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NILL |
UK |
Levis' 4 TDs help No. 8 Kentucky hold off Northern Illinois
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) Otherwise under siege in the pocket, Will Levis got just enough protection to make big throws when No. 8 Kentucky needed them.
The quarterback tied a career best with four touchdown passes, including critical scores of 70 and 40 yards to Barion Brown and Tayvion Robinson, after halftime, and the Wildcats held off Northern Illinois 31-23 on Saturday night.
After allowing the pesky Huskies a tying touchdown seconds before halftime, Levis put the Wildcats (4-0) ahead 21-14 just 58 seconds into the third quarter by hitting Brown across the middle on third and 10. Coming a snap after the senior quarterback was nearly intercepted, it was just what Kentucky needed to gain room from a NIU squad unfazed by being 26-point underdogs.
Matt Ruffolo's 49-yard field goal later in the third provided a 10-point cushion and came during a hot stretch in which Levis completed eight consecutive attempts. Levis later found Tayvion Robinson, who spun off a tackle and ran 40 yards for his second TD to make it 31-17 with 8:46 remaining.
That cushion helped as the Huskies fought back to within 31-23 with 2:47 left on Justin Lynch's 2-yard run after a defensive holding penalty. Ethan Hampton's two-point conversion pass failed, Kentucky recovered the onside kick and Levis knelt to seal the win.
''Overall, just a sluggish game,'' Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said. ''Good to get it behind us. We know that's a good football team that's tough, they're gonna play hard and compete for their conference championship. We knew it wasn't going to be easy and I thought we did some good things.''
Levis overcame five sacks to complete 18 of 26 passes for 303 yards, his third 300-yard effort this season, with chunk plays comprising each TD. Robinson (seven catches, 147 yards) also had a 69-yard score on a crossing pass just as Levis was a second away from a crushing sack. Brown caught four passes for 102 yards and two scores, including a 15-yarder on Kentucky's first possession.
But for Levis, the obvious key to success was being allowed to create good things with big-play receivers.
''Two of the three (touchdowns), I had time,'' he said. ''The first one was soft protection, after that they brought pressure. Tayvion had the ability to make moves and Barion has next-level speed.''
NIU (1-3) drove 75 yards on the opening possession for Hampton's 2-yard TD pass to Tristan Tewes, who also snagged a 3-yard score from Shemar Thornton six seconds before halftime. The Huskies made it a one-score game late but lost their third in a row and second in as many weeks to a Southeastern Conference school.
''I thought we had every opportunity to go out there and win the football game,'' NIU coach Thomas Hammock said. ''We just have to continue to fight to get 11 guys doing their job every play, because you change three plays from that game and it takes 21 points off the board (for Kentucky).''
THE TAKEAWAY
Northern Illinois: Like last week against Vanderbilt, the Huskies started fast and forced the Wildcats to counterpunch before shocking them with a wideout pass in the second quarter. They harassed Levis early and often but couldn't slow his receivers who broke coverage to get open for big-play TDs.
Kentucky: Pass protection remains a concern after again allowing multiple sacks of Levis, whose rollouts bought time to hit big passes later in the game. The Wildcats still have things to correct before visiting Mississippi next week. The good news is leading rusher Chris Rodriguez Jr. returns next week from a four-game suspension, which should help the ground game provide balance.
QUARTERBACK COMMITTEE
A week after relieving an injured Rocky Lombardi, NIU freshman Ethan Hampton started this week and completed 13 of 25 passes for 196 yards. Justin Lynch also lined up behind center but rushed seven times for 21 yards including the late TD that got the Huskies within eight. Thornton made the most of his lone pass, taking a handoff and rolling right before hitting a wide-open Tewes for a score.
ODDS AND ENDS
Just two drives consumed much of the first quarter with each team marching 75 yards. NIU had 11 snaps for 6:07, Kentucky used 16 plays and 8:01. ... Kentucky won its 19th consecutive nonconference game, the longest active in FBS. ... The Huskies had six tackles for loss and out-rushed the Wildcats 128-103.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
Kentucky won but might drop after having to work harder for this victory as a heavy favorite.
UP NEXT
Northern Illinois opens MAC play at Ball State on Saturday.
Kentucky resumes SEC play at No. 16 Mississippi on Saturday.
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Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
1st Downs | 13 | 18 |
Rushing | 6 | 5 |
Passing | 7 | 12 |
Penalty | 0 | 1 |
3rd Down Conv | 6-15 | 10-16 |
4th Down Conv | 1-1 | 2-2 |
Total Net Yards | 327 | 406 |
Total Plays | 59 | 61 |
Avg Gain | 5.5 | 6.7 |
Net Yards Rushing | 128 | 103 |
Rush Attempts | 33 | 35 |
Avg Rush Yards | 3.9 | 2.9 |
Yards Passing | 199 | 303 |
Comp. - Att. | 14-26 | 18-26 |
Yards Per Pass | 7.7 | 9.1 |
Penalties - Yards | 6-45 | 2-8 |
Touchdowns | 3 | 4 |
Rushing TDs | 1 | 0 |
Passing TDs | 2 | 4 |
Other | 0 | 0 |
Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 2-1 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 6-47.8 | 3-46.3 |
Return Yards | 0 | 6 |
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 2-6 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
|
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
E. Hampton
2 QB
|
E. Hampton | 13/25 | 196 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
S. Thornton
19 WR
|
S. Thornton | 1/1 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
H. Waylee
30 RB
|
H. Waylee | 18 | 63 | 0 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Brown
1 RB
|
A. Brown | 6 | 37 | 0 | 20 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Lynch
5 QB
|
J. Lynch | 7 | 21 | 1 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. Hampton
2 QB
|
E. Hampton | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Blakemore
3 RB
|
M. Blakemore | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
K. Rutkiewicz
8 WR
|
K. Rutkiewicz | 1 | 1 | 63 | 0 | 63 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Tucker
15 WR
|
C. Tucker | 5 | 3 | 55 | 0 | 20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Tewes
82 TE
|
T. Tewes | 6 | 6 | 37 | 2 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
F. McCray
7 WR
|
F. McCray | 6 | 2 | 33 | 0 | 24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
S. Thornton
19 WR
|
S. Thornton | 2 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
L. Soraghan
83 TE
|
L. Soraghan | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
H. Waylee
30 RB
|
H. Waylee | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
D. Lafayette
3 S
|
D. Lafayette | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Rayner
9 LB
|
D. Rayner | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Byrd
2 CB
|
J. Byrd | 1-1 | 0.5 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Kennedy
5 DE
|
M. Kennedy | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Haberman
51 DT
|
C. Haberman | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. O'Malley
95 DT
|
D. O'Malley | 0-1 | 0.5 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Ester
1 DT
|
J. Ester | 0-1 | 0.5 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Taylor Jr.
10 DT
|
D. Taylor Jr. | 0-1 | 0.5 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
J. Richardson
39 K
|
J. Richardson | 1/1 | 38 | 2/2 | 5 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
T. Foley
98 P
|
T. Foley | 5 | 47.2 | 3 | 61 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. Hampton
2 QB
|
E. Hampton | 1 | 51.0 | 0 | 51 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
B. Dozier
10 RB
|
B. Dozier | 1 | 42.0 | 42 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
W. Levis
7 QB
|
W. Levis | 18/26 | 303 | 4 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
K. Smoke
0 RB
|
K. Smoke | 12 | 85 | 0 | 27 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. McClain
17 RB
|
J. McClain | 3 | 15 | 0 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. Wright
29 RB
|
L. Wright | 9 | 14 | 0 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
W. Levis
7 QB
|
W. Levis | 9 | -10 | 0 | 5 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
T. Robinson
9 WR
|
T. Robinson | 7 | 7 | 147 | 2 | 69 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
B. Brown
2 WR
|
B. Brown | 5 | 4 | 102 | 2 | 70 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Dingle
85 TE
|
J. Dingle | 2 | 1 | 19 | 0 | 19 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Key
6 WR
|
D. Key | 3 | 2 | 15 | 0 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
L. Wright
29 RB
|
L. Wright | 1 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
B. Bates
80 TE
|
B. Bates | 5 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. McClain
17 RB
|
J. McClain | 1 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
K. Upshaw
88 TE
|
K. Upshaw | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
K. Smoke
0 RB
|
K. Smoke | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
M. Ruffolo
96 K
|
M. Ruffolo | 1/1 | 49 | 4/4 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||
B. Bates
80 TE
|
B. Bates | 0/0 | 0 | 1/1 | 1 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
C. Goodfellow
94 P
|
C. Goodfellow | 3 | 46.3 | 1 | 60 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
T. Robinson 9 WR
|
T. Robinson | 2 | 3.0 | 4 | 0 |
1st | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
15:00 | NILL 25 | 6:07 | 11 | 75 | TD |
0:48 | NILL 25 | 2:47 | 6 | 24 | Punt |
2nd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
8:50 | NILL 35 | 2:03 | 3 | 2 | Punt |
5:08 | NILL 25 | 4:13 | 9 | 24 | Punt |
0:42 | UK 34 | 0:36 | 6 | 34 | TD |
3rd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
14:02 | NILL 48 | 1:01 | 3 | 4 | Punt |
8:37 | NILL 10 | 1:21 | 3 | 7 | Punt |
3:04 | NILL 25 | 3:17 | 7 | 12 | Punt |
4th | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
8:46 | NILL 25 | 3:20 | 7 | 55 | FG |
4:14 | NILL 32 | 1:27 | 5 | 68 | TD |
1st | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
8:53 | UK 25 | 8:05 | 16 | 75 | TD |
2nd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
13:01 | UK 20 | 4:11 | 6 | 6 | Punt |
6:47 | UK 2 | 1:39 | 4 | 98 | TD |
0:55 | UK 11 | 0:13 | 2 | 23 | Fumble |
3rd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
15:00 | UK 30 | 0:58 | 3 | 70 | TD |
13:01 | UK 10 | 4:24 | 6 | 20 | Punt |
7:16 | UK 33 | 4:12 | 7 | 36 | FG |
4th | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
14:47 | UK 22 | 6:01 | 11 | 78 | TD |
5:26 | UK 23 | 1:12 | 3 | 5 | Punt |
2:47 | UK 46 | 2:47 | 4 | 10 | Game |
- Touchdown (11 plays, 75 yards, 6:07 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
Kickoff | (15:00 - 1st) C.Poore kicks 65 yards from KEN 35 to the NIL End Zone. Touchback. |
+6 YD | 1 & 10 - NILL 25 (15:00 - 1st) H.Waylee rushed to NIL 31 for 6 yards. Tackled by KEN at NIL 31. |
+4 YD | 2 & 4 - NILL 31 (14:23 - 1st) E.Hampton pass complete to NIL 31. Catch made by T.Tewes at NIL 31. Gain of 4 yards. Tackled by KEN at NIL 35. |
+6 YD | 1 & 10 - NILL 35 (14:07 - 1st) H.Waylee rushed to NIL 41 for 6 yards. Tackled by KEN at NIL 41. |
+14 YD | 2 & 4 - NILL 41 (13:40 - 1st) E.Hampton pass complete to NIL 41. Catch made by T.Tewes at NIL 41. Gain of 14 yards. Tackled by KEN at KEN 45. |
+3 YD | 1 & 10 - UK 45 (13:30 - 1st) H.Waylee rushed to KEN 42 for 3 yards. Tackled by KEN at KEN 42. |
+6 YD | 2 & 7 - UK 42 (12:47 - 1st) J.Lynch rushed to KEN 36 for 6 yards. Tackled by KEN at KEN 36. |
+7 YD | 3 & 1 - UK 36 (12:03 - 1st) J.Lynch rushed to KEN 29 for 7 yards. Tackled by KEN at KEN 29. |
Penalty | 1 & 10 - UK 29 (11:24 - 1st) PENALTY on KEN-K.Saunders Defensive Offside 5 yards accepted. No Play. |
+20 YD | 1 & 5 - UK 24 (10:58 - 1st) A.Brown rushed to KEN 4 for 20 yards. Tackled by KEN at KEN 4. |
+1 YD | 1 & Goal - UK 4 (10:20 - 1st) A.Brown rushed to KEN 3 for 1 yards. Tackled by KEN at KEN 3. |
+1 YD | 2 & Goal - UK 3 (9:40 - 1st) J.Lynch rushed to KEN 2 for 1 yards. Tackled by KEN at KEN 2. |
+2 YD | 3 & Goal - UK 2 (9:02 - 1st) E.Hampton pass complete to KEN 2. Catch made by T.Tewes at KEN 2. Gain of 2 yards. T.Tewes for 2 yards TOUCHDOWN. |
PAT Good | (8:53 - 1st) J.Richardson extra point is good. |
- Touchdown (16 plays, 75 yards, 8:05 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
Kickoff | (8:53 - 1st) J.Richardson kicks 44 yards from NIL 35 to the KEN 21. K.Smoke returns the kickoff. Tackled by T.Porter at KEN 25. |
No Gain | 1 & 10 - UK 25 (8:49 - 1st) W.Levis steps back to pass. W.Levis pass incomplete intended for B.Brown. |
+3 YD | 2 & 10 - UK 25 (8:44 - 1st) K.Smoke rushed to KEN 28 for 3 yards. Tackled by NIL at KEN 28. |
+6 YD | 3 & 7 - UK 28 (8:26 - 1st) W.Levis pass complete to KEN 28. Catch made by D.Key at KEN 28. Gain of 6 yards. Tackled by NIL at KEN 34. |
+1 YD | 4 & 1 - UK 34 (7:47 - 1st) W.Levis rushed to KEN 35 for 1 yards. Tackled by NIL at KEN 35. |
No Gain | 1 & 10 - UK 35 (7:17 - 1st) W.Levis steps back to pass. W.Levis pass incomplete intended for J.Dingle. |
+8 YD | 2 & 10 - UK 35 (7:03 - 1st) K.Smoke rushed to KEN 43 for 8 yards. K.Smoke FUMBLES forced by D.Lafayette. Fumble RECOVERED by KEN-K.Smoke at KEN 43. Tackled by NIL at KEN 43. |
+8 YD | 3 & 2 - UK 43 (6:35 - 1st) W.Levis pass complete to KEN 43. Catch made by L.Wright at KEN 43. Gain of 8 yards. Tackled by NIL at NIL 49. |
+5 YD | 1 & 10 - NILL 49 (6:10 - 1st) L.Wright rushed to NIL 44 for 5 yards. Tackled by NIL at NIL 44. |
-1 YD | 2 & 5 - NILL 44 (5:41 - 1st) L.Wright rushed to NIL 45 for -1 yards. Tackled by NIL at NIL 45. |
+6 YD | 3 & 6 - NILL 45 (5:10 - 1st) W.Levis pass complete to NIL 45. Catch made by T.Robinson at NIL 45. Gain of 6 yards. Tackled by NIL at NIL 39. |
+11 YD | 1 & 10 - NILL 39 (4:39 - 1st) W.Levis pass complete to NIL 39. Catch made by B.Brown at NIL 39. Gain of 11 yards. Tackled by NIL at NIL 28. |
+1 YD | 1 & 10 - NILL 28 (3:49 - 1st) K.Smoke rushed to NIL 27 for 1 yards. Tackled by NIL at NIL 27. |
No Gain | 2 & 9 - NILL 27 (3:06 - 1st) W.Levis steps back to pass. W.Levis pass incomplete intended for K.Smoke. |
+9 YD | 3 & 9 - NILL 27 (2:48 - 1st) W.Levis pass complete to NIL 27. Catch made by T.Robinson at NIL 27. Gain of 9 yards. Tackled by NIL at NIL 18. |