touchdowns are the most in school history, making him the first to reach 30 rushing touchdowns for a career. Earlier this season vs. Vanderbilt, he became the first player in program history to rush for 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons.
The 211 yards vs. the Cardinals is the most rushing yards by a UK player in the UK/Louisville series, surpassing Rafael Little’s 151 yards in 2007. Snell’s career rushing mark vs. Louisville is 252 yards, the highest career total for a UK player vs. the Cardinals. Also, his season total of 1,318 yards sets the school record for the most by sophomore and is the third most for a single season in program history.
If those stats aren’t enough, Snell’s 18 rushing touchdowns on the season equal 110 points, which sets the UK record for the most points in a single season. Austin MacGinnis, who scored 104 points in 2014, previously held the record.
Following the Mississippi State game, I wrote a column about the struggles of the UK rushing attack, specifically questioning if Snell was suffering from an injury. All he has done since then is run for 777 yards and 12 touchdowns in the final five games of the regular season.
Not only is he setting school records but he is also putting his name among the best to ever carry the football in the SEC. Snell’s 18 rushing touchdowns this season makes him the fifth player in SEC history to achieve that number during their sophomore season. Additionally, his 31 career rushing touchdowns and 2,400 career rushing yards, makes him the fourth and fifth players to do so before their junior season.
Even though the loss was brutal and embarrassing, Snell’s performance should not go unnoticed. Not only is he the best back the program has ever seen, he will be one of the best to ever play in the SEC. Kentucky has a special talent and fans should enjoy him why they can. Another season like this and Snell will be playing on Sundays.
