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2023 Kentucky Wildcats football team

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2023 Kentucky Wildcats football
Gator Bowl, L 35–38 vs. Clemson
ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
DivisionEast Division
Record7–6 (3–5 SEC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorLiam Coen (2nd overall season)
Offensive schemeMultiple pro-style
Defensive coordinatorBrad White (5th season)
Base defense3–4 or 4–3
Home stadiumKroger Field
Seasons
← 2022
2024 →
2023 Southeastern Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
East Division
No. 4 Georgia xy   8 – 0     13 – 1  
No. 8 Missouri   6 – 2     11 – 2  
No. 17 Tennessee   4 – 4     9 – 4  
Kentucky   3 – 5     7 – 6  
Florida   3 – 5     5 – 7  
South Carolina   3 – 5     5 – 7  
Vanderbilt   0 – 8     2 – 10  
West Division
No. 5 Alabama xy$^   8 – 0     12 – 2  
No. 9 Ole Miss   6 – 2     11 – 2  
No. 12 LSU   6 – 2     10 – 3  
Texas A&M   4 – 4     7 – 6  
Auburn   3 – 5     6 – 7  
Mississippi State   1 – 7     5 – 7  
Arkansas   1 – 7     4 – 8  
Championship: Alabama 27, Georgia 24
  • ^ – College Football Playoff participant
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2023 Kentucky Wildcats football team represented the University of Kentucky in the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Wildcats were led by Mark Stoops in his 11th year as their head coach. The Kentucky football team played their home games at Kroger Field in Lexington, Kentucky. The Kentucky Wildcats football team drew an average home attendance of 60,939 in 2023.[1]

This was the final year for the SEC's East–West divisional setup, as Texas and Oklahoma joined the conference in 2024.[2]

Schedule

[edit]
DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 212:00 p.m.Ball State*
SECNW 44–1458,286
September 93:00 p.m.Eastern Kentucky*
  • Kroger Field
  • Lexington, KY
SECN+, ESPN+W 28–1761,876
September 167:30 p.m.Akron*
  • Kroger Field
  • Lexington, KY
ESPNUW 35–359,456
September 2312:00 p.m.at Vanderbilt
SECNW 45–2826,279
September 3012:00 p.m.No. 22 Florida
ESPNW 33–1461,699
October 77:00 p.m.at No. 1 GeorgiaNo. 20
ESPNL 13–5192,746
October 147:30 p.m.MissouriNo. 24
  • Kroger Field
  • Lexington, KY
SECNL 21–3861,654
October 287:00 p.m.No. 21 Tennessee
  • Kroger Field
  • Lexington, KY (rivalry)
ESPNL 27–3361,665
November 47:30 p.m.at Mississippi State
SECNW 24–352,329
November 1112:00 p.m.No. 8 Alabama
  • Kroger Field
  • Lexington, KY (SEC Nation)
ESPNL 21–4961,936
November 187:30 p.m.at South Carolina
SECNL 14–1777,788
November 2512:00 p.m.at No. 10 Louisville*
ABCW 38–3159,225
December 2912:00 p.m.vs. No. 22 Clemson*
ESPNL 35–3840,132

[3][4][5]

Coaching staff

[edit]
Name Position Years at Kentucky
Mark Stoops Head coach 11th
Vince Marrow Associate head coach/tight ends coach 11th
Liam Coen Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach 2nd
Brad White Defensive coordinator/outside linebackers coach 5th
Jay Boulware Running backs coach 1st
Mike Stoops Inside linebackers coach 2nd
Frank Buffano Safeties coach 4th
Chris Collins Defensive backs coach 3rd
Zach Yenser Offensive line coach 2nd
Scott Woodward Wide receivers coach 3rd
Anwar Stewart Defensive line coach 4th
Mark Hill Strength and conditioning 8th
Reference:

Game summaries

[edit]

Ball State

[edit]
See also: 2023 Ball State Cardinals football team
Game One – Ball State Cardinals (0–0) at Kentucky Wildcats (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Ball State 7 0 7014
Kentucky 3 20 14744

at Kroger Field • Lexington, KY

  • Date: Saturday, September 2, 2023
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: -
  • Game attendance: 58,286
  • TV: SEC Network
Game information
First quarter
  • (13:17) UK – Alex Raynor 41-yard field goal (Drive: 5 plays, 51 yards, 1:43; Kentucky 3–0)
  • (1:35) BALL – Layne Hatcher 2-yard run (Jackson Courville kick) (Drive: 13 plays, 73 yards, 7:05; Ball State 7–3)
Second quarter
  • (11:31) UK – Ray Davis 2-yard run (Alex Raynor kick) (Drive: 11 plays, 70 yards, 4:58; Kentucky 10–7)
  • (6:58) UK – Jalen Geiger 0-yard fumble return (Alex Raynor kick) (Kentucky 17–7)
  • (1:08) UK – Alex Raynor 46-yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, 2 yards, 0:10; Kentucky 20–7)
  • (0:00) UK – Alex Raynor 46-yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, 26 yards, 0:31; Kentucky 23–7)
Third quarter
  • (6:43) UK – Dane Key 5-yard pass from Devin Leary (Alex Raynor kick) (Drive: 7 plays, 89 yards, 2:37; Kentucky 30–7)
  • (0:42) BALL – Ty Robinson 5-yard pass from Kadin Semonza (Jackson Courville kick) (Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 6:01; Kentucky 30–14)
  • (0:28) UK – Barion Brown 99-yard kickoff return (Alex Raynor kick) (Kentucky 37–14)
Fourth quarter
  • (0:06) UK – Ray Davis 30 yard run (Alex Raynor kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 66 yards, 3:16; Kentucky 44–14)
Statistics BALL UK
First downs 18 17
Total yards 71–295 51–354
Rushing yards 41–72 20–113
Passing yards 223 241
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 22–30–0 18–31–1
Time of possession 38:16 21:44
Team Category Player Statistics
Ball State Passing Kadin Semonza 15/21, 165 yards, TD
Rushing Marquez Cooper 15 carries, 33 yards
Receiving Ty Robinson 5 receptions, 90 yards, TD
Kentucky Passing Devin Leary 18/31, 241 yards, TD, INT
Rushing Ray Davis 14 carries, 112 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Dane Key 5 receptions, 96 yards, TD

Eastern Kentucky

[edit]
See also: 2023 Eastern Kentucky Colonels football team
Game Two – Eastern Kentucky Colonels (0–1) at Kentucky Wildcats (1–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Eastern Kentucky 7 0 3717
Kentucky 0 7 14728

at Kroger Field • Lexington, KY

  • Date: Saturday, September 9, 2023
  • Game time: 3:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 72 °F (22 °C) • Wind: NE 12 miles per hour (19 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 61,876
  • Referee: Ken Williamson
  • TV announcers (SECN+): Peter Sousa (play-by-play), Takeo Spikes (analyst)
Game information
First quarter
  • (10:46) EKU – Parker McKinney 14-yard run (Patrick Nations kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 30 yards, 2:32; Eastern Kentucky 7-0)
Second quarter
  • (0:42) UK – Tayvion Robinson 24-yard pass from Devin Leary (Alex Raynor kick) (Drive: 1 play, 24 yards, 0:06; Tied 7-7)
Third quarter
  • (9:41) EKU – Patrick Nations 21-yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 71 yards, 5:19; Eastern Kentucky 10-7)
  • (5:47) UK – Tayvion Robinson 6-yard pass from Devin Leary (Alex Raynor kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 72 yards, 3:54; Kentucky 14-10)
  • (1:47) UK – Barion Brown 13-yard pass from Devin Leary (Alex Raynor kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 85 yards, 2:00; Kentucky 21-10)
Fourth quarter
  • (12:04) EKU – Braedon Sloan 9-yard pass from Parker McKinney (Patrick Nations kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:43; Kentucky 21-17)
  • (8:08) UK – Ray Davis 24-yard pass from Devin Leary (Alex Raynor kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 65 yards, 3:49; Kentucky 28-17)
Statistics EKU UK
First downs 15 20
Total yards 56–311 61–414
Rushing yards 27–92 23–115
Passing yards 219 299
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 19–29–1 24–38–1
Time of possession 27:53 32:07
Team Category Player Statistics
Eastern Kentucky Passing Parker McKinney 19/29, 219 yards, TD, INT
Rushing Braedon Sloan 7 carries, 48 yards
Receiving Bryant Johnson 2 receptions, 53 yards
Kentucky Passing Devin Leary 24/38, 299 yards, 4 TD, INT
Rushing Ray Davis 12 carries, 52 yards
Receiving Tayvion Robinson 6 receptions, 136 yards, 2 TD

Akron

[edit]
See also: 2023 Akron Zips football team
Game Three – Akron Zips (1–1) at Kentucky Wildcats (2–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Akron 0 0 303
Kentucky 7 7 71435

at Kroger Field • Lexington, KY

  • Date: Saturday, September 16, 2023
  • Game time: 7:30 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: -
  • Game attendance: 59,456
  • Referee: Lee Hedrick
  • TV announcers (ESPNU): Courtney Lyle (play-by-play), Hutson Mason (analyst)
Game information
First quarter
  • (10:34) UK – Josh Kattus 6-yard pass from Devin Leary (Alex Raynor kick) (Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 4:26; Kentucky 7-0)
Second quarter
  • (0:08) UK – Tayvion Robinson 22-yard pass from Devin Leary (Alex Raynor kick) (Drive: 10 plays, 70 yards, 5:31; Kentucky 14-0)
Third quarter
  • (3:27) AKR – Noah Perez 36-yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 27 yards, 5:33; Kentucky 14-3)
  • (1:38) UK – Ray Davis 58-yard pass from Devin Leary (Alex Raynor kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 81 yards, 1:14; Kentucky 21-3)
Fourth quarter
  • (13:47) UK – Ray Davis 55-yard run (Alex Raynor kick) (Drive: 3 plays, 73 yards, 1:08; Kentucky 28-3)
  • (3:04) UK – Demie Sumo-Karngbaye 4-yard run (Alex Raynor kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 62 yards, 2:03; Kentucky 35-3)
Statistics AKR UK
First downs 16 18
Total yards 66–239 48–450
Rushing yards 25–49 22–135
Passing yards 190 315
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 29–41–0 16–26–1
Time of possession 34:47 25:13
Team Category Player Statistics
Akron Passing DJ Irons 23/34, 130 yards
Rushing Lorenzo Lingard 7 carries, 30 yards
Receiving Jasaiah Gathings 5 receptions, 43 yards
Kentucky Passing Devin Leary 16/25, 315 yards, 3 TD, INT
Rushing Ray Davis 7 carries, 72 yards, TD
Receiving Ray Davis 3 receptions, 97 yards, TD

at Vanderbilt (rivalry)

[edit]
See also: 2023 Vanderbilt Commodores football team
Game Four – Kentucky Wildcats (3–0) at Vanderbilt Commodores (2–2) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Kentucky 21 3 71445
Vanderbilt 0 10 31528

at FirstBank Stadium • Nashville, Tennessee

  • Date: Saturday, September 23, 2023
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 75 °F (24 °C) • Wind: NE 4 miles per hour (6.4 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 26,279
  • Referee: Daniel Gautreaux
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Taylor Zarzour (play-by-play), Matt Stinchcomb (color) and Alyssa Lang (sideline)
Game information
First quarter
  • (9:51) UK – JuTahn McClain 36-yard run (Alex Raynor kick) (Drive: 7 plays, 82 yards, 3:42; Kentucky 7-0)
  • (8:14) UK – Maxwell Hairston 29-yard interception return (Alex Raynor kick) (Kentucky 14-0)
  • (1:56) UK – Ray Davis 2-yard run (Alex Raynor kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 69 yards, 2:04; Kentucky 21-0)
Second quarter
  • (4:53) UK – Alex Raynor 27-yard field goal (Drive: 13 plays, 74 yards, 6:25; Kentucky 24-0)
  • (2:51) VAN – Jacob Borcila 41-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 52 yards, 2:02; Kentucky 24-3)
  • (0:20) VAN – Sedrick Alexander 7-yard run (Jacob Borcila kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 57 yards, 1:38; Kentucky 24-10)
Third quarter
  • (11:25) VAN – Jacob Borcila 32-yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, 3 yards, 0:51; Kentucky 24-13)
  • (6:44) UK – Ray Davis 1-yard run (Alex Raynor kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 11 yards, 2:03; Kentucky 31-13)
Fourth quarter
  • (10:35) UK – Dane Key 22-yard pass from Devin Leary (Alex Raynor kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 73 yards, 6:40; Kentucky 38-13)
  • (8:00) VAN – Patrick Smith 2-yard run (AJ Swann pass to Quincy Skinner Jr) (Drive: 7 plays, 66 yards, 2:28; Kentucky 38-21)
  • (4:15) UK – Maxwell Hairston 54-yard interception return (Alex Raynor kick) (Kentucky 45-21)
  • (0:23) VAN – Kamrean Johnson 10-yard pass from Ken Seals (Jacob Borcila kick) (Drive: 14 plays, 75 yards, 3:52; Kentucky 45-28)
Statistics UK VAN
First downs 18 20
Total yards 60–365 74–328
Rushing yards 31–160 27–97
Passing yards 205 231
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 15–29–2 20–47–4
Time of possession 31:11 28:49
Team Category Player Statistics
Kentucky Passing Devin Leary 15/29, 205 yards, TD, 2 INT
Rushing Ray Davis 17 carries, 78 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Barion Brown 4 receptions, 105 yards
Vanderbilt Passing AJ Swann 16/40, 189 yards, 3 INT
Rushing Sedrick Alexander 8 carries, 37 yards, TD
Receiving Gamarion Carter 2 receptions, 48 yards

No. 22 Florida (rivalry)

[edit]
See also: 2023 Florida Gators football team
Game Five – No. 22 Florida Gators (3–1) at Kentucky Wildcats (4–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 22 Florida 0 7 7014
Kentucky 16 7 7333

at Kroger Field • Lexington, Kentucky

  • Date: Saturday, September 30, 2023
  • Game time: 12:07 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Temperature: 78 °F (26 °C) • Wind: E at 6 miles per hour (9.7 km/h) • Weather: sunny
  • Game attendance: 61,699
  • Referee: Matt Loeffler
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Joe Tessitore (play-by-play), Jesse Palmer (analyst), and Katie George (sideline reporter)[6]
  • Pregame line: UK −1.5 Over/Under: 43.5
Game information
First quarter
  • (7:13) UK – Alex Raynor 24-yard field goal (Drive: 12 plays, 81 yards, 5:02; Kentucky 3-0)
  • (5:37) UK – Ray Davis 9-yard pass from Devin Leary (Alex Raynor kick) (Drive: 2 plays, 15 yards, 0:40; Kentucky 10-0)
  • (0:23) UK – Ray Davis 75-yard run (Alex Raynor PAT blocked) (Drive: 4 plays, 90 yards, 0:35; Kentucky 16-0)
Second quarter
  • (8:54) UK – Ray Davis 3-yard run (Alex Raynor kick) (Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 3:56; Kentucky 23-0)
  • (0:34) FLA – Hayden Hansen 4-yard pass from Graham Mertz (Trey Smack kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:15; Kentucky 23-7)
Third quarter
  • (10:54) UK – Ray Davis 2-yard run (Alex Raynor kick) (Drive: 8 plays, 68 yards, 3:56; Kentucky 30-7)
  • (7:17) FLA – Ricky Pearsall 33-yard pass from Graham Mertz (Trey Smack kick) (Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:17; Kentucky 30-14)
Fourth quarter
  • (7:44) UK – Alex Raynor 50-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 15 yards, 3:40; Kentucky 33-14)
Statistics FLA UK
First downs 15 23
Total yards 59–313 56–398
Rushing yards 29–69 36–329
Passing yards 244 69
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 25–30–1 9–20–0
Time of possession 31:14 28:46
Team Category Player Statistics
Florida Passing Graham Mertz 25/30, 244 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing Montrell Johnson Jr. 10 carries, 42 yards
Receiving Ricky Pearsall 3 receptions, 62 yards, TD
Kentucky Passing Devin Leary 9/20, 69 yards, TD
Rushing Ray Davis 26 carries, 280 yards, 3 TD
Receiving Barion Brown 4 receptions, 37 yards

at No. 1 Georgia

[edit]
See also: 2023 Georgia Bulldogs football team
Game Six – No. 20 Kentucky Wildcats (5–0) at No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs (5–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 20 Kentucky 0 7 6013
No. 1 Georgia 14 20 10751

at Sanford Stadium • Athens, Georgia

Game information
First quarter
  • (11:26) UGA – Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint 40-yard pass from Carson Beck (Peyton Woodring kick) (Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:34; Georgia 7-0)
  • (4:25) UGA – RaRa Thomas 15-yard pass from Carson Beck (Peyton Woodring kick) (Drive: 7 plays, 82 yards, 3:41; Georgia 14-0)
Second quarter
  • (11:03) UGA – Oscar Delp 5-yard pass from Carson Beck (Peyton Woodring kick) (Drive: 13 plays, 95 yards, 5:58; Georgia 21-0)
  • (6:44) UK – Josh Kattus 4-yard pass from Devin Leary (Alex Raynor kick) (Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:19; Georgia 21-7)
  • (5:15) UGA – Peyton Woodring 36-yard field goal (Drive: 5 plays, 53 yards, 1:29; Georgia 24-7)
  • (1:01) UGA – Kendall Milton 5-yard run (Peyton Woodring kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 55 yards, 2:39; Georgia 31-7)
  • (0:00) UGA – Peyton Woodring 42-yard field goal (Drive: 3 plays, 38 yards, 0:22; Georgia 34-7)
Third quarter
  • (10:34) UK – Ray Davis 26-yard pass from Devin Leary (run failed) (Drive: 2 plays, 28 yards, 0:52; Georgia 34-13)
  • (3:27) UGA – Peyton Woodring 32-yard field goal (Drive: 12 plays, 56 yards, 7:07; Georgia 37-13)
  • (0:39) UGA – Brock Bowers 21-yard pass from Carson Beck (Peyton Woodring kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 42 yards, 1:19; Georgia 44-13)
Fourth quarter
  • (2:38) UGA – Andrew Paul 7-yard pass from Brock Vandagriff (Peyton Woodring kick) (Drive: 12 plays, 92 yards, 6:38; Georgia 51-13)
Statistics UK UGA
First downs 12 33
Total yards 50–183 73–608
Rushing yards 24–55 31–173
Passing yards 128 435
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 10–26–0 33–42–1
Time of possession 22:32 37:28
Team Category Player Statistics
Kentucky Passing Devin Leary 10/26, 128 yards, 2 TD
Rushing Ray Davis 15 carries, 59 yards
Receiving Dane Key 3 receptions, 65 yards
Georgia Passing Carson Beck 28/35, 389 yards, 4 TD, INT
Rushing Daijun Edwards 9 carries, 54 yards
Receiving Brock Bowers 7 receptions, 132 yards, TD

Missouri

[edit]
See also: 2023 Missouri Tigers football team
Game Seven – Missouri Tigers (5–1) at No. 24 Kentucky Wildcats (5–1) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Missouri 0 17 31838
No. 24 Kentucky 14 0 7021

at Kroger Field • Lexington, Kentucky

  • Date: Saturday, October 14, 2023
  • Game time: 6:30 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: –
  • Game attendance: 61,654
  • Referee: Daniel Gautreaux
  • TV announcers (SECN): Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (analyst), Cole Cubelic (sideline)
  • Pregame line: UK −3.5 Over/Under: 50.5
Game information
First quarter
  • (8:32) UK – Ray Davis 7-yard pass from Devin Leary (Alex Raynor kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 65 yards, 4:46; Kentucky 7-0)
  • (2:09) UK – Devin Leary 13-yard run (Alex Raynor kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 63 yards, 4:58; Kentucky 14-0)
Second quarter
  • (11:38) MIZ – Marquis Johnson 39-yard pass from Luke Bauer (Harrison Mevis kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 64 yards, 3:12; Kentucky 14-7)
  • (4:44) MIZ – Harrison Mevis 25-yard field goal (Drive: 13 plays, 56 yards, 4:55; Kentucky 14-10)
  • (0:15) MIZ – Theo Wease Jr. 18-yard pass from Brady Cook (Harrison Mevis kick) (Drive: 8 plays, 61 yards, 1:25; Missouri 17-14)
Third quarter
  • (11:54) MIZ – Harrison Mevis 31-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 17 yards, 2:53; Missouri 20-14)
  • (3:39) UK – Anthony Brown-Stephens 4-yard pass from Devin Leary (Alex Raynor kick) (Drive: 7 plays, 71 yards, 3:31; Kentucky 21-20)
Fourth quarter
  • (14:14) MIZ – Brady Cook 1-yard run (Cody Schrader run) (Drive: 9 plays, 70 yards, 4:16; Missouri 28-21)
  • (11:07) MIZ – Cody Schrader 19-yard run (Harrison Mevis kick) (Drive: 3 plays, 34 yards, 0:57; Missouri 35-21)
  • (3:17) MIZ – Harrison Mevis 29-yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, 4 yards, 0:58; Missouri 38-21)
Statistics MIZZ UK
First downs 19 19
Total yards 68–324 58–299
Rushing yards 38–118 31–179
Passing yards 206 120
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 20–30–1 14–27–2
Time of possession 31:07 28:53
Team Category Player Statistics
Missouri Passing Brady Cook 19–29, 175 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Cody Schrader 20 carries, 71 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Theo Wease Jr. 6 receptions, 66 yards, 1 TD
Kentucky Passing Devin Leary 14–27, 120 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing Ray Davis 20 carries, 128 yards
Receiving Justice Dingle 2 receptions, 32 yards

No. 21 Tennessee (rivalry)

[edit]
See also: 2023 Tennessee Volunteers football team
Game Eight – No. 21 Tennessee Volunteers (5–2) at Kentucky Wildcats (5–2) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 21 Tennessee 10 13 3733
Kentucky 0 17 7327

at Kroger Field, Lexington, Kentucky

  • Date: Saturday, October 28, 2023
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 61,665
  • Referee: Steve Marlowe
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Monaco (play-by-play), Jesse Palmer (analyst), Katie George (sideline)
Game information
First quarter
  • (10:47) TENN – Jaylen Wright 52-yard run (Charles Campbell kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 70 yards, 1:48; Tennessee 7-0)
  • (5:34) TENN – Charles Campbell 44-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 8 yards, 3:03; Tennessee 10-0)
Second quarter
  • (14:51) UK – Alex Raynor 28-yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 66 yards, 5:43; Tennessee 10-3)
  • (11:13) TENN – Charles Campbell 49-yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 44 yards, 3:38; Tennessee 13-3)
  • (7:38) UK – Barion Brown 11-yard pass from Devin Leary (Alex Raynor kick) (Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:35; Tennessee 13-10)
  • (6:16) TENN – Chas Nimrod 39-yard pass from Joe Milton III (Charles Campbell kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 1:22; Tennessee 20-10)
  • (1:46) UK – Ray Davis 7-yard run (Alex Raynor kick) (Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:30; Tennessee 20-17)
  • (0:05) TENN – Charles Campbell 34-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 59 yards, 1:41; Tennessee 23-17)
Third quarter
  • (6:49) TENN – Charles Campbell 35-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 49 yards, 3:38; Tennessee 26-17)
  • (2:39) UK – Dane Key 7-yard pass from Devin Leary (Alex Raynor kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 4:10; Tennessee 26-24)
Fourth quarter
  • (7:30) TENN – Dylan Sampson 12-yard run (Charles Campbell kick) (Drive: 12 plays, 65 yards, 3:27; Tennessee 33-24)
  • (4:24) UK – Alex Raynor 28-yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 65 yards, 3:06; Tennessee 33-27)
Statistics TENN UK
First downs 24 24
Total yards 67–481 63–444
Rushing yards 47–254 24–72
Passing yards 227 372
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 17–20–0 28–39–0
Time of possession 26:56 33:04
Team Category Player Statistics
Tennessee Passing Joe Milton III 17/20, 227 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Jaylen Wright 11 carries, 120 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Dont'e Thornton Jr. 3 receptions, 63 yards
Kentucky Passing Devin Leary 28/39, 372 yards, 2 TD
Rushing Ray Davis 16 carries, 42 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Dane Key 7 receptions, 113 yards, 1 TD

at Mississippi State

[edit]
See also: 2023 Mississippi State Bulldogs football team
Game Nine – Kentucky Wildcats (5–3) at Mississippi State Bulldogs (4–4) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Kentucky 7 14 3024
Mississippi State 0 3 003

at Davis Wade Stadium • Starkville, MS

  • Date: Saturday, November 4, 2023
  • Game time: 7:30 PM EST
  • Game weather: –
  • Game attendance: 52,329
  • Referee: Scott Walker
  • TV announcers (SECN): Tom Hart (play-by-play), Cole Cubelic (color), Alyssa Lang (sideline)
Game information
First quarter
  • (10:11) UK – Demie Sumo–Karngbaye 4-yard pass from Devin Leary (Alex Raynor kick) (Drive: 8 plays, 62 yards, 4:00; Kentucky 7-0)
Second quarter
  • (8:51) MSST – Kyle Ferrie 25-yard field goal (Drive: 20 plays, 88 yards, 12:29; Kentucky 7-3)
  • (6:35) UK – D'Eryk Jackson 28-yard interception return (Alex Raynor kick) (Kentucky 14-3)
  • (0:52) UK – Dane Key 4-yard pass from Devin Leary (Alex Raynor kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 63 yards, 3:54; Kentucky 21-3)
Third quarter
  • (5:51) UK – Alex Raynor 32-yard field goal (Drive: 12 plays, 72 yards, 5:49; Kentucky 24-3)
Fourth quarter
  • – no scoring
Statistics UK MSST
First downs 13 15
Total yards 54–271 66–218
Rushing yards 29–110 31–73
Passing yards 161 145
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 15–25–0 17–35–1
Time of possession 30:38 29:22
Team Category Player Statistics
Kentucky Passing Devin Leary 13/22, 156 yards, 2 TD
Rushing Ray Davis 21 carries, 80 yards
Receiving Tayvion Robinson 5 receptions, 91 yards
Mississippi State Passing Mike Wright 11/21, 78 yards, INT
Rushing Seth Davis 4 carries, 24 yards
Receiving Zavion Thomas 6 receptions, 44 yards

No. 8 Alabama

[edit]
See also: 2023 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
Game Ten – No. 8 Alabama Crimson Tide (8-1) at Kentucky Wildcats (6–3) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 8 Alabama 21 7 71449
Kentucky 7 0 7721

at Kroger Field, Lexington, Kentucky

  • Date: Saturday, November 11, 2023
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 49, Sunny, Wind NE @ 7 mph
  • Game attendance: 61,936
  • Referee: Ken Williamson
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Joe Tessitore (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (color), and Katie George (sideline)
Game information
First quarter
  • (9:38) ALA – Amari Niblack 26-yard pass from Jalen Milroe (Will Reichard kick) (Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 5:13; Alabama 7-0)
  • (5:32) ALA – Kobe Prentice 40-yard pass from Jalen Milroe (Will Reichard kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 55 yards, 1:51; Alabama 14-0)
  • (5:12) ALA – Jalen Milroe 1-yard run (Will Reichard kick) (Drive: 1 play, 1 yard, 0:14; Alabama 21-0)
  • (1:30) UK – Tayvion Robinson 6-yard pass from Devin Leary (Alex Raynor kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 32 yards, 2:43; Alabama 21-7)
Second quarter
  • (10:14) ALA – Roydell Williams 26-yard pass from Jalen Milroe (Will Reichard kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 62 yards, 2:34; Alabama 28-7)
Third quarter
  • (10:53) UK – Ray Davis 2-yard run (Alex Raynor kick) (Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:07; Alabama 28-14)
  • (9:36) ALA – Jalen Milroe 3-yard run (Will Reichard kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 65 yards, 1:10; Alabama 35-14)
Fourth quarter
  • (14:48) ALA – Jalen Milroe 1-yard run (Will Reichard kick) (Drive: 8 plays, 38 yards, 2:54; Alabama 42-14)
  • (9:46) ALA – Jam Miller 3-yard run (Will Reichard kick) (Drive: 7 plays, 66 yards, 3:21; Alabama 49-14)
  • (7:46) UK – Ray Davis 1-yard run (Alex Raynor kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 2:00; Alabama 49-21)
Statistics ALA UK
First downs 23 11
Total yards 64–444 55–253
Rushing yards 39–159 24–95
Passing yards 285 158
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 16–25–1 17–31–1
Time of possession 32:06 27:54
Team Category Player Statistics
Alabama Passing Jalen Milroe 15/22, 234 yards, 3 TD, INT
Rushing Jase McClellan 9 carries, 43 yards
Receiving Kobe Prentice 4 receptions, 74 yards, TD
Kentucky Passing Devin Leary 17/31, 158 yards, TD, INT
Rushing Ramon Jefferson 2 carries, 73 yards
Receiving Dane Key 4 receptions, 46 yards

at South Carolina

[edit]
See also: 2023 South Carolina Gamecocks football team
Game Eleven – Kentucky Wildcats (6-4) at South Carolina Gamecocks (4-6) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Kentucky 0 7 7014
South Carolina 10 0 0717

at Williams-Brice Stadium • Columbia, South Carolina

  • Date: Saturday, November 18, 2023
  • Game time: 7:30 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: –
  • Game attendance: 77,788
  • Referee: –
  • TV announcers (SECN): Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (color), Cole Cubelic (sideline)
Game information
First quarter
  • (7:27) SC – Xavier Legette 13-yard pass from Spencer Rattler, Mitch Jeter kick (Drive: 11 plays, 69 yards, 5:11; South Carolina 7–0)
  • (0:13) SC – Mitch Jeter 23-yard field goal (Drive: 12 plays, 51 yards, 6:32; South Carolina 10–0)
Second quarter
  • (10:52) UK – Barion Brown 7-yard pass from Devin Leary, Alex Raynor kick (Drive: 7 plays, 55 yards, 3:51; South Carolina 10–7)
Third quarter
  • (8:42) UK – Ray Davis 31-yard run, Alex Raynor kick (Drive: 9 plays, 92 yards, 5:20; Kentucky 14–10)
Fourth quarter
  • (7:44) SC – Xavier Legette 17-yard pass from Spencer Rattler, Mitch Jeter kick (Drive: 9 plays, 74 yards, 5:32; South Carolina 17–14)
Statistics UK SC
First downs 17 17
Total yards 293 257
Rushing yards 122 50
Passing yards 171 207
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 17–34–1 19–27–0
Time of possession 28:21 31:39
Team Category Player Statistics
Kentucky Passing Devin Leary 17/34, 171 yards, TD, INT
Rushing Ray Davis 12 carries, 61 yards, TD
Receiving Dane Key 4 receptions, 51 yards
South Carolina Passing Spencer Rattler 19/27, 207 yards, 2 TD
Rushing Mario Anderson 13 carries, 27 yards
Receiving Xavier Legette 6 receptions, 94 yards, 2 TD

at No. 10 Louisville (rivalry)

[edit]
See also: 2023 Louisville Cardinals football team
Game Twelve – Kentucky Wildcats (6–5) at No. 10 Louisville Cardinals (10–1) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Kentucky 0 7 141738
No. 10 Louisville 7 3 14731

at L&N Stadium • Louisville, Kentucky

  • Date: Saturday, November 25, 2023
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 59,225
  • Referee: Lee Hendrick
  • TV announcers (ABC): Joe Tessitore (play-by-play), Jesse Palmer (color), Katie George (sideline)
Game information
First quarter
  • (3:40) LOU – Jawhar Jordan 1-yard run (Nick Lopez kick) (Drive: 14 plays, 70 yards, 8:19; Louisville 7-0)
Second quarter
  • (8:07) UK – Dane Key 9-yard pass from Devin Leary (Alex Raynor kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 52 yards, 5:19; Tied 7-7)
  • (4:25) LOU – Brock Travelstead 46-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 31 yards, 3:33; Louisville 10-7)
Third quarter
  • (5:50) LOU – Jawhar Jordan 1-yard run (Nick Lopez kick) (Drive: 15 plays, 75 yards, 9:10; Louisville 17-7)
  • (5:38) UK – Barion Brown 100-yard kickoff return (Alex Raynor kick) (Drive: 0 plays, 100 yards, 0:12; Louisville 17-14)
  • (2:48) LOU – Joey Gatewood 11-yard pass from Jack Plummer (Nick Lopez kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 51 yards, 2:41; Louisville 24-14)
  • (1:49) UK – Ray Davis 20-yard pass from Devin Leary (Alex Raynor kick) (Drive: 2 plays, 75 yards, 0:59; Louisville 24-21)
Fourth quarter
  • (10:21) UK – Alex Raynor 46-yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 20 yards, 4:45; Tied 24-24)
  • (8:37) UK – Ray Davis 20-yard pass from Devin Leary (Alex Raynor kick) (Drive: 2 plays, 22 yards, 0:46; Kentucky 31-24)
  • (2:33) LOU – Ahmari Huggins-Bruce 21-yard pass from Jack Plummer (Nick Lopez kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 25 yards, 2:01; Tied 31-31)
  • (1:02) UK – Ray Davis 37-yard run (Alex Raynor kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:31; Kentucky 38-31)
Statistics UK LOU
First downs 16 23
Total yards 47–289 76–403
Rushing yards 25–83 43–161
Passing yards 206 242
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 12–22–1 24–33–1
Time of possession 23:26 36:34
Team Category Player Statistics
Kentucky Passing Devin Leary 12/22, 206 yards, 3 TD, INT
Rushing Ray Davis 14 carries, 76 yards, TD
Receiving Izayah Cummings 1 reception, 55 yards
Louisville Passing Jack Plummer 24/33, 242 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing Jawhar Jordan 17 carries, 67 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Jamari Thrash 6 receptions, 60 yards

vs. No. 22 Clemson (Gator Bowl)

[edit]
See also: 2023 Clemson Tigers football team
No. 22 Clemson Tigers (8-4) vs. Kentucky Wildcats (7-5) (2023 TaxSlayer Gator Bowl)
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 22 Clemson 3 7 02838
Kentucky 7 7 71435

at EverBank Stadium • Jacksonville, Florida

  • Date: Friday, December 29, 2023
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 51 °F (11 °C) • Wind: 10 mph (16 km/h) W
  • Game attendance: 40,132
  • Referee: John Love
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Wes Durham (play-by-play), Tim Hasselbeck (color), Taylor Tannebaum (sideline)
  • Box score
Game information
First quarter
  • (11:16) CLEM – Johnathan Weitz 39-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 39 yards, 3:37; Clemson 3–0)
  • (5:00) UK – Barion Brown 22-yard run (Alex Raynor kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 73 yards, 2:14; Kentucky 7–3)

Second quarter

  • (10:17) CLEM – Phil Mafah 1-yard run (Jonathan Weitz kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 59 yards, 3:02; Clemson 10–7)
  • (7:44) UK – Dane Key 5-yard pass from Devin Leary (Alex Raynor kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 2:33; Kentucky 14–10)

Third quarter

  • (14:47) UK – Barion Brown 100-yard kickoff return (Alex Raynor kick) (Drive: 0 plays, 100 yards, 0:13; Kentucky 21–10)

Fourth quarter

  • (14:56) CLEM – Phil Mafah 1-yard run (pass failed) (Drive: 14 plays, 70 yards, 6:35; Kentucky 21–16)
  • (7:00) CLEM – Jonathan Weitz 28-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 26 yards, 3:08; Kentucky 21–19)
  • (6:45) CLEM – Phil Mafah 1-yard run (Cade Klubnik pass to Tyler Brown) (Drive: 1 plays, 29 yards, 0:07; Clemson 27–21)
  • (6:12) UK – Barion Brown 60-yard pass from Devin Leary (Alex Raynor kick) (Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 0:33; Kentucky 28–27)
  • (4:20) CLEM – Jonathan Weitz 52-yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, 2 yards, 1:42; Clemson 30–28)
  • (2:39) UK – Ray Davis 1-yard run (Alex Raynor kick) (Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 1:41; Kentucky 35–30)
  • (0:17) CLEM – Phil Mafah 3-yard run (Cade Klubnik pass to Josh Sapp) (Drive: 12 plays, 68 yards, 2:17; Clemson 38–35)
Statistics CLEM UK
First downs 24 12
Total yards 80–367 51–398
Rushing yards 39–103 23–92
Passing yards 264 306
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 30–41–1 16–28–2
Time of possession 34:58 25:02
Team Category Player Statistics
Clemson Passing Cade Klubnik 30/41, 264 yards, INT
Rushing Phil Mafah 11 carries, 71 yards, 4 TD
Receiving Jake Briningstool 9 receptions, 91 yards
Kentucky Passing Devin Leary 16/28, 306 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing Ray Davis 13 carries, 63 yards, TD
Receiving Barion Brown 3 receptions, 100 yards, TD

Rankings

[edit]
Further information: 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
APRVRVRVRVRV2024RVRV————RVRVRV
CoachesRVRVRVRVRV2023RVRVRVRV—————
CFPNot released——————Not released

References

[edit]
  1. ^ https://www.d1ticker.com/2023-fbs-attendance-trends/
  2. ^ Bender, Bill (September 20, 2024). "How many teams are in the SEC now? Explaining the new-look conference for 2024 college football season". Sporting News. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  3. ^ "Kentucky Wildcats Schedule 2023". ESPN. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  4. ^ "2023 Kentucky Wildcats Schedule and Results". College Football @ Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  5. ^ "2023 Football Schedule". University of Kentucky. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  6. ^ Kentucky pregame
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