Kentucky controlled the momentum at the Citrus Bowl from the very first series when coach James Franklin chose to attempt a fake punt on Penn State’s side of the field. The attempt failed, Kentucky scored 7 points moments later on a short field.
After weathering the storm that the decision created along with some solid play by the Wildcats, Penn State was down just 10-7 late in the first half, facing 4th and short at the 42. Franklin trusted his defense to get the ball back, so he punted the ball away. Three plays later, Trace McSorley was back in, leading a drive that would end in a missed field goal that could have tied the game at the half.