Tag: Kentucky Wildcats

Nov 4, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) waves to fans as he walks off the field during the second half at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

Jalen Milroe (six total TDs) fuels No. 8 Alabama past Kentucky

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Jalen Milroe became the first player in Alabama history to pass for three touchdowns and run for three scores in the same game while leading the No. 8 Crimson Tide to a comfortable 49-21 victory over Kentucky on Saturday in Southeastern Conference play at Lexington, Ky.

Milroe completed 16 of 23 passes for 240 yards with one interception and added 36 yards on the ground. The quarterback, who was benched for a Week 3 game at South Florida, has rushed for seven touchdowns over the past two games and thrown for 10 in the last five contests.

Amari Niblack, Kobe Prentice and Roydell Williams caught touchdowns passes for the Crimson Tide (9-1, 7-0 SEC), who clinched a spot in the conference title game against No. 2 Georgia.

Alabama improved to 39-2-1 all-time against Kentucky.

Ray Davis rushed for two touchdowns for the Wildcats (6-4, 3-4), who have lost four of their past five games. Davis had just 26 yards on 12 carries.

Devin Leary completed 17 of 31 passes for 158 yards, one touchdown and one interception for Kentucky. Tayvion Robinson caught a touchdown pass.

Alabama outgained the Wildcats 450 to 253.

The Crimson Tide scored three first-quarter touchdowns to ensure this wouldn’t be a competitive contest.

Milroe tossed a 26-yard scoring pass to Niblack to cap Alabama’s opening drive and later threw a 40-yarder to Prentice to make it 14-0 with 5:32 left in the period.

Twenty seconds later, Milroe scored from the 1-yard line. The touchdown was set up by Caleb Downs’ 12-yard fumble return to the 1.

Leary threw a 6-yard scoring pass to Robinson to get Kentucky on the board with 1:30 left in the first quarter.

Milroe threw a 26-yard scoring pass to Williams to make it 28-7 with 10:14 left in the half.

The Wildcats pulled within 14 on Davis’ 2-yard run with 10:53 left in the third quarter. Milroe tacked on a 3-yard scoring run later in the third and added a 1-yard keeper 12 seconds into the final quarter to make it 42-14.

Jamarion Miller tacked on a 3-yard run to push Alabama’s lead to 35 with 9:46 left in the game. Davis scored from the 1 two minutes later.

–Field Level Media

Sep 30, 2023; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Devin Leary (13) hands the ball to running back Ray Davis (1) during the second quarter against the Florida Gators at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

Missouri, No. 24 Kentucky looking to bounce back

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No. 24 Kentucky will look for quarterback Devin Leary to get back on target when the Wildcats host Missouri on Saturday in Southeastern Conference action in Lexington.

Leary completed just 10 of 26 passes for 128 yards as the Wildcats (5-1, 2-1) fell 51-13 last weekend at No. 1 Georgia.

“Usually, I don’t say a whole lot during games to a quarterback … but there’s no excuse to not hit some of those passes,” Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said. “I mean, we had some guys wide open, you know? We missed some open plays to keep it close early.”

After reviewing the game video, Stoops identified some fixes Leary will need to make before the Wildcats take on Missouri (5-1, 1-1).

“Sometimes it is his feet or his footwork and sometimes him maybe expecting a receiver to run out at a different angle,” Stoops said. “There’s some little things and there’s some that (you) just have to make. He doesn’t need me to sit here and make an excuse for him. He’s a big boy and he owns it. Just like everybody else on our team, you have to have the courage to see the areas that you need to improve on and you have to own it.”

Leary has completed 54.8 percent of his passes for 1,257 yards and 12 touchdowns, with five interceptions, this season.

His inconsistency has led the Wildcats to rely more heavily on Ray Davis, who has rushed for 653 yards and eight touchdowns while averaging 7.2 yards per carry.

“Really good vision and burst, I think he’s running this year better than maybe he did last year,” Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz said. “But he’s now playing behind a really good offensive line that has a variety of run schemes.”

Kentucky will catch Missouri coming off a 49-39 home loss to then-No. 23 LSU. Missouri raced to a 22-7 lead before fading.

“I think we were all disappointed in the outcome, but we were not devastated,” Drinkwitz said. “That’s the thing about this league, every week you’re going to go out there and you’re going to compete, you’ve got to lay it on the line — and that doesn’t guarantee you the result you want.”

Missouri’s Brady Cook completed 30 of 47 passes for 411 yards and two touchdowns, but he also had his first two interceptions of the season.

Overall, Cook has thrown for 1,879 yards, 13 touchdowns and a 71.8 percent completion rate while demonstrating good mobility. He has three rushing touchdowns.

Cook’s top targets are Luther Burden III (54 catches, 793 yards, five touchdowns) and Theo Wease Jr. (28-334-4).

Cody Schrader (577 yards, six touchdowns) and Nathaniel Peat (266 and two) alternate at running back for the Tigers. Schrader ran for 114 yards and three touchdowns against LSU despite playing with a strained quadriceps muscle. Drinkwitz listed him as “questionable at best” for Saturday’s game.

Missouri defensive back Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (groin) will be sidelined, but the Tigers hope to get wide receiver Mekhi Miller (undisclosed) back.

Kentucky guard Kenneth Horsey (leg) is questionable for Saturday, and safety Jalen Geiger (elbow) will be sidelined for “a few weeks,” Stoops said.

–Field Level Media

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (15) throws a pass to Georgia tight end Brock Bowers (19) during the second half of a NCAA college football game against UAB in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.

No. 20 Kentucky seeking rare win at No. 1 Georgia

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Top-ranked Georgia seeks to extend its national-best winning streak to 23 consecutive games when it battles No. 20 Kentucky on Saturday in Southeastern Conference play at Athens, Ga.

The Bulldogs (5-0, 2-0 SEC) have beaten the Wildcats (5-0, 2-0) 13 consecutive times since losing 34-27 at home in 2009.

Two-time defending national champion Georgia hasn’t looked as formidable as the past few seasons but is once again the class of the SEC as the regular season nears the midway point.

However, the Bulldogs trailed by 10 points early last weekend before rallying for a 27-20 road win over Auburn. Carson Beck tossed a 40-yard touchdown pass to Brock Bowers with 2:52 remaining to win it.

While Bowers (30 receptions, 413 yards) is an accomplished star, Beck is quickly making a name for himself as the quarterback who follows two-time national champion Stetson Bennett.

Beck has passed for 1,497 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions. He has completed 72.1 percent of his throws.

“I’ve seen a lot of resiliency from him,” Bulldogs guard Tate Ratledge said. “When things aren’t necessarily going our way on offense, he’s always uplifting, always encouraging, never really changes. He just keeps a level head and tries to help us push through that with him.”

The Georgia offense received a boost by having Ladd McConkey on the field for the first time this season against Auburn. The wideout who caught 12 scoring receptions over the previous two seasons had four catches for 38 yards against the Tigers.

Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart is hoping McConkey’s health will hold up after he missed four games with a back injury.

“I just know the medical advice we got was to shut him down. We did that,” Smart said. “He feels like he’s recovered. He feels good. He had to progress last week to the point of full speed. It didn’t bother him. The biggest thing for him now is the conditioning level and all.”

The Georgia defense hasn’t been so stout against the run, allowing 113.4 yards per game and 4.0 per carry.

That’s a concern with Kentucky star running back Ray Davis coming off a career-best 280-yard rushing performance in last Saturday’s 33-14 win over then-No. 22 Florida. That ranks third in school history behind Moe Williams (299 in 1995) and Lynn Bowden (284, 2019).

“I didn’t make history, our O-line made history,” Davis said. “We ran for (329 yards), so as a collective unit we made history. But for me, it was just going into another game and hitting holes and things were opening. I just have to see it right.”

Davis scored four touchdowns (three rushing, one receiving) against the Gators and feels the offense is just getting cranked up.

“We are evolving and getting better each day,” said Davis, who has 594 rushing yards on the season. “Those (linemen) are getting better. As an offense, we are getting better. We are not going to be content with this performance. We have a lot more left in the tank.”

Smart sure took notice of the performance by Davis.

“He’s an exceptional back. As good a back I’ve seen in a long time,” Smart said. “This guy’s smooth, explosive. He pass protects really well. He protects the ball. He’s aggressive in the way he runs.”

Wildcats quarterback Devin Leary was just 9 of 19 for a season-low 69 yards against the Gators. Leary passed for more than 200 yards in each of Kentucky’s first four games.

Overall, he has completed 57.7 percent of his passes for 1,129 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions.

–Field Level Media

Sep 23, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Devin Leary (13) throws a pass against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Kentucky starts fast, tops Vanderbilt to remain undefeated

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Kentucky’s Maxwell Hairston returned a pair of interceptions for touchdowns as the visiting Wildcats led wire to wire in a 45-28 SEC victory Saturday over Vanderbilt at Nashville, Tenn.

The Wildcats (4-0, 1-0 SEC) jumped out to a 21-0 lead just over 13 minutes into the game and the Commodores never got the lead within single digits after that.

Both quarterbacks struggled in a day marked by sloppy play. Vanderbilt’s AJ Swann was 16 of 40 for 189 yards and three interceptions, while Kentucky’s Devin Leary was 15 of 29 for 205 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

With Kentucky’s offense struggling to start the second half, the Wildcats’ De’Eryk Jackson intercepted Swann, giving Kentucky possession at the Vanderbilt 11 after a Commodores personal foul.

Davis powered in from 1 yard out, extending the Wildcats lead to 31-13 with 6:44 left in the third quarter.

Hairston returned another errant Swann pass 54 yards for a score with 4:15 left, giving Kentucky its final points.

The Wildcats led 24-10 at half.

Kentucky running back JuTahn McClain dashed 36 yards into the end zone on the Wildcats’ first possession for a 7-0 lead.

On Vandy’s ensuing drive, Kentucky pressured Swann leading to an interception by Harrison and 29-yard return for a TD.

Vandy intercepted Leary on the next drive. But after another Commodores three-and-out, Kentucky’s Davis’s 2-yard scoring run with 1:56 left in the first quarter made it 21-0.

The Wildcats’ Alex Raynor (27 yards) and Vandy’s Jacob Borcila (41) traded field goals, then, the Commodores got their first score on Sedrick Alexander’s 7-yard run with 20 seconds left in the half for a 24-10 lead.

It was an emotionally charged return for Davis who had 17 carries for 78 yards and two scores for Kentucky. He led Vanderbilt with 1,042 yards rushing last season. Davis and Vandy’s CJ Taylor had a confrontation as the teams headed into the tunnel for halftime.

The Commodores (2-3, 0-1), playing without starting safety De’Rickey Wright and starting corner BJ Anderson, lost starting safety Jaylen Mahoney to a targeting ejection 2 1/2 minutes into the game.

Swann exited in the fourth quarter for Vanderbilt holding his right arm after a hit.

–Field Level Media

Sep 16, 2023; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats running back Ray Davis (1) carries the ball into the end zone and scores a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Akron Zips at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

Kentucky has score to settle at Vanderbilt

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Unbeaten Kentucky seeks revenge for last season’s upset loss to Vanderbilt when both teams open SEC action on Saturday in Nashville, Tenn.

The Wildcats (3-0) have beaten Ball State, Eastern Kentucky and Akron by a combined 107-34 margin. They’re led by a pair of prominent transfers: Devin Leary (855 passing yards, eight touchdowns, three interceptions), who has connected for more than 100 yards with five different players, and running back Ray Davis (379 yards from scrimmage).

However, Kentucky left plenty on the table in last Saturday’s 35-3 win over the Zips. The Wildcats were plagued by a pair of bad snaps and a hold that wiped out a 64-yard touchdown pass.

“(The players) don’t need to be frustrated,” Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said on Monday. “They need to be critical of themselves and handle things like a pro.”

Kentucky should know it can’t take the Commodores (2-2) lightly. Vanderbilt, a 14-point underdog this year, was an 18-point dog last season when it upset Kentucky, 24-21, snapping a 26-game SEC losing streak on Nov. 12.

A big reason for that was Davis — at Vandy for the 2021 and 2022 seasons — who ran 26 times for 129 yards and a score that day.

Vanderbilt could use Davis this season. The Commodores netted just 83 yards on 38 rushing attempts in a 40-37 loss last Saturday at UNLV.

Vanderbilt turned the ball over four times against the Rebels, including a fumble by quarterback AJ Swann that was returned for a touchdown as the Commodores blew a 17-0 lead.

“Until we learn to protect the football, we’re leaving it to chance,” Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea said on Tuesday.

The defense has been worse, with Vanderbilt allowing an average of 29.2 points and 389 yards per game while struggling against both the run and the pass.

Hopes for another upset hinge on Swann and receivers Will Sheppard, Jayden McGowan and London Humphreys, who have combined for 875 of Vandy’s 1,155 receiving yards and nine of its 12 touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Sep 9, 2023; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats wide receiver Tayvion Robinson (9) runs down the field against Eastern Kentucky Colonels linebacker Cornelius Evans (18) during the third quarter at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

Tayvion Robinson, Kentucky take aim at Akron

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Kentucky coach Mark Stoops watched another wide receiver grow and become a scoring threat aside from electrifying speedster Barion Brown.

With fifth-year senior Tayvion Robinson in tow, the Wildcats welcome Mid-American Conference foe Akron Saturday night in their final contest before opening Southeastern Conference play next week at Vanderbilt.

Brown continues to put a scare into kick return units and secondaries every time the ball comes his way. Robinson has been handed a bigger role as a reliable target for quarterback Devin Leary. Robinson is tied for the team lead with nine receptions and has a team-high 174 yards and two touchdown catches.

He had 150 all-purpose yards in Saturday’s 28-17 win over Eastern Kentucky — two fewer than Brown.

“We challenged him, he’s responded and he’s been more consistent,” Stoops said of Robinson, who played three seasons at Virginia Tech. “There is a great example of just maturity, just being an older guy, being coachable and playing within the offense.”

On Sunday, Kentucky (2-0) learned that offensive coordinator Liam Coen had a sudden medical episode. Cohen, however, announced on social media that he will be in attendance for Saturday’s game.

Against a Kentucky team that has trailed in both games, Akron (1-1) may have one intangible that could go a long way in pulling off an upset — coach Joe Moorhead.

In his second year with the Zips, Moorhead faced the Wildcats twice during his two-year tenure at Mississippi State, splitting games in 2018 and 2019.

Splitting also is what his MAC squad has done in a curious way — a loss at Temple then a home win over Morgan State, both by 24-21 scores.

In the final minute against the Bears on Saturday, Bryan McCoy picked up a fumble after linebacker CJ Nunnally stripped away the ball on a stretch running play. The 13-yard fumble return TD won the game.

“It kind of validates what we’ve been talking about since January,” Moorhead said. “When you to a point in the fourth quarter and looked up at the scoreboard and have a chance to win the game, you’ve got to find a way to finish.”

The teams’ only matchup resulted in a 47-10 rout by Kentucky at home on Sept. 18, 2010.

–Field Level Media

Sep 2, 2023; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Ball State Cardinals tight end Tanner Koziol (88) is tackled by Kentucky Wildcats linebacker Trevin Wallace (32) during the first quarter at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

New-look Kentucky rolls past Ball State 44-14

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Newcomer Ray Davis had his 10th career 100-yard rushing game and scored twice, Alex Raynor kicked three field goals and host Kentucky opened the season Saturday with a 44-14 win over Ball State at Lexington, Ky.

A 1,042-yard rusher last season for Vanderbilt, Davis carried 14 times for 112 yards for Kentucky (1-0).

In his first start for the Wildcats, quarterback Devin Leary – a transfer from North Carolina State — went 18 of 31 for 241 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Defensive back Jalen Geiger scored on a 69-yard fumble return.

Playing on his fourth team, Ball State transfer quarterback Layne Hatcher completed six of his eight passes for 36 yards and rushed for a touchdown in one half of play for Ball State (0-1).

In his collegiate debut, true freshman Kadin Semonza relieved Hatcher and went 15 of 21 for 165 yards with a touchdown.

After Kentucky missed an SEC-high eight field goals in 2022, Raynor connected from 41 yards less than two minutes in for the season’s first points.

Ball State was a 25-point underdog at kickoff, but the Mid-American Conference school stunned the blue-clad crowd on its second series behind Hatcher, grabbing a 7-3 edge from the SEC team late in the first quarter.

Taking 7:05 off the clock, the Cardinals moved effectively on a 13-play, 73-yard drive that Hatcher ended with a sneak from 2 yards.

Following Davis’ short TD run, Kentucky defensive back Alex Afari Jr. had a big hit on a reception. Geiger scooped up the fumble on a clean bounce and returned it for a 17-7 advantage with 6:58 remaining in the half.

A second UK scoop-and-score – by Jordan Lovett – was blown dead, wiping out a TD, though the Wildcats were awarded the possession after the play was overturned.

Raynor notched a pair of 46-yard field goals inside the final 72 seconds for a 23-7 halftime lead.
In the third quarter, Leary rolled right and hit Dane Key on a drag route for a 5-yard TD. Semonza answered for Ball State with his first passing TD, a 5-yarder to Ty Robinson.

Barion Brown brought the ensuing kickoff back 99 yards for a TD, and Davis scored from 30 yards out with six seconds left.

–Field Level Media

Kentucky s Devin Leary throws the ball during open practice for the fans on Saturday.April 1, 2023 Kentuckypractice 26

Devin Leary leads Kentucky into new era vs. Ball State

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The Devin Leary era for Kentucky begins Saturday when the Wildcats host the Ball State Cardinals in Lexington, Ky., in the season opener for both schools.

A transfer from NC State, Leary will have big cleats to fill in replacing Will Levis, UK’s signal-caller over the past two seasons and a second-round draft pick (33rd overall) by the Tennessee Titans in April.

Leary, 23, should fit right in with the Wildcats, who are coming off a 7-6 (3-5 SEC) mark and a 21-0 loss to Iowa in the Music City Bowl last year.

Leary tore a pectoral muscle on Oct. 8 and finished the 2022 season with 1,265 passing yards, 11 touchdowns and four interceptions in six games. In 2021, the New Jersey native passed for 3,433 yards and 35 touchdowns against five picks. He passed for 6,807 yards and 62 TDs in four seasons — two of which included season-ending injuries.

An ESPN analyst named Leary the year’s most significant transfer — high praise in this age of abundant portal entries.

No argument from Kentucky offensive coordinator Liam Coen.

“Extremely accurate,” Coen told The Athletic this week. “And not just one day, but really every day. He’s consistently making these throws. … He’s made every throw you can ask a quarterback to make at this level.”

Coach Mike Neu and Ball State, which went 5-7 overall and 3-5 in the Mid-American Conference in 2022, will have their own transfer quarterback — Texas State’s Layne Hatcher.

Hatcher’s journey began after being named Arkansas’ Gatorade Player of the Year and joining Alabama in 2018. He soon transferred to Arkansas State, where he was the 2019 Sun Belt Freshman of the Year.

The Little Rock native’s experience should be a big plus beginning Saturday.

“(Hatcher’s) seen a lot, he’s been exposed to a lot,” Neu said. “Layne’s experience and being in that type of environment (at Kentucky) certainly (is) in his favor.”

Ball State’s next outing will also be a road game against SEC opposition — top-ranked Georgia.

–Field Level Media

Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean (3) pulls in an interception for a touchdown over Kentucky wide receiver Barion Brown (2) during the second quarter of the TransPerfect Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. Ncaa Football Music City Bowl Iowa At Kentucky

Two defensive TDs help Iowa blank Kentucky in Music City Bowl

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Xavier Nwankpa and Cooper DeJean each nabbed a pick-6 to headline a masterclass defensive performance that propelled Iowa to a 21-0 victory over Kentucky on Saturday afternoon in the Music City Bowl in Nashville, Tenn.

It was the fourth bowl victory in the past six years for the Hawkeyes (8-5), who lost to the Wildcats (7-6) in last season’s Citrus Bowl.

DeJean’s interception with 1:36 left in the first half sent the Hawkeyes into the break with a commanding 21-0 lead that Kentucky never came close to overcoming. The Wildcats were outgained 206-185, were forced to punt 10 times and never reached the red zone.

Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Jack Campbell racked up a game-high 10 tackles for Iowa.

Joey Labas provided the only offensive touchdown of the afternoon when he connected with Luke Lachey for a 15-yard score early in the second quarter.

Labas completed 14 of 24 passes for 139 yards, and Lachey finished with three receptions for 36 yards. Sam LaPorta was the Hawkeyes’ leading receiver, hauling in five catches for 56 yards.

Seven Iowa rushers combined to tally just 67 yards on 24 carries.

Destin Wade tallied 98 yards and a pair of interceptions on 16-for-30 passing and rushed for 29 yards on 16 carries for Kentucky. Dane Key had six catches for 47 yards.

Defense dominated the first 15 minutes of action to set the tone for the entire game. Both teams combined to punt four times while totaling just 102 yards of offense in a scoreless opening frame.

But then Iowa struck for two touchdowns in a span of 11 seconds to start the second quarter.

The Hawkeyes broke the stalemate thanks to their tight ends, as Labas connected with LaPorta for a gain of 27 before tossing a short pass to Lachey one play later. Lachey scampered up the sideline and dove for the pylon, and the play stood upon review.

Nwankpa then picked off Wade on the first play of Kentucky’s ensuing possession and ran 52 yards to the end zone for a 14-0 lead with 11:57 left before halftime.

–Field Level Media

Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell reacts after making a tackle against South Dakota State during a NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. Iowavssdsu 20220903 Bh

Iowa seeks better outcome vs. Kentucky in Music City Bowl

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In what could have been a battle of seasoned quarterbacks, the Music City Bowl will now feature a pair of freshmen trying to prove themselves under center when Iowa and Kentucky meet on Saturday in Nashville, Tenn.

Third-stringer Joe Labas will draw the start for the Hawkeyes (7-5) after starter Spencer Petras underwent shoulder surgery and backup Alex Padilla entered the transfer portal.

Destin Wade likely will get the nod for the Wildcats (7-5), although Deuce Hogan and Kaiya Sheron are also expected to take snaps.

“I called my parents right away, and they were happy for me and excited, and I was excited for the opportunity,” Labas said. “It was kind of like a shock at first, like it would be for anyone.”

Labas will look to jumpstart an Iowa offense that averaged just 17.4 points per game in the regular season.

“We’ve added some stuff to the playbook that we haven’t ran ever,” Labas said. “It’s pretty good. I feel very confident about it, and I’m excited about it.”

The Hawkeyes have leaned heavily on their defense, which ranks among the best in the nation with an average of just 14.4 points conceded per game. That unit is headlined by linebacker Jack Campbell, who was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year after recording a team-high 118 tackles (52 solo, 66 assists) and two interceptions.

Those statistics aren’t a welcome sight for a Kentucky team that will be without two of its most important offensive weapons.

Starting quarterback Will Levis (2,406 passing yards, 19 TDs, 10 interceptions) and running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (175 carries, 904 yards, six TDs) have both opted to sit out as they prepare for the NFL draft.

Despite those absences, the Wildcats are confident that they can win their fifth consecutive bowl game, a streak that includes a 20-17 victory over Iowa in last season’s Citrus Bowl.

“Everybody who’s in that room playing in that bowl game wants to be there,” Kentucky offensive lineman Kenneth Horsey said. “There’s no guys thinking about leaving, there’s no more worrying about the future, there’s no more looking about the past.

“Everybody in there right now is 100 percent committed to making sure that the University of Kentucky is ready to go and we can win this bowl game.”

One of those players whose commitment is on full display is linebacker Jordan Wright, who, despite declaring for the draft, will still play in the Music City Bowl. Wright made 58 tackles this season, including 8.5 for loss, and also had a sack and an interception.

The Wildcats will be appearing in their second Music City Bowl under head coach Mark Stoops and their fifth since 2006. Iowa was supposed to appear in the Music City Bowl in 2020, but the event was canceled due to a COVID-19 outbreak.

Prior to last season’s loss in the Citrus Bowl, the Hawkeyes had won three straight bowl games. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz is 9-9 in bowl games, and a win on Saturday would tie him with Penn State’s Joe Paterno for the most bowl victories by a Big Ten coach.

–Field Level Media