KENTUCKY VS. EASTERN KENTUCKY
KROGER FIELD – LEXINGTON, KY. SEPT. 9, 2023
FINAL SCORE: Kentucky 28, Eastern Kentucky 17
Team Records and Series Information
- Kentucky is 2-0 on the season and Eastern Kentucky is 0-2.
- Kentucky leads the all-time series with Eastern Kentucky, 6-0.
- Next up, the Wildcats complete their three-game homestand Saturday, Sept. 16 against Akron.
- Game time is 7:30 p.m. ET and it will be televised on ESPNU.
Team Notes
- UK opened the season 2-0 for the sixth time in the last seven seasons.
- It’s the first time since 1935-41 that UK has opened 2-0 in six of seven seasons.
- The Wildcats have won their last 18 regular-season nonconference games, which is the third-longest active streak in the nation, behind Alabama and Georgia.
- UK has won 16 straight nonconference games at Kroger Field.
- Under defensive coordinator Brad White, the UK defense has held its opponents to 24 points or fewer in 18 of the last 19 games.
- The Wildcats have held their opponents to less than 100 yards rushing in their last three games.
- UK held EKU to 92 rushing yards, marking the first time since 2017 that UK has held the first two opponents under 100 rushing yards.
- UK has forced at least one turnover in seven straight home games and 15 of the last 16 home games.
- UK forced two turnovers in each of the first two games for the first time since 2019.
- UK scored 28 points, the third time since 2010 that the Wildcats have tallied at least 28 points in each of the first two games of the season (also 2019 and 2021).
- Third time since 2015 that UK has won the first two games by at least 11 points (also 2018 and 2019).
- Third time since 2017 allowing 17 points or less in the first two games of the season (also 2017 and 2022).
Coach Mark Stoops
- Mark Stoops is in his 11th season as Kentucky’s head coach, extending his school record for the most seasons as the UK head coach.
- Stoops extended his school records for most total victories (68) and home victories (48).
- After two games of the 2016 season, Stoops’ record was 12-26, but he has gone 56-33 (.629) since.
Player Notes
- Quarterback Devin Leary completed 24 of his 38 passing attempts for 299 yards, just one interception, and a career-high-tying four touchdown passes.
- It marked the ninth game of his career that he has had at least four touchdown passes.
- He has thrown for at least 240 yards and at least one touchdown in each of his first two games at UK, the first UK quarterback to do so since Jared Lorenzen in 2000.
- Running back Ray Davis led the rushing attack with 12 carries for 52 yards. He also added three receptions for 36 yards, including a 24-yard touchdown reception.
- Wide receiver Tayvion Robinson made a team-high-tying six catches for a team-high 136 yards and a career-high-tying two touchdowns.
- It marked the third 100+ yards receiving game at Kentucky and of his career.
- He scored UK’s first two touchdowns, giving the Wildcats a 14-10 lead that they did not relinquish.
- Wide receiver Barion Brown had a team-high tying six receptions for 51 yards and a touchdown. He also added two carries for 34 yards.
- Brown has made a reception in every game as a Wildcat (15).
- Brown also had a 36-yard punt return to the EKU 24 under one minute before halftime, which set up Kentucky for its first score of the game.
- Wide receiver Dane Key made four catches for 42 yards.
- Has made a catch in every game as a Wildcat (15).
- Inside linebacker Trevin Wallace and defensive back Andru Phillips tied for a team-high seven tackles apiece.
- Phillips’ seven tackles were a career high for the junior.
- Wallace also recorded a quarterback sack (-7), a quarterback hurry and forced a fumble that was recovered by teammate Alex Afari.
- With Wallace’s seven tackles, he now has 105 career tackles.
- Defensive lineman Deone Walker had five tackles, a quarterback sack (-10) and two quarterback hurries.
- Kicker Alex Raynor connected on all four of his extra point attempts.
- Punter Wilson Berry had three punts for a career-best 51.7-yard average.
- All three punts were at least 50 yards, including a career-long 55-yarder, and all three landed inside the 20-yard line.
- Kicker Chance Poore was a perfect 5-of-5 on kickoff touchbacks and is now 13-of-13 for the season.
- Transfers who made their first start at Kentucky included offensive linemen Courtland Ford and Dylan Ray.
- Game captains: QB Devin Leary, DT Deone Walker, LB Trevin Wallace, DB Zion Childress
