2022 Kentucky Wildcats football team
American college football season
The 2022 Kentucky Wildcats football team represented the University of Kentucky in the 2022 NCAA Division I FBS football season . The Wildcats played their home games at Kroger Field in Lexington, Kentucky , and competed in the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). They were led by tenth-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]
Schedule
Kentucky and the SEC announced the 2022 football schedule on September 21, 2021.[ 2] [ 3]
Date Time Opponent Rank Site TV Result Attendance September 3 7:00 p.m. Miami (OH) * No. 20 SECN+ /ESPN+ W 37–1361,139
September 10 7:00 p.m. at No. 12 Florida No. 20 ESPN W 26–1689,993
September 17 12:00 p.m. Youngstown State * No. 9 Kroger Field Lexington, KY SECN W 31–059,308
September 24 7:00 p.m. Northern Illinois * No. 8 Kroger Field Lexington, KY ESPN2 W 31–2361,579
October 1 12:00 p.m. at No. 14 Ole Miss No. 7 ESPN L 19–2264,828
October 8 7:30 p.m. South Carolina No. 13 Kroger Field Lexington, KY SECN L 14–2461,612
October 15 7:30 p.m. No. 16 Mississippi State No. 22 Kroger Field Lexington, KY SECN W 27–1761,451
October 29 7:00 p.m. at No. 3 Tennessee No. 19 ESPN L 6–44101,915
November 5 12:00 p.m. at Missouri SECN W 21–1761,047
November 12 12:00 p.m. Vanderbilt No. 24 Kroger Field Lexington, KY (rivalry ) SECN L 21–2457,474
November 19 3:30 p.m. No. 1 Georgia Kroger Field Lexington, KY CBS L 6–1661,022
November 26 3:00 p.m. No. 25 Louisville * SECN W 26–1358,727
December 31 12:00 p.m. vs. Iowa * ABC L 0–2142,312
Coaching staff
Game summaries
Miami (OH)
Uniform Combination
Helmet
Jersey
Pants
1
2 3 4 Total
Miami (OH)
7
3 3 0
13
• No. 20 Kentucky
7
6 17 7
37
Date: September 3Location: Lexington, KY Game start: 7:02 p.m. Game attendance: 61,139Game weather: 76°F, Cloudy, Wind E @ 7 mphReferee: Ken WilliamsonTV announcers (ESPN+/SECN+ ): Mike Morgan (play-by-play), Tom Ramsey (color), Coley Harvey (sideline)
Statistics
Miami (OH)
Kentucky
First downs
17
20
Total yards
290
353
Rushing yards
111
50
Passing yards
179
303
Turnovers
1
1
Time of possession
31:53
28:07
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Miami (OH)
Passing
Brett Gabbert
20/28, 166 yards
Rushing
Tyre Shelton
7 carries, 50 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Mac Hippenhammer
7 receptions, 85 yards
Kentucky
Passing
Will Levis
21/32, 303 yards, 3 TD’s, 1 INT
Rushing
Kavosiey Smoke
7 carries, 32 yards
Receiving
Tayvion Robinson
6 receptions, 136 yards
At No. 12 Florida
Uniform Combination
Helmet
Jersey
Pants
1
2 3 4 Total
• No. 20 Kentucky
0
13 10 3
26
No. 12 Florida
3
13 0 0
16
Statistics
Kentucky
Florida
First downs
17
12
Total yards
272
279
Rushing yards
70
136
Passing yards
202
143
Turnovers
1
2
Time of possession
33:24
26:36
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Kentucky
Passing
Will Levis
13/24, 202 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
Kavosiey Smoke
14 carries, 80 yards
Receiving
Dane Key
3 receptions, 83 yards, 1 TD
Florida
Passing
Anthony Richardson
14/35, 143 yards, 2 INT’s
Rushing
Montrell Johnson Jr.
7 carries, 62 yards
Receiving
Xzavier Henderson
6 receptions, 50 yards
Youngstown State
Uniform Combination
Helmet
Jersey
Pants
1
2 3 4 Total
Youngstown St
0
0 0 0
0
• No. 9 Kentucky
0
21 7 3
31
Date: September 17Location: Lexington, KYGame start: 12:03 p.m. Game attendance: 59,308Game weather: 80°F, Sunny, Wind SE @ 6 mphReferee: Scott WalkerTV announcers (SEC Network): Dave Neal (play-by-play), Deuce McAllister (color), Andraya Carter (sideline)
Statistics
Youngstown St
Kentucky
First downs
9
26
Total yards
192
480
Rushing yards
58
103
Passing yards
134
377
Turnovers
1
3
Time of possession
21:50
38:10
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Youngstown St
Passing
Demeatric Crenshaw
7/21, 120 yards, 1 INT
Rushing
Jaleel McLaughlin
10 carries, 36 yards
Receiving
Jaleel McLaughlin
3 receptions, 60 yards
Kentucky
Passing
Will Levis
27/35, 377 yards, 2 TD’s, 2 INT’s
Rushing
Kavosiey Smoke
18 carries, 66 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Dane Key
6 receptions, 90 yards, 1 TD
Northern Illinois
1
2 3 4 Total
NIU
7
7 0 9
23
• No. 8 Kentucky
7
7 10 7
31
Date: September 24Location: Lexington, KYGame start: 7:05 p.m. Game attendance: 61,579Game weather: 71°F, Sunny, Wind SW @ 6 mphReferee: Steve MarloweTV announcers (ESPN2): Anish Shroff (play-by-play), Brock Osweiler (color), Alex Chappell (sideline)
Statistics
NIU
Kentucky
First downs
14
18
Total yards
327
406
Rushing yards
128
103
Passing yards
199
303
Turnovers
0
1
Time of possession
26:17
33:43
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
NIU
Passing
Ethan Hampton
13/25, 196 yards, 1 TD
Rushing
Harrison Waylee
18 carries, 63 yards
Receiving
Kacper Rutkiewicz
1 reception, 63 yards
Kentucky
Passing
Will Levis
18/26, 303 yards, 4 TD’s
Rushing
Kavosiey Smoke
12 carries, 85 yards
Receiving
Tayvion Robinson
7 receptions, 147 yards, 2 TD’s
At No. 14 Ole Miss
1
2 3 4 Total
No. 7 Kentucky
6
6 7 0
19
• No. 14 Ole Miss
14
5 3 0
22
Statistics
Kentucky
Ole Miss
First downs
17
19
Total yards
328
399
Rushing yards
108
186
Passing yards
220
213
Turnovers
2
1
Time of possession
36:53
23:07
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Kentucky
Passing
Will Levis
18/24, 220 yards, 2 TD’s
Rushing
Chris Rodriguez Jr.
19 carries, 72 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Barion Brown
2 receptions, 81 yards
Ole Miss
Passing
Jaxson Dart
15/29, 213 yards, 1 INT
Rushing
Quinshon Judkins
14 carries, 106 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Malik Heath
6 receptions, 100 yards
South Carolina
1
2 3 4 Total
• South Carolina
7
0 10 7
24
No. 13 Kentucky
0
7 0 7
14
Date: October 8Location: Lexington, KYGame start: 7:39 p.m. Game attendance: 61,612Game weather: 50°F, Clear, Wind N @ 4 mphReferee: Scott WalkerTV announcers (SECN): Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (color), Cole Cubelic (sideline)
Statistics
South Carolina
Kentucky
First downs
15
18
Total yards
356
299
Rushing yards
179
121
Passing yards
177
178
Turnovers
2
2
Time of possession
28:55
31:05
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
South Carolina
Passing
Spencer Rattler
14/19, 177 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
MarShawn Lloyd
22 carries, 110 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Antwane Wells Jr.
3 receptions, 66 yards, 1 TD
Kentucky
Passing
Kaiya Sheron
15/27, 178 yards, 2 TD’s, 1 INT
Rushing
Chris Rodriguez Jr.
22 carries, 126 yards
Receiving
Chauncey Magwood
2 receptions, 37 yards
No. 16 Mississippi State
1
2 3 4 Total
No. 16 Miss State
0
3 7 7
17
• No. 22т Kentucky
0
3 10 14
27
Date: October 15Location: Lexington, KYGame start: 7:39 p.m. Game attendance: 61,451Game weather: 63°F, Clear, Wind W @ 5 mphReferee: Lee HedrickTV announcers (SECN): Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (color), Cole Cubelic (sideline)
Statistics
Miss State
Kentucky
First downs
13
24
Total yards
225
478
Rushing yards
22
239
Passing yards
203
239
Turnovers
1
2
Time of possession
20:38
39:22
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Miss State
Passing
Will Rogers
25/37, 203 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
Dillon Johnson
2 carries, 16 yards
Receiving
Jo'Quavious Marks
7 receptions, 60 yards
Kentucky
Passing
Will Levis
17/23, 230 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
Chris Rodriguez Jr.
30 carries, 196 yards, 2 TD’s
Receiving
Barion Brown
7 receptions, 62 yards
At No. 3 Tennessee
1
2 3 4 Total
No. 19 Kentucky
6
0 0 0
6
• No. 3 Tennessee
7
20 10 7
44
Statistics
Kentucky
Tennessee
First downs
14
19
Total yards
205
422
Rushing yards
107
177
Passing yards
98
245
Turnovers
3
0
Time of possession
35:11
24:49
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Kentucky
Passing
Will Levis
16/27, 98 yards, 3 INT’s
Rushing
Chris Rodriguez Jr.
15 carries, 64 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Jordan Dingle
4 receptions, 44 yards
Tennessee
Passing
Hendon Hooker
19/25, 245 yards, 3 TD’s
Rushing
Jabari Small
21 carries, 78 yards
Receiving
Jalin Hyatt
5 receptions, 138 yards, 2 TD’s
At Missouri
1
2 3 4 Total
• Kentucky
7
0 7 7
21
Missouri
3
0 0 14
17
Date: November 5Location: Columbia, MO Game start: 11:03 a.m. Game attendance: 61,047Game weather: 45°F, Cloudy, Wind NE @ 19 mphReferee: Steve MarloweTV announcers (SEC Network): Jay Alter (play-by-play), Dustin Fox (color), Lauren Sisler (sideline)
Statistics
Kentucky
Missouri
First downs
15
12
Total yards
252
232
Rushing yards
82
89
Passing yards
170
143
Turnovers
0
2
Time of possession
31:05
28:55
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Kentucky
Passing
Will Levis
13/19, 170 yards, 3 TD’s
Rushing
Chris Rodriguez Jr.
29 carries, 112 yards
Receiving
Barion Brown
4 receptions, 54 yards
Missouri
Passing
Brady Cook
18/26, 143 yards
Rushing
Cody Schrader
21 carries, 65 yards
Receiving
Luther Burden III
6 receptions, 60 yards
Vanderbilt
1
2 3 4 Total
• Vanderbilt
7
0 7 10
24
No. 24 Kentucky
6
0 3 12
21
Date: November 12Location: Lexington, KYGame start: 12:03 p.m. Game attendance: 57,474Game weather: 34°F, Cloudy, Wind NW @ 8 mphReferee: Jason AutreyTV announcers (SEC Network): Dave Neal (play-by-play), Deuce McAlister (color), Morgan Uber (sideline)
Statistics
Vanderbilt
Kentucky
First downs
18
16
Total yards
448
322
Rushing yards
264
213
Passing yards
184
109
Turnovers
2
1
Time of possession
33:15
26:45
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Vanderbilt
Passing
Mike Wright
12/23, 184 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
Ray Davis
26 carries, 129 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Will Sheppard
5 receptions, 88 yards, 1 TD
Kentucky
Passing
Will Levis
11/23, 109 yards, 1 INT
Rushing
Chris Rodriguez Jr.
18 carries, 162 yards, 2 TD’s
Receiving
Tayvion Robinson
5 receptions, 49 yards
No. 1 Georgia
1
2 3 4 Total
• No. 1 Georgia
3
6 7 0
16
Kentucky
0
0 0 6
6
Date: November 19Location: Lexington, KYGame start: 3:39 p.m. Game attendance: 61,022Game weather: 36°F, Sunny, Wind SW @ 13 mphReferee: James CarterTV announcers (CBS): Brad Nessler (play-by-play), Gary Danielson (color), Jenny Dell (sideline)
Statistics
Georgia
Kentucky
First downs
20
17
Total yards
363
295
Rushing yards
247
89
Passing yards
116
206
Turnovers
1
1
Time of possession
30:02
29:58
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Georgia
Passing
Stetson Bennett
13/19, 116 yards, 1 INT
Rushing
Kenny McIntosh
19 carries, 143 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Dominick Blaylock
2 receptions, 38 yards
Kentucky
Passing
Will Levis
20/31, 206 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
Chris Rodriguez Jr.
17 carries, 51 yards
Receiving
Barion Brown
10 receptions, 145 yards, 1 TD
No. 25 Louisville
Governor’s Cup
1
2 3 4 Total
No. 25 Louisville
0
7 0 6
13
• Kentucky
7
6 10 3
26
Date: November 26Location: Lexington, KYGame start: 3:01 p.m. Game attendance: 58,727Game weather: 56°F, Cloudy, Wind SE @ 6 mphReferee: Jeff FlanaganTV announcers (SEC Network): Dave Neal (play-by-play), Deuce McAllister (color), Andraya Carter (sideline)
Statistics
Louisville
Kentucky
First downs
19
17
Total yards
309
346
Rushing yards
164
158
Passing yards
145
188
Turnovers
3
0
Time of possession
27:15
32:45
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Louisville
Passing
Brock Domann
14/21, 129 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
Jawhar Jordan
22 carries, 145 yards
Receiving
Tyler Hudson
6 receptions, 83 yards, 1 TD
Kentucky
Passing
Will Levis
11/19, 188 yards, 2 TD’s
Rushing
Chris Rodriguez Jr.
24 carries, 120 yards
Receiving
Josh Kattus
2 receptions, 76 yards
Vs. Iowa
Music City Bowl
1
2 3 4 Total
• Iowa
0
21 0 0
21
Kentucky
0
0 0 0
0
Date: December 31Location: Nashville, TN Game start: 11:10 a.m. Game attendance: 42,312Game weather: 59°F, Cloudy, Wind SW @ 7 mphReferee: Mark DuddyTV announcers (ABC ): Matt Barrie (play-by-play), Louis Riddick (color), Harry Lyles Jr. (sideline)
Statistics
Iowa
Kentucky
First downs
10
10
Total yards
206
185
Rushing yards
67
68
Passing yards
139
117
Turnovers
0
2
Time of possession
25:43
34:17
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Iowa
Passing
Joe Labas
14/24, 139 yards, 1 TD
Rushing
Jaziun Patterson
4 carries, 23 yards
Receiving
Sam LaPorta
5 receptions, 56 yards
Kentucky
Passing
Destin Wade
16/30, 98 yards, 2 INT’s
Rushing
JuTahn McClain
10 carries, 40 yards
Receiving
Dane Key
6 receptions, 47 yards
Rankings
Ranking movementsLegend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking — = Not ranked RV = Received votes т = Tied with team above or below Week Poll Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Final AP 20 20 9 8 7 13 22T 19 19 RV RV — — — — — Coaches 21 20 10 9 8 13 22 18 17 24 24 RV — — — — CFP Not released — 24 — — — — Not released
References
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