LEXINGTON, Ky. - The football team moved the ball almost effortlessly Saturday at Kentucky, but failed to convert offensively when it needed it most.

The Chippewas had 558 total yards and had 27 first downs but couldn't get a two-point conversion to tie the game and eventually lost 45-36 to Kentucky at Commonwealth Stadium.

Redshirt freshman wide receiver Bryan Anderson dropped a two-point conversion that would have tied the game at 38 with less than seven minutes remaining. The Wildcats' Rafael Little scored on the next possession to give UK the cushion it needed.

"We called a good play, I think we executed well," said redshirt freshman quarter Dan LeFevour. "We just need to execute a little better."

CMU (2-3 overall) trailed 21-0 early in the second quarter. The Chippewas committed three turnovers in the first quarter and fumbled eight times in the game, losing three.

"We're really disappointed we didn't make the necessary plays," said coach Brian Kelly. "We couldn't get off the field a couple of times and obviously that was a huge hole we dug in the first quarter with ... turnovers."

Sophomore Brian Brunner started at quarterback and played for five possessions. LeFevour replaced him in the second quarter.

Kentucky (3-2 overall) scored on its opening possession when quarterback Andre Woodson passed to wide receiver Keenan Burton for a 3-yard touchdown.

CMU turned the ball over on its next possession on a fumble by tight end Dave Condeni. Kentucky tried to capitalize on the next play, but CMU's Pacino Horne intercepted Woodson's pass in the endzone.

The Chippewas turned the ball over again on the next play when receiver Jemmy Jasmin threw an interception on a trick play.

The Wildcats needed only three plays to take a 14-0 lead. Woodson capped off the drive with a 19-yard pass to Jacob Tamme.

CMU turned the ball over for the third time when freshman running back Marcel Archer fumbled after being hit by UK's Micah Johnson. McClinton recovered the ball at CMU's 37-yard-line.

UK scored again on a 24-yard pass from Woodson to tail back Rafael Little to make it 21-0.

Woodson was pressured on the play, but bought enough time to find Little in the flat. Little then faked to the inside then went toward the right sideline to elude the CMU defensive back Tim Brazzel.

LeFevour took over at quarterback for CMU on the ensuing possession.

He found wide receiver Justin Gardner for a 20-yard gain on third down to keep the drive alive. The Chippewas scored on the next play as LeFevour passed to senior wide receiver Damien Linson for 61 yards down the sideline.

LeFevour gave UK its fourth takeaway later in the quarter when he fumble, giving the Wildcats first-and-goal at the 6. UK's Tony Dixon rushed to the right and scored to give the Wildcats a 28-7 lead.

CMU got the ball at midfield after forcing UK to punt and cut the lead in half on a 10-yard pass from LeFevour to Gardner.

The Chippewas had third-and-goal on the 1-yard-line later in the second quarter, but had to settle for a 19-yard field goal by sophomore Rick Albreski to make the score 28-17 at the half.

"I think we lost our stinger a little bit," said UK coach Rich Brooks. "We obviously didn't get it recaptured very well. They threw the ball at will on us. ... We certainly solved their problem on who the starting quarterback is and the guy is a really good player."

The Chippewas scored on their first possession of the second half on a 37-yard field goal by Albreski.

The Wildcats responded on their next drive when Woodson threw his fourth touchdown. Burton caught the screen pass, changed direction to the left outran the CMU defense for the 42-yard score.

Linson had 61 yards receiving on CMU's next drive, capping it off with a 15-yard touchdown to cut UK's lead to eight.

After a field goal by each team, the Chippewas forced the Wildcats to punt.

Anderson led CMU with eight catches and 137 yards and Linson had 134 yards. LeFevour completed 22-of-38 passes for 360 yards and four touchdowns. Senior defensive end Dan Bazuin and sophomore Ontario Sneed did not play because of injuries.

Check out Monday's edition for complete game analysis.

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