The Kentucky Wildcats were back in action with a home matchup against the Northern Illinois Huskies as they looked to move to 4-0 on the season.
It was not a good start for the Cats’ defense as NIU drives the ball right down the field to take an early 7-0 lead.
Will Levis and the offense would answer as Levis hit true freshman Barion Brown for the 15-yard touchdown making it 7-7.
Late in the 2nd quarter, Levis stood in the pocket and delivered a great pass to Tayvion Robinson for the 69-yard touchdown to take the 14-7 lead.
The Cats got the ball back with just over a minute remaining in the half and a chance to score before the break.
However, a fumble by Kavosiey Smoke set NIU up in excellent field position, and they were able to take advantage as this one went to the break tied at 14.
Kentucky got the ball to start the 2nd half, and three plays later, Brown was standing in the end zone after a 70-yard score to make it 21-14.
Late in the 3rd quarter, the Cats were putting together a solid drive but stalled out. However, Matt Ruffolo drilled a 49-yard field goal to make it 24-14.
Halfway through the 4th, the Cats put together an 11 play, 78-yard drive that ended with Robinson’s 2nd receiving TD of the day to make it 31-14.
NIU was able to find the end zone late, but the Cats recover the onside kick and go on to win this one 31-23.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the game:
GAMEDAY MOOD pic.twitter.com/yKJ8a4JrVL
— Kentucky Athletics (@UKAthletics) September 24, 2022
First pass TD allowed by UK in 2022. Sorry if I’m behind. Listening to Tom and Jeff.
— Freddie Maggard (@FredMaggard606) September 24, 2022
NIU rushed all the way down there the first possession. Didn’t see that coming.
— Adam Luckett (@AdamLuckettKSR) September 24, 2022
Great pass pro by Smoke on 3rd and 9. He blew up a blitzer, giving Levis enough time to find Tayvion Robinson for a first down.
— Nick Roush (@RoushKSR) September 24, 2022
BARION BROWN TD!!!!!
— Drew Franklin (@DrewFranklinKSR) September 24, 2022
Nice 16-play, 75- yard answer by Kentucky offense. Levis to Brown for a 15-yd score. Brown takes exactly a step and a half and looks like he was shot out of a cannon.
— John Huang (@KYHuangs) September 24, 2022
UK 7, NIU 7 with less than a minute left in 1st qtr.
Kentucky still can’t protect Will Levis. This time against Northern Illinois. It’s officially a major problem.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) September 24, 2022
At this point opposing defenses should implement choreography for defensive-line celebrations in their weekly preparation the week leading up to playing the Cats. Ouch.
— Big Blue Drew (@BigBlueDrew33) September 24, 2022
Benny Snell Jr. is introduced to the Kroger Field crowd, followed by Benny and the Jets. He's getting a lengthy ovation from the crowd. It feels like 2018.
— Nick Roush (@RoushKSR) September 24, 2022
Welcome home, @benny_snell! #NFLCats pic.twitter.com/hZYpPviGKn
— Kentucky Athletics (@UKAthletics) September 24, 2022
That was the kind of run Kentucky desperately needed. First big-play, impose-your-will play in a good while.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) September 24, 2022
Tayvion Robinson. Phew.
— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) September 24, 2022
NFL throw by Will Levis, too. Hit as he delivered a strike.
Will Levis 69 yards to Tayvion Robinson for the TD. Nice.
— TheCatsPause247 (@TheCatsPause247) September 24, 2022
Tayvion Robinson is an absolute weapon.
— Bryan Kennedy (@BKennedyTV) September 24, 2022
UNI has been purposeful with the clock. Possessions are valuable in this one. Intent is to keep Levis on the sideline.
— Freddie Maggard (@FredMaggard606) September 25, 2022
I thought this would be the trap game. Thought it might be different with no Rocky Lombardi. Nevertheless NIU is going to make this a fight.
— Ethan DeWitt (@EthanDeWitt1) September 25, 2022
Kentucky’s biggest weakness this season: themself
— Tres Terrell (@TerrellTres) September 25, 2022
Fumbles, sacks, interceptions - this team continues to beat themselves each week.
Game changing fumble by Smoke earlier. Just can’t do that
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) September 25, 2022
I bet Stoops Halftime speech is going to be something to behold
UK with just 4 possession in the first half. Last drive inefficient on many levels.NIU capitalized. That’s how these games get lost.
— Freddie Maggard (@FredMaggard606) September 25, 2022
No chairs/whiteboards are safe in the Kroger Field Locker Rooms right now
— Max Duffy (@Max__Duffy) September 25, 2022
Next play: 70-yard Barion Brown touchdown. Bullet Dodged. https://t.co/ljMiGkfRFt
— Nick Roush (@RoushKSR) September 25, 2022
Barion Brown gonna be fun to use in the new NCAA Football 23
— BEEZY (@Burke_Franklin_) September 25, 2022
EEEEEE-Lite receivers!! Let’s Gooooooo!
— Amber Stephenson (@ambercrum209) September 25, 2022
That drive went from 0 to 100 real quick. DAMN.
— Michael Beard (@AllMikedUp_) September 25, 2022
LETS GOOOOO @UKFootball
— Mr SNELL YA LATER (@benny_snell) September 25, 2022
Kentucky will be an appealing landing spot for quarterbacks in the transfer portal with the young wide receivers they have.
— Shawn Smith (@gbbcountry) September 25, 2022
Sometimes Kenneth Horsey gets visibly exposed as about as bad as you can.
— Big Blue Drew (@BigBlueDrew33) September 25, 2022
That was a Deone Walker possession.
— Adam Luckett (@AdamLuckettKSR) September 25, 2022
Volume up. pic.twitter.com/4WiEyDV1RM
— Tres Terrell (@TerrellTres) September 25, 2022
Don't think Levis needed to step up that time. Makes me wonder if he's doubting the protection.
— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) September 25, 2022
Cats do get 49 yard field goal from Ruffolo to at least make it 24-14 but need to put this game away and not doing that
— Vaughts' Views (@vaughtsviews) September 25, 2022
Ruffolo's improved range has been impressive to see
— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) September 25, 2022
Seems like Fr. Josh Kattus has moved up to fourth in the TE pecking order. He's been out there a lot tonight.
— Jon Hale (@JonHale_HL) September 25, 2022
JuTahn McClain in on his first play since missing the last two games with an injury. Makes a catch for the first down and then follows it up with a 9-yard run.
— TheCatsPause247 (@TheCatsPause247) September 25, 2022
Another running back down. Unreal that they burned through several RBs who entered the portal, and AFTER that we were raving about the unit's depth... Now razor thin.
— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) September 25, 2022
Touchdown Kentucky! Will Levis to Tayvion Robinson for a 40-yard catch and run.
— Shawn Smith (@gbbcountry) September 25, 2022
Pass every down for all I care
— T.J. Walker (@TJWalkerRadio) September 25, 2022
Will Levis to Tayvion Robinson should just about do it. Kentucky has passing touchdowns of:
— Nick Roush (@RoushKSR) September 25, 2022
- 70 yards
- 69 yards
- 40 yards
Oh my goodness @RobinsonTayvion . Breaks a tackle on 3rd and 12 and just like that it is a 40 yard touchdown catch. Has 7 catches for 147 yards. Two weeks ago on @SundayAMSports we had @vincemarrow predict 80 catches for him this year.
— Vaughts' Views (@vaughtsviews) September 25, 2022
The ability to make big plays is what makes this Kentucky team different. Three guys who can with one play change the game
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) September 25, 2022
And Chris Rodriguez returns next week
Corners need to be more consistent. Gave up a few big plays tonight.
— Van Hiles (@vstyles17) September 25, 2022
7 SEC games in a row. pic.twitter.com/vOJtZSTzHA
— Adam Luckett (@AdamLuckettKSR) September 25, 2022
That was a PERFECT onside kick by NIU. Ball was bouncing around ... and Trevin Wallace with the huge save. Now Kentucky needs a first down to ice this thing. https://t.co/Tkzsga6PIj
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) September 25, 2022
Final: Kentucky 31, Northern Illinois 23. UK now 4-0 for the second straight season. First time the Cats have started 4-0 in back-to-back seasons since 2007-08. #BBN
— John Clay (@johnclayiv) September 25, 2022
Scoreboard math would tell you that Ole Miss/UK is a PK after today. Don’t take that bait. We’ll dive into the real data this week. See y’all in Oxford.
— Adam Luckett (@AdamLuckettKSR) September 25, 2022
@ASeaOfBlue #BBN pic.twitter.com/r9Wvz5DYUN
— Dylan Ballard (@DylanBallard_UK) September 25, 2022
We're 4-0! pic.twitter.com/ZTDRbf6hrE
— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) September 25, 2022
The last time Chris Rodriguez carried the football for Kentucky: pic.twitter.com/0paodWiEYu
— TheCatsPause247 (@TheCatsPause247) September 25, 2022
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