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2021 University of Kentucky football season
The 2021 Kentucky Wildcats football team represented the University of Kentucky (UK) in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season . The Wildcats played their home games at Kroger Field in Lexington, Kentucky , and competed in the East Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). They were led by ninth-year head coach Mark Stoops .
Offseason [ edit ]
Position key [ edit ]
Preseason [ edit ]
Award watch lists [ edit ]
Listed in the order that they were released
Award
Player
Position
Year
SEC Media Days [ edit ]
Media poll (East Division)
Predicted finish
Team
Votes (1st place)
1
Georgia
923 (124)
2
Florida
784 (7)
3
Kentucky
624 (2)
4
Missouri
555
5
Tennessee
362
6
South Carolina
355 (1)
7
Vanderbilt
149
Media poll (SEC Championship)
Place
Team
Votes
1
Alabama
84
2
Georgia
45
3
Ole Miss
1
4
Texas A&M
1
Florida
1
Kentucky
1
South Carolina
1
Preseason All-SEC teams [ edit ]
Personnel [ edit ]
Coaching staff [ edit ]
Schedule [ edit ]
Spring game [ edit ]
The Wildcats were scheduled to hold spring practices in March and April 2021 with the Kentucky football spring game, which took place in Lexington, KY in April 2021.
Regular season [ edit ]
The 2021 Kentucky regular-season schedule consisted of seven home games and five away games. UK hosted four SEC opponents: Florida , LSU , Missouri , and rival Tennessee . UK traveled to four SEC opponents: Georgia , Mississippi State , South Carolina , and Vanderbilt . Kentucky was not scheduled to play SEC West opponents Alabama , Arkansas , Auburn , Ole Miss , and Texas A&M in the 2021 regular season. The Wildcats' bye week was during week 8 (on October 23, 2021).[1]
Kentucky's out-of-conference opponents represented the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), Southern Conference (SoCon), and Sun Belt Conference (SBC), as well as one FBS independent . The Wildcats hosted SoCon member Chattanooga , SBC member Louisiana-Monroe , and independent New Mexico State . The Wildcats closed out the regular season by traveling to Louisville, KY to face in-state rival Louisville for the Governor's Cup .
Date Time Opponent Rank Site TV Result Attendance September 4 12:00 p.m. Louisiana–Monroe * SECN W 45–1047,693
September 11 7:30 p.m. Missouri Kroger Field Lexington, KY SECN W 35–2858,437
September 18 12:00 p.m. Chattanooga * Kroger Field Lexington, KY ESPN+ /SECN+W 28–2355,214
September 25 7:00 p.m. at South Carolina ESPN2 W 16–1077,559
October 2 6:00 p.m. No. 10 Florida Kroger Field Lexington, KY (rivalry ) ESPN W 20–1361,632
October 9 7:30 p.m. LSU No. 16 SECN W 42–2161,690
October 16 3:30 p.m. at No. 1 Georgia No. 11 CBS L 13–3092,746
October 30 7:00 p.m. at Mississippi State No. 12 SECN L 17–3149,487
November 6 7:00 p.m. Tennessee No. 18 Kroger Field Lexington, KY (rivalry ) ESPN2 L 42–4561,690
November 13 7:00 p.m. at Vanderbilt ESPN2 W 34–1725,798
November 20 12:00 p.m. New Mexico State * Kroger Field Lexington, KY SECN W 56–1647,749
November 27 7:30 p.m. at Louisville * ESPN2 W 52–2155,018
January 1, 2022 1:00 p.m. vs. No. 15 Iowa * No. 22 ABC W 20–1750,769
[2]
Game summaries [ edit ]
Louisiana–Monroe [ edit ]
1
2 3 4 Total
Louisiana–Monroe
7
0 0 3
10
• Kentucky
14
14 3 14
45
Date: September 4Location: Lexington, KY Game start: 12:03 p.m. Elapsed time: 3:11Game attendance: 47,693Game weather: 78 °F (26 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: SW 7 MPH Referee: Jason McArthurTV announcers (SECN ): Taylor Zarzour (play-by-play), Matt Stinchcomb (color), Alyssa Lang (sideline)Source: Official Box Score
Scoring summary 1 08:53 ULM Kadyn Roach 3-yard rush (Calum Sutherland kick)(12 plays, 42 yards, 5:01) ULM 7–0
06:13 UK Wan'Dale Robinson 33-yard pass from Will Levis (Matt Ruffolo kick)(5 plays, 84 yards, 2:40) TIE 7–7
04:20 UK Josh Ali 58-yard pass from Will Levis (Matt Ruffolo kick)(1 play, 58 yards, 0:09) UK 14–7
2 10:40 UK Chris Rodriguez 2-yard rush (Matt Ruffolo kick)(14 plays, 84 yards, 6:37) UK 21–7
05:44 UK Wan'Dale Robinson 15-yard pass from Will Levis (Matt Ruffolo kick)(4 plays, 80 yards, 2:24) UK 28–7
3 03:54 UK Matt Ruffolo 45-yard field goal(7 plays, 51 yards, 3:40) UK 31–7
4 13:07 UK Brenden Bates 4-yard pass from Will Levis (Matt Ruffolo kick)(9 plays, 76 yards, 4:00) UK 38–7
04:39 ULM Calum Sutherland 29-yard field goal(11 plays, 48 yards, 5:11) UK 38–10
01:00 UK Michael Drennen II 4-yard rush (Matt Ruffolo kick)(8 plays, 68 yards, 3:39) UK 45–10
Pregame line
Over/under
UK −31.0
54
Statistics
ULM
Kentucky
First downs
12
24
Total yards
87
564
Rushing yards
17
145
Passing yards
70
419
Turnovers
0
3
Time of possession
28:13
31:47
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
ULM
Passing
Rhett Rodgriuez
9/17, 56 yards
Rushing
Chandler Rogers
7 carries, 11 yards
Receiving
Boogie Knight
6 receptions, 58 yards
Kentucky
Passing
Will Levis
18/26, 367 yards, 4 TD's
Rushing
Chris Rodriguez Jr.
19 carries, 125 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Josh Ali
5 receptions, 136 yards, 1 TD
Missouri [ edit ]
1
2 3 4 Total
Missouri
7
7 7 7
28
• Kentucky
14
7 7 7
35
Date: September 11Location: Lexington, KYGame start: 7:38 p.m. Game attendance: 58,437Game weather: Sunny, 74°F, Wind S @ 8 mphReferee: Ken WilliamsonTV announcers (SECN): Taylor Zarzour (play-by-play), Matt Stinchcomb (color), Alyssa Lang (sideline)
Statistics
Missouri
Kentucky
First downs
25
26
Total yards
398
520
Rushing yards
104
341
Passing yards
294
179
Turnovers
1
2
Time of possession
27:12
32:48
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Missouri
Passing
Connor Bazelak
34/51, 294 yards, 4 TD’s, 1 INT
Rushing
Tyler Badie
14 carries, 61 yards
Receiving
Tyler Badie
10 receptions, 88 yards, 1 TD
Kentucky
Passing
Will Levis
10/18, 179 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
Chris Rodriguez Jr.
27 carries, 207 yards, 2 TD’s
Receiving
Wan'Dale Robinson
5 receptions, 101 yards
Chattanooga [ edit ]
1
2 3 4 Total
Chattanooga
7
3 3 10
23
• Kentucky
7
7 0 14
28
Date: September 18Location: Lexington, KYGame start: 12:02 p.m. Game attendance: 55,214Game weather: Sunny, 81°F, Wind E @ 3 mphReferee: David SmithTV announcers (ESPN+, SEC Network+): Mike Morgan (play-by-play), Ben Hartsock (color), Paul Carcaterra (sideline)
Statistics
Chattanooga
Kentucky
First downs
16
20
Total yards
339
356
Rushing yards
171
102
Passing yards
168
254
Turnovers
1
3
Time of possession
31:42
28:18
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Chattanooga
Passing
Cole Copeland
21/35, 168 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
Ailym Ford
21 carries, 128 yards
Receiving
Reginald Henderson
9 receptions, 75 yards, 1 TD
Kentucky
Passing
Will Levis
23/35, 254 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
Rushing
Chris Rodriguez Jr.
13 carries, 46 yards
Receiving
Wan'Dale Robinson
8 receptions, 111 yards
At South Carolina [ edit ]
Game information
First quarter
(8:27) UK – Kavosiey Smoke 15-yard run (Matt Ruffolo Kick). Kentucky 7-0. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 6:33.
Second quarter
(0:00) UK – Matt Ruffolo 43-yard field goal. Kentucky 10-0. Drive: 10 plays, 57 yards, 4:39.
Third quarter
(10:52) SC – Jalen Brooks 5-yard pass from Luke Doty (Parker White Kick). Kentucky 10-7. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:08.
(3:43) UK – Matt Ruffolo 21-yard field goal. Kentucky 13-7. Drive: 13 plays, 72 yards, 7:09.
Fourth quarter
(4:26) UK – Matt Ruffolo 27-yard field goal. Kentucky 16-7. Drive: 9 plays, 51 yards, 5:17.
(2:31) SC – Parker White 54-yard field goal. Kentucky 16-10. Drive: 5 plays, 39 yards, 1:55.
Statistics
UK
SC
First downs
22
12
Plays–yards
66–332
51–216
Rushes–yards
230
58
Passing yards
102
158
Passing: comp–att–int
15–22–1
17–25–0
Time of possession
35:36
24:24
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
UK
Passing
Will Levis
15/22, 102 yards, INT
Rushing
Chris Rodriguez Jr
26 carries, 144 yards
Receiving
Wan'Dale Robinson
7 receptions, 65 yards
SC
Passing
Luke Doty
17/25, 158 yards, TD
Rushing
Kevin Harris
12 carries, 38 yards
Receiving
Jalen Brooks
4 receptions, 63 yards, TD
No. 10 Florida [ edit ]
This was the Wildcats' first home win over Florida since 1986 .[3]
1
2 3 4 Total
No. 10 Florida
7
3 0 3
13
• Kentucky
7
0 6 7
20
Date: October 2Location: Lexington, KYGame start: 6:01 p.m. Game attendance: 61,632Game weather: Cloudy, 75°F, Wind SW @ 6 mphReferee: Marc CurlesTV announcers (ESPN ): Bob Wischusen (play-by-play), Dan Orlovsky (color), Kris Budden (sideline)
Statistics
Florida
Kentucky
First downs
21
13
Total yards
382
224
Rushing yards
171
137
Passing yards
211
87
Turnovers
1
1
Time of possession
36:18
23:42
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Florida
Passing
Emory Jones
23/31, 203 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
Emory Jones
13 carries, 63 yards
Receiving
Jacob Copeland
6 receptions, 59 yards
Kentucky
Passing
Will Levis
7/17, 87 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
Chris Rodriguez Jr.
19 carries, 99 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Wan'Dale Robinson
4 receptions, 65 yards, 1 TD
1
2 3 4 Total
LSU
0
0 7 14
21
• No. 16 Kentucky
7
7 14 14
42
Date: October 9Location: Lexington, KYGame start: 7:39 p.m. Game attendance: 61,690Game weather: Sunny, 72°F, Wind SE @ 5 mphReferee: David SmithTV announcers (SECN): Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (color), Cole Cubelic (sideline)
Statistics
LSU
Kentucky
First downs
22
24
Total yards
408
475
Rushing yards
147
330
Passing yards
261
145
Turnovers
1
0
Time of possession
27:48
32:12
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
LSU
Passing
Max Johnson
22/38, 261 yards, 1 TD
Rushing
Tyrion Davis-Price
22 carries, 147 yards, 2 TD’s
Receiving
Kayshon Boutte
8 receptions, 73 yards
Kentucky
Passing
Will Levis
14/17, 145 yards, 3 TD’s
Rushing
Chris Rodriguez Jr.
16 carries, 147 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Wan'Dale Robinson
8 receptions, 60 yards, 1 TD
At No. 1 Georgia [ edit ]
1
2 3 4 Total
No. 11 Kentucky
0
7 0 6
13
• No. 1 Georgia
0
14 10 6
30
Statistics
Kentucky
Georgia
First downs
16
20
Total yards
243
416
Rushing yards
51
166
Passing yards
192
250
Turnovers
0
0
Time of possession
37:47
22:13
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Kentucky
Passing
Will Levis
32/42, 192 yards, 2 TD’s
Rushing
Kavosiey Smoke
5 carries, 14 yards
Receiving
Wan'Dale Robinson
12 receptions, 39 yards, 1 TD
Georgia
Passing
Stetson Bennett
14/20, 250 yards, 3 TD’s
Rushing
James Cook
6 carries, 51 yards
Receiving
Brock Bowers
5 receptions, 101 yards, 2 TD’s
At Mississippi State [ edit ]
1
2 3 4 Total
No. 12 Kentucky
7
3 0 7
17
• Mississippi State
0
14 17 0
31
Date: October 30Location: Starkville, MS Game start: 6:09 p.m. Game attendance: 49,487Game weather: Cloudy, 55°F, Wind NW @ 5 mphReferee: Lee HendrickTV announcers (SECN): Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (color), Cole Cubelic (sideline)[4]
Statistics
Kentucky
Miss State
First downs
14
27
Total yards
216
438
Rushing yards
66
94
Passing yards
150
344
Turnovers
4
0
Time of possession
18:50
41:10
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Kentucky
Passing
Will Levis
17/28, 150 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT’s
Rushing
Chris Rodriguez Jr.
8 carries, 34 yards
Receiving
Wan'Dale Robinson
9 receptions, 79 yards
Miss State
Passing
Will Rogers
36/39, 344 yards, 1 TD
Rushing
Jo'Quavious Marks
20 carries, 58 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Jaden Walley
6 receptions, 95 yards
Tennessee [ edit ]
1
2 3 4 Total
• Tennessee
14
10 14 7
45
No. 18 Kentucky
7
14 14 7
42
Date: November 6Location: Lexington, KYGame start: 7:05 p.m. Game attendance: 61,690Game weather: Sunny, 46°F, Wind N @ 4 mphReferee: Steve MarloweTV announcers (ESPN2): Beth Mowins (play-by-play), Kirk Morrison (color), Dawn Davenport (sideline)
Statistics
Tennessee
Kentucky
First downs
17
35
Total yards
461
612
Rushing yards
145
225
Passing yards
316
387
Turnovers
1
1
Time of possession
13:52
46:08
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Tennessee
Passing
Hendon Hooker
15/20, 316 yards, 4 TD’s
Rushing
Jabari Small
4 carries, 55 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Velus Jones Jr.
5 receptions, 100 yards, 1 TD
Kentucky
Passing
Will Levis
31/49, 372 yards, 3 TD’s, 1 INT
Rushing
Chris Rodriguez Jr.
22 carries, 109 yards
Receiving
Wan'Dale Robinson
13 receptions, 166 yards, 1 TD
At Vanderbilt [ edit ]
1
2 3 4 Total
• Kentucky
7
24 0 3
34
Vanderbilt
3
0 8 6
17
Date: November 13Location: Nashville, TN Game start: 6:05 p.m. Game attendance: 25,798Game weather: Sunny, 42°F, Wind N @ 1 mphReferee: Ken WilliamsonTV announcers (ESPN2): Anish Shroff (play-by-play), Mike Golic Jr. (color), Taylor McGregor (sideline)
Statistics
Kentucky
Vanderbilt
First downs
21
16
Total yards
413
266
Rushing yards
236
96
Passing yards
177
170
Turnovers
1
1
Time of possession
29:46
30:14
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Kentucky
Passing
Will Levis
14/22, 177 yards, 2 TD’s, 1 INT
Rushing
Chris Rodriguez Jr.
16 carries, 144 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Wan'Dale Robinson
6 receptions, 75 yards, 1 TD
Vanderbilt
Passing
Ken Seals
12/17, 87 yards, 1 INT
Rushing
Patrick Smith
18 carries, 84 yards
Receiving
Chris Pierce Jr
6 receptions, 69 yards, 1 TD
New Mexico State [ edit ]
1
2 3 4 Total
New Mexico St
7
9 0 0
16
• Kentucky
21
14 14 7
56
Date: November 20Location: Lexington, KYGame start: 12:03 p.m. Game attendance: 47,749Game weather: Sunny, 52°F, Wind SW @ 9 mphReferee: Alex MooreTV announcers (SECN): Taylor Zarzour (play-by-play), Matt Stinchcomb (color), Tera Talmadge (sideline)
Statistics
New Mexico St
Kentucky
First downs
13
29
Total yards
282
707
Rushing yards
101
248
Passing yards
181
459
Turnovers
2
4
Time of possession
26:07
33:53
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
New Mexico St
Passing
Jonah Johnson
16/35, 181 yards, 1 INT
Rushing
Juwaun Price
11 carries, 51 yards
Receiving
Justice Powers
1 reception, 41 yards
Kentucky
Passing
Will Levis
21/31, 419 yards, 4 TD’s, 1 INT
Rushing
Chris Rodriguez Jr.
16 carries, 119 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Wan'Dale Robinson
8 receptions, 181 yards
At Louisville [ edit ]
Governor’s Cup
1
2 3 4 Total
• Kentucky
14
10 14 14
52
Louisville
7
0 0 14
21
Date: November 27Location: Louisville, KY Game start: 7:41 p.m. Game attendance: 55,018Game weather: Cloudy, 48°F, Wind SW @ 3 mphReferee: Matt LoefflerTV announcers (ESPN2): Chris Cotter (play-by-play), Mark Herzlich (color), Jalyn Johnson (sideline)
Statistics
Kentucky
Louisville
First downs
28
20
Total yards
511
352
Rushing yards
362
144
Passing yards
149
208
Turnovers
0
1
Time of possession
35:04
24:56
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Kentucky
Passing
Will Levis
14/18, 149 yards
Rushing
Chris Rodriguez Jr.
16 carries, 121 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Wan'Dale Robinson
9 receptions, 97 yards
Louisville
Passing
Malik Cunningham
12/20, 145 yards, 1 INT
Rushing
Jalen Mitchell
11 carries, 53 yards
Receiving
Marshon Ford
6 receptions, 68 yards
Vs. No. 15 Iowa (Citrus Bowl) [ edit ]
Vrbo Citrus Bowl
1
2 3 4 Total
No. 15 Iowa
0
3 7 7
17
• No. 22 Kentucky
7
6 0 7
20
Statistics
Iowa
UK
First downs
0
24
Total yards
0
354
Rushing yards
0
121
Passing yards
0
233
Turnovers
3
1
Time of possession
22:06
37:54
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Iowa
Passing
Spencer Petras
19/30, 211 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT’s
Rushing
Gavin Williams
16 carries, 98 yards
Receiving
Sam LaPorta
7 receptions, 122 yards, 1 TD
Kentucky
Passing
Will Levis
17/28, 233 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
Chris Rodriguez Jr.
20 carries, 107 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Wan'Dale Robinson
10 receptions, 170 yards
Rankings [ edit ]
Ranking movementsLegend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking — = Not ranked RV = Received votes Week Poll Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Final AP — RV RV RV RV 16 11 15 12 18 RV RV RV 25 25 18 Coaches RV RV RV RV 23 14 11 14 12 17 RV RV 25 22 20 15 CFP Not released 18 — — — 23 22 Not released
Statistics [ edit ]
Scoring [ edit ]
Scores by quarter (All Home Games) [ edit ]
1
2
3
4
Total
Opponents
49
32
31
44
156
Kentucky
77
63
58
70
268
Scores by quarter (All Away Games) [ edit ]
1
2
3
4
Total
Kentucky
35
47
17
33
132
Opponents
10
28
42
29
109
Scores by quarter (All Neutral Field Games) [ edit ]
1
2
3
4
Total
Opponents
0
0
0
0
0
Kentucky
0
0
0
0
0
Scores by quarter (Home Games – SEC) [ edit ]
1
2
3
4
Total
Opponents
28
20
28
31
107
Kentucky
35
28
41
35
139
Scores by quarter (Away Games – SEC) [ edit ]
1
2
3
4
Total
Kentucky
21
37
3
19
80
Opponents
3
28
42
15
88
Scores by quarter (Neutral Field – SEC) [ edit ]
1
2
3
4
Total
Opponents
0
0
0
0
0
Kentucky
0
0
0
0
0
Scores by quarter (Home Games – NC) [ edit ]
1
2
3
4
Total
Opponents
21
12
3
13
49
Kentucky
42
35
17
35
129
Scores by quarter (Away Games – NC) [ edit ]
1
2
3
4
Total
Kentucky
14
10
14
14
52
Opponents
7
0
0
14
21
Scores by quarter (Neutral Field – NC) [ edit ]
1
2
3
4
Total
Opponents
0
0
0
0
0
Kentucky
0
0
0
0
0
Scores by quarter (All NC Opponents) [ edit ]
1
2
3
4
Total
Opponents
28
12
3
27
70
Kentucky
56
45
31
49
181
Scores by quarter (All SEC Opponents) [ edit ]
1
2
3
4
Total
Opponents
31
48
70
46
195
Kentucky
56
65
44
54
219
Scores by quarter (All opponents) [ edit ]
1
2
3
4
Total
Opponents
59
60
73
73
265
Kentucky
112
110
75
103
400
Media affiliates [ edit ]
CBS Family – WKYT (CBS), CBS Sports Network
ESPN /ABC Family – WTVQ (ABC), ABC , ESPN , ESPN2 , ESPNU , ESPN+ , SEC Network )
FOX Family – WDKY (FOX), FOX /FS1 , FSN
NBC – WLEX , NBC Sports , NBCSN
References [ edit ]
^ "Seven Home Games Highlight Kentucky Football 2021 Schedule" . UK Athletics . UK Athletics. January 27, 2021. Retrieved January 27, 2021 .
^ de Rond, Mark (March 1, 2017), "Hawkeye" , Doctors at War , Cornell University Press, retrieved February 25, 2022
^ "Kentucky rallies past No. 10 Florida 20–13 in SEC showdown" . ESPN.com . Associated Press. October 2, 2021. Retrieved October 3, 2021 .
^ Molly Weisner (October 29, 2021). "How to watch Mississippi State vs. Kentucky football on TV and live stream" . The Clarion-Ledger . Retrieved November 9, 2021 .
^ Gabriel Stovall (October 30, 2021). "Kentucky vs. Mississippi State: The Wildcats fall to Bulldogs 31-17" . Louisville Courier Journal . Retrieved November 9, 2021 .
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