Kentucky's first team All American tight end James Whalen Jr. led the drive with a 45-yard reception and Kendrick Shanklin scored on a 3-yard run.
Kentucky's defense forced a punt on Syracuse's first possession and Kentucky drove inside the Syracuse 10-yard line but the drive stalled when Whalen was suddenly lost (for the remainder of the game) to injury, leaving halfway through the first quarter already having four catches for 79 yards.
Syracuse failed to convert after the second touchdown, leaving them with a 20–13 lead as Kentucky resumed possession on its own 4-yard line with 1:35 remaining and no time outs.
Kentucky drove to the Syracuse 41-yard line but the game's final play was an incomplete Hail Mary.
Syracuse's Keith Bullock had 20 tackles; Ryan Murphy had 15 and Marlon McCree 10 for Kentucky.