Kentucky still has three opportunities remaining to achieve bowl eligibility this season following Saturday's loss to Missouri.
Maty Mauk completed 18 of 33 passes for 164 yards and two touchdowns - both to Bud Sasser - to lead the Tigers past Kentucky 20 to 10.
Mauk added another 75 yards on the ground, picking up four first downs, and completed 10 consecutive passes in the first half, including a 26-yard toss to a streaking Sasser in the end zone over defender J.D. Harmon. Sasser finished with six catches for 67 yards.
Coupled with Georgia's 38-20 loss to Florida, the Tigers (7-2, 4-1) now lead the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division by a half-game.
Missouri's offensive struggles reappeared at times as the Tigers gained 320 yards, but the defense limited Kentucky to 258 yards and 2-for-16 on third-down conversions.
Patrick Towles gained 158 yards through the air for Kentucky (5-4, 2-4), a week after throwing for a career-high 390 yards against Mississippi State.
The Wildcats host Georgia next Saturday in the home finale.
