2021 Kentucky Wildcats football team

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2021 Kentucky Wildcats football
Citrus Bowl champion
Citrus Bowl, W 20–17 vs. Iowa
ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
DivisionEastern Division
Ranking
CoachesNo. 15
APNo. 18
Record10–3 (5–3 SEC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorLiam Coen (1st season)
Offensive schemeMultiple pro-style
Defensive coordinatorBrad White (3rd season)
Co-defensive coordinatorJon Sumrall (1st season)
Base defense3–4 or 4–3
Home stadiumKroger Field
Seasons
← 2020
2022 →
2021 Southeastern Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
East Division
No. 1 Georgia x#^   8 0     14 1  
No. 18 Kentucky   5 3     10 3  
Tennessee   4 4     7 6  
Missouri   3 5     6 7  
South Carolina   3 5     7 6  
Florida   2 6     6 7  
Vanderbilt   0 8     2 10  
West Division
No. 2 Alabama x$^   7 1     13 2  
No. 11 Ole Miss   6 2     10 3  
No. 21 Arkansas   4 4     9 4  
Mississippi State   4 4     7 6  
Texas A&M   4 4     8 4  
Auburn   3 5     6 7  
LSU   3 5     6 7  
Championship: Alabama 41, Georgia 24
  • # – College Football Playoff champion
  • ^ – College Football Playoff participant
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
Rankings from AP Poll

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]

Back B Center C Cornerback CB Defensive back DB
Defensive end DE Defensive lineman DL Defensive tackle DT End E
Fullback FB Place Kicker PK Guard G Halfback HB Kicker K
Kickoff returner KR Offensive tackle OT Offensive lineman OL Linebacker LB
Long snapper LS Split end SE Punter P Punt returner PR Quarterback QB
Running back RB Safety S Tight end TE Wide receiver WR

Preseason[edit]

Award watch lists[edit]

Listed in the order that they were released

Award Player Position Year

SEC Media Days[edit]

Preseason All-SEC teams[edit]

Personnel[edit]

Coaching staff[edit]

Name Position Years at Kentucky
Mark Stoops Head coach 9th
Vince Marrow Associate head coach/tight end coach 9th
Liam Coen Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach 1st
Brad White Defensive coordinator/Outside linebackers coach 4th
John Settle Running backs coach 1st
Jon Sumrall Inside linebackers coach /co-defensive coordinator 3rd
Frank Buffano Safeties coach 2nd
Eric Wolford Offensive line coach 1st
Scott Woodward Wide receivers coach 1st
Anwar Stewart Defensive line coach 2nd
Mark Hill Strength and conditioning 6th
Reference:

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.

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 412:00 p.m.Louisiana–Monroe*SECNW 45–1047,693
September 117:30 p.m.Missouri
  • Kroger Field
  • Lexington, KY
SECNW 35–2858,437
September 1812:00 p.m.Chattanooga*
  • Kroger Field
  • Lexington, KY
ESPN+/SECN+W 28–2355,214
September 257:00 p.m.at South CarolinaESPN2W 16–1077,559
October 26:00 p.m.No. 10 Florida
  • Kroger Field
  • Lexington, KY (rivalry)
ESPNW 20–1361,632
October 97:30 p.m.LSUNo. 16
SECNW 42–2161,690
October 163:30 p.m.at No. 1 GeorgiaNo. 11CBSL 13–3092,746
October 307:00 p.m.at Mississippi StateNo. 12SECNL 17–3149,487
November 67:00 p.m.TennesseeNo. 18
  • Kroger Field
  • Lexington, KY (rivalry)
ESPN2L 42–4561,690
November 137:00 p.m.at VanderbiltESPN2W 34–1725,798
November 2012:00 p.m.New Mexico State*
  • Kroger Field
  • Lexington, KY
SECNW 56–1647,749
November 277:30 p.m.at Louisville*ESPN2W 52–2155,018
January 1, 20221:00 p.m.vs. No. 15 Iowa*No. 22ABCW 20–1750,769

[2]

Game summaries[edit]

Louisiana–Monroe[edit]

1 234Total
Louisiana–Monroe 7 003 10
Kentucky 14 14314 45
  • Date: September 4
  • Location: Lexington, KY
  • Game start: 12:03 p.m.
  • Elapsed time: 3:11
  • Game attendance: 47,693
  • Game weather: 78 °F (26 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: SW 7 MPH
  • Referee: Jason McArthur
  • TV announcers (SECN): Taylor Zarzour (play-by-play), Matt Stinchcomb (color), Alyssa Lang (sideline)
  • Source: Official Box Score
     
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 234Total
Missouri 7 777 28
Kentucky 14 777 35
  • Date: September 11
  • Location: Lexington, KY
  • Game start: 7:38 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 58,437
  • Game weather: Sunny, 74°F, Wind S @ 8 mph
  • Referee: Ken Williamson
  • TV announcers (SECN): Taylor Zarzour (play-by-play), Matt Stinchcomb (color), Alyssa Lang (sideline)
  • Sources:
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 234Total
Chattanooga 7 3310 23
Kentucky 7 7014 28
  • Date: September 18
  • Location: Lexington, KY
  • Game start: 12:02 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 55,214
  • Game weather: Sunny, 81°F, Wind E @ 3 mph
  • Referee: David Smith
  • TV announcers (ESPN+, SEC Network+): Mike Morgan (play-by-play), Ben Hartsock (color), Paul Carcaterra (sideline)
  • Sources:
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 Four – Kentucky Wildcats (3-0) at South Carolina Gamecocks (2-1)
Period 1 2 34Total
Kentucky 7 3 3316
South Carolina 0 0 7310

at Williams-Brice StadiumColumbia, South Carolina

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 234Total
No. 10 Florida 7 303 13
Kentucky 7 067 20
  • Date: October 2
  • Location: Lexington, KY
  • Game start: 6:01 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 61,632
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 75°F, Wind SW @ 6 mph
  • Referee: Marc Curles
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Bob Wischusen (play-by-play), Dan Orlovsky (color), Kris Budden (sideline)
  • Sources:
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

LSU[edit]

1 234Total
LSU 0 0714 21
No. 16 Kentucky 7 71414 42
  • Date: October 9
  • Location: Lexington, KY
  • Game start: 7:39 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 61,690
  • Game weather: Sunny, 72°F, Wind SE @ 5 mph
  • Referee: David Smith
  • TV announcers (SECN): Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (color), Cole Cubelic (sideline)
  • Sources:
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 234Total
No. 11 Kentucky 0 706 13
No. 1 Georgia 0 14106 30
  • Sources:
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 234Total
No. 12 Kentucky 7 307 17
Mississippi State 0 14170 31
  • Date: October 30
  • Location: Starkville, MS
  • Game start: 6:09 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 49,487
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 55°F, Wind NW @ 5 mph
  • Referee: Lee Hendrick
  • TV 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 234Total
Tennessee 14 10147 45
No. 18 Kentucky 7 14147 42
  • Date: November 6
  • Location: Lexington, KY
  • Game start: 7:05 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 61,690
  • Game weather: Sunny, 46°F, Wind N @ 4 mph
  • Referee: Steve Marlowe
  • TV announcers (ESPN2): Beth Mowins (play-by-play), Kirk Morrison (color), Dawn Davenport (sideline)
  • Sources:
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 234Total
Kentucky 7 2403 34
Vanderbilt 3 086 17
  • Date: November 13
  • Location: Nashville, TN
  • Game start: 6:05 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 25,798
  • Game weather: Sunny, 42°F, Wind N @ 1 mph
  • Referee: Ken Williamson
  • TV announcers (ESPN2): Anish Shroff (play-by-play), Mike Golic Jr. (color), Taylor McGregor (sideline)
  • Sources:
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 234Total
New Mexico St 7 900 16
Kentucky 21 14147 56
  • Date: November 20
  • Location: Lexington, KY
  • Game start: 12:03 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 47,749
  • Game weather: Sunny, 52°F, Wind SW @ 9 mph
  • Referee: Alex Moore
  • TV announcers (SECN): Taylor Zarzour (play-by-play), Matt Stinchcomb (color), Tera Talmadge (sideline)
  • Sources:
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 234Total
Kentucky 14 101414 52
Louisville 7 0014 21
  • Date: November 27
  • Location: Louisville, KY
  • Game start: 7:41 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 55,018
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 48°F, Wind SW @ 3 mph
  • Referee: Matt Loeffler
  • TV announcers (ESPN2): Chris Cotter (play-by-play), Mark Herzlich (color), Jalyn Johnson (sideline)
  • Sources:
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 234Total
No. 15 Iowa 0 377 17
No. 22 Kentucky 7 607 20
  • Sources:
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 movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
APRVRVRVRV1611151218RVRVRV252518
CoachesRVRVRVRV231411141217RVRV25222015
CFPNot released182322Not 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]

Radio[edit]

TV[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Seven Home Games Highlight Kentucky Football 2021 Schedule". UK Athletics. UK Athletics. January 27, 2021. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  2. ^ de Rond, Mark (March 1, 2017), "Hawkeye", Doctors at War, Cornell University Press, retrieved February 25, 2022
  3. ^ "Kentucky rallies past No. 10 Florida 20–13 in SEC showdown". ESPN.com. Associated Press. October 2, 2021. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ Gabriel Stovall (October 30, 2021). "Kentucky vs. Mississippi State: The Wildcats fall to Bulldogs 31-17". Louisville Courier Journal. Retrieved November 9, 2021.