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 .
On August 2, 2024, the NCAA announced that the University of Kentucky has agreed to accept penalties for violations of impermissible benefits as 11 football players were paid for jobs which they did not perform in the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Although the NCAA has not announced the full penalties, it has been indicated by the university that those penalties will include a 2–year probation and vacation of all games in which the ineligible players participated for those two seasons.[ 1]
Listed in the order that they were released
Award
Player
Position
Year
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 ]
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.
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).[ 2]
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 45–10 (vacated)47,693
September 11 7:30 p.m. Missouri Kroger Field Lexington, KY SECN W 35–28 (vacated)58,437
September 18 12:00 p.m. Chattanooga * Kroger Field Lexington, KY ESPN+ /SECN+W 28–23 (vacated)55,214
September 25 7:00 p.m. at South Carolina ESPN2 W 16–10 (vacated)77,559
October 2 6:00 p.m. No. 10 Florida Kroger Field Lexington, KY (rivalry ) ESPN W 20–13 (vacated)61,632
October 9 7:30 p.m. LSU No. 16 SECN W 42–21 (vacated)61,690
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 34–17 (vacated)25,798
November 20 12:00 p.m. New Mexico State * Kroger Field Lexington, KY SECN W 56–16 (vacated)47,749
November 27 7:30 p.m. at Louisville * ESPN2 W 52–21 (vacated)55,018
January 1, 2022 1:00 p.m. vs. No. 15 Iowa * No. 22 ABC W 20–17 (vacated)50,769
[ 3]
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
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
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
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
This was the Wildcats' first home win over Florida since 1986 .[ 4]
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
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)[ 5]
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
^ "Violations occurred in Kentucky football, swimming programs" . NCAA.org . August 2, 2024. Retrieved August 2, 2024 .
^ "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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