LEXINGTON — The No. 21 Texas Longhorns (5-2) managed to barely escape the Kentucky Wildcats (2-4) in overtime after the entire game was marked by offensive struggles and inconsistencies for yet another game.

The contest opened in Lexington as the Longhorns kicked the ball off to the Wildcats, who drove 59 yards down the field while taking almost six minutes off the clock, and then found themselves stuffed on a fourth-and-1 from Texas’ 16-yard line.

However, the Longhorns’ offense couldn’t manage anything as quarterback Arch Manning went 1-4 on the opening drive, which led Texas 18 yards down the field before it punted back to Kentucky.

The defense was locked in, though, and forced a quick three-and-out. But yet again, the offense was unable to move the ball effectively, as Manning completed just two of five passes, which forced the Longhorns to punt again.

Back-to-back punts from Kentucky and Texas followed before the Texas defense forced another three-and-out. Kentucky punted, and Ryan Niblett found a path and made his way while evading defenders. He made it all the way to Kentucky’s five-yard line, which put the Longhorns in prime position to score a 1-yard rushing touchdown with running back Tre Wisner.

Both teams possessed the ball twice before half, but neither was able to make anything happen, which led the Longhorns to go into halftime with a 7-0 lead and a chance to regroup before the third quarter.

After Texas went three-and-out to open the half, the Wildcats found their rhythm. An almost nine-minute-long drive killed most of the third quarter and ended with Kentucky kicking a field goal from 46 yards out to make it a 7-3 game.

The Longhorns responded with a field goal of their own, though, driving 40 yards in four plays to kick a 53-yard field goal.

Kentucky then went three-and-out, but so did the Longhorns. When the Wildcats received the ball again, it was apparent that they had regained their rhythm as they put together a drive that consisted of three plays of 10 yards or more that resulted in a touchdown to make it a 10-10 game with 12 minutes left in the fourth quarter.

Texas couldn’t manage, yet again, as they went five yards in three plays before punting back to Kentucky.

The defense held for another drive, allowing the Texas offense another chance to make something happen. However, the Longhorns’ offensive struggles persisted again, forcing Texas to punt again.

Texas’ defense held strong for yet another drive, though, and it forced another Kentucky punt. Niblett tapped into his magic again and returned the punt for 43 yards, placing the Texas offense on the Kentucky 42-yard line.

With the game on the line, the Longhorns locked in. A series of major runs, along with nice passes from Manning, assisted in the Longhorns running the clock down to one minute before kicking a 39-yard field goal.

However, when all thought the Wildcats were out, they proved they weren’t.

The Wildcats’ offense couldn’t be contained as they drove down the field in six plays and spiked the ball with 14 seconds left. Kentucky’s kicker, Jacob Kauwe, nailed the 45-yard field goal to tie the game at 13 with nine seconds left.

The Longhorns’ defense stole the spotlight in overtime again, as Kentucky received the ball to start, and although it made it to the goalline rather quickly with just one play, the Longhorns stuffed the Wildcats on the goalline four straight times.

It was good for Texas, since its offense received the ball at the 25-yard line and had been struggling all night. It was no different in overtime, as Texas went three-and-out before kicking a 45-yard field goal to win the game.

The game was rather tough for the Longhorns, who will have to hit the road for the fourth straight week to face a Mississippi State team in Starkville that will be coming off three straight losses.