Rise of the Bluegrass Empire: A Kentucky Wildcats Dynasty

[jasontoddwhitt]

Will Levis leaves defenders in the dust on the way to a 25-yard TD run.

#15 KENTUCKY TAME NORTHERN ILLINOIS, SECURING A 34-20 VICTORY

In an exciting clash, the #15 Kentucky Wildcats showcased their prowess by securing a solid 34-20 victory against the Northern Illinois Huskies. The Wildcats' offense displayed great balance, with a dominant rushing game amassing 219 yards and a resilient defense that held their ground. Quarterback Will Levis showcased his versatility with 156 passing yards and two crucial rushing touchdowns.

However, the Wildcats faced a setback early in the game as star running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. left the game in the first quarter with an apparent back injury and did not return. Despite this adversity, the Wildcats rallied and demonstrated their depth and resilience on the field.


[L] Chris Rodriguez leaves a trail of destruction on this 36-yard scamper before the injury. [R] Jutahn McClain punches it in from one yard out.

Kentucky set the tone early with Levis finding the end zone on a 25-yard run, swiftly answered by a field goal from Northern Illinois' John Richardson. Kentucky surged ahead with Jutahn McClain's one-yard touchdown run, setting the pace for a commanding first half. Northern Illinois battled, managing two field goals, but the Wildcats maintained their lead.

In the third quarter, the Huskies fought back with a touchdown from Brock Lampe, but Kentucky responded swiftly with a touchdown by Kavosiey Smoke. The final quarter saw Kentucky's defense stand firm, allowing only a late touchdown to the Huskies.


[L] Deone Walker cleans up to record his second sack of the season. [R] Deandre Square disrupts the pass by shoving the protection straight into QB Ethan Hampton.

Key defensive contributions from Deandre Square and Tyrell Ajian proved vital, while the kicking accuracy of Matt Ruffolo secured critical points for the Wildcats. The Wildcats' special teams made their presence felt, with strong performances in kick and punt returns, contributing to the team's overall victory.

With this win, the Kentucky Wildcats maintain their undefeated record and continue their journey through the season with determination and vigor. The Wildcats will look to build on this victory as they prepare for their next challenge. Their mettle will be tested on the road against #16 Ole Miss, who recently dominated Tulsa with a 42-7 victory. The status of Chris Rodriguez Jr. will be closely monitored as the team prepares for this crucial matchup.

Northern Illinois Huskies at Kentucky Wildcats
Sep 24, 2022	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Northern Illinois Huskies (3-1)	3	3	7	7	20
#15 Kentucky Wildcats (4-0)	14	10	7	3	34

Team Stats Comparison
	NIU	UK
Total Offense	362	375
Rushing Yards	34	219
Passing Yards	328	156
First Downs	19	19
Punt Return Yards	9	24
Kick Return Yards	98	109
Total Yards	469	508
Turnovers	0	2
3rd Down Conversion	7-16 (43%)	5-8 (62%)
4th Down Conversion	2-3 (66%)	1-1 (100%)
2-Point Conversion	0-0	0-0
Red Zone Trips/Touchdowns/Field Goals	5-2-2 (80%)	4-3-1 (100%)
Penalties	12-105	4-40
Possession Time	15:12	16:48

Scoring Summary
FIRST QUARTER SCORING		NIU	UK
6:38	(UK) TD: W. Levis, 25 Yd run (M. Ruffolo kick)	0	7
4:31	(NIU) FG: J. Richardson, 34 Yd FG	3	7
1:12	(UK) TD: J. McClain, 1 Yd run (M. Ruffolo kick)	3	14
SECOND QUARTER SCORING		NIU	UK
3:40	(UK) TD: W. Levis, 1 Yd run (M. Ruffolo kick)	3	21
0:17	(NIU) FG: J. Richardson, 28 Yd FG	6	21
0:00	(UK) FG: M. Ruffolo, 27 Yd FG	6	24
THIRD QUARTER SCORING		NIU	UK
2:54	(NIU) TD: B. Lampe, 2 Yd run (J. Richardson kick)	13	24
0:15	(UK) TD: K. Smoke, 3 Yd run (M. Ruffolo kick)	13	31
FOURTH QUARTER SCORING		NIU	UK
3:15	(UK) FG: M. Ruffolo, 44 Yd FG	13	34
1:49	(NIU) TD: M. Joiner, 4 Yd pass from E. Hampton (J. Richardson kick)	20	34

Northern Illinois Huskies PASSING C/A YDS TD INT Ethan Hampton 30/51 328 1 0 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD Harrison Waylee 8 23 2.8 0 Ethan Hampton 7 6 0.8 0 Brock Lampe 2 3 1.5 1 Antario Brown 1 2 2.0 0 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD Miles Joiner 10 74 7.4 1 Cole Tucker 6 127 21.1 0 Shemar Thornton 4 34 8.5 0 Kacper Rutkiewicz 3 47 15.6 0 Antario Brown 2 21 10.5 0 Harrison Waylee 2 15 7.5 0 Liam Soraghan 1 4 4.0 0 Brock Lampe 1 2 2.0 0 Fabian McCray 1 4 4.0 0 BLOCKING PANCAKE SACK Nolan Potter 0 1 Logan Zschernitz 0 1 DEFENSE TACK SACK INT TD Kyle Pugh 8 1 0 0 Jordan Hansen 7 0 0 0 Daveren Rayner 7 1 1 0 Devin Lafayette 6 0 0 0 Demond Taylor Jr. 5 0 0 0 Muhammed Jammeh 5 0 0 0 Cyrus McGarrell 4 0 0 0 Izayah Green May 3 0 0 0 Jordan White 2 0 0 0 Jordan Gandy 2 0 0 0 Liam Soraghan 1 0 0 0 Messiah Travis 1 0 0 0 Eric Rogers 1 0 0 0 Michael Kennedy 1 0 0 0 James Ester 1 0 0 0 KICKING FG XP PTS LONG John Richardson 2/3 2/2 8 34 PUNTING NO YDS AVG IN20 Tom Foley 3 121 40.3 0 KICK RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Mason Blakemore 4 81 20.2 0 Trayvon Rudolph 1 17 17.0 0 PUNT RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Cole Tucker 1 9 9.0 0

Kentucky Wildcats PASSING C/A YDS TD INT Will Levis 12/16 156 0 1 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD Jutahn McClain 18 140 7.7 1 Will Levis 8 12 1.5 2 Kavosiey Smoke 8 14 1.7 1 Chris Rodriguez Jr. 5 53 10.6 0 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD Tayvion Robinson 5 92 18.4 0 Dane Key 5 50 10.0 0 Brenden Bates 1 17 17.0 0 Jutahn McClain 1 -3 -3.0 0 DEFENSE TACK SACK INT TD Deandre Square 8 0 0 0 Tyrell Ajian 8 0 0 0 Jacquez Jones 6 0 0 0 J.J. Weaver 5 0 0 0 Carrington Valentine 5 0 0 0 Deone Walker 3 1 0 0 Keidron Smith 2 0 0 0 Zion Childress 2 0 0 0 Jordan Lovett 2 0 0 0 Jordan Wright 2 0 0 0 Taj Dodson 2 0 0 0 Maxwell Hairston 2 0 0 0 Jordan Dingle 1 0 0 0 Andru Phillips 1 0 0 0 Justin Rogers 1 1 0 0 KICKING FG XP PTS LONG Matt Ruffolo 2/2 4/4 10 44 PUNTING NO YDS AVG IN20 Colin Goodfellow 1 45 45.0 0 KICK RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Jutahn McClain 2 51 25.5 0 Barion Brown 2 57 28.5 0 Chauncy Magwood 1 1 1.0 0 PUNT RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Tayvion Robinson 3 24 8.0 0

McClain ran out of gas in the fourth quarter on this 62-yard run.

[jasontoddwhitt]

Around the Nation -- Week 5 Edition

Vanderbilt Shocks #1 Alabama with Late Rally, Seals 35-31 Upset

In a stunning upset, the Vanderbilt Commodores (2-3, 1-0 SEC) orchestrated a remarkable come-from-behind victory on the road, edging past the top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide (3-1, 0-1 SEC) with a final score of 35-31. Despite being outgained by Alabama in total offensive yards, the Commodores displayed resilience and poise in crucial moments. Vanderbilt quarterback AJ Swann showcased his clutch performance, connecting on touchdown passes of 42 and 26 yards in the closing minutes to secure the sensational win. The hero of the game, running back Patrick Smith, made a significant impact with crucial touchdowns, including the game-winning reception. Alabama's star quarterback Bryce Young had a notable performance with 311 passing yards and two touchdowns, but it wasn't enough to stave off the determined Commodores. This shocking upset will surely be a topic of conversation in the college football world for days to come.

In a Hard-Fought Battle, #4 Clemson Edges #17 Wake Forest 38-31

In a thrilling matchup, #4 Clemson showcased their prowess by securing a hard-fought victory on the road against #17 Wake Forest, triumphing 38-31. The Tigers displayed offensive prowess, amassing 383 yards of total offense, with quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei (171 yards passing and two touchdowns) orchestrating the plays. Wide receiver Antonio Williams shone as the key player for Clemson, contributing significantly with four catches for 131 yards and two touchdowns. On the opposing side, Wake Forest's quarterback Sam Hartman exhibited resilience, throwing for 268 yards and two touchdowns for the Demon Deacons. Despite a valiant effort, Clemson's defense came up big late in a high-scoring contest.

Kansas State Stuns #7 Oklahoma with Dominant 35-18 Upset Victory

In a stunning upset, Kansas State made a significant statement by defeating the heavily favored #7 Oklahoma Sooners with a score of 35-18 on the road. The Wildcats exhibited offensive dominance, amassing an impressive 476 yards and showcasing their balanced attack with 300 rushing yards and 176 passing yards. A key player for Kansas State was the dynamic HB Deuce Vaughn, who displayed remarkable prowess with 22 carries, gaining 136 yards and contributing two crucial touchdowns. On the other side, despite Oklahoma's efforts, they struggled to find their footing, gaining 327 yards in total offense and facing a resilient Kansas State defense. QB Dillon Gabriel showcased his passing abilities with 258 yards and two touchdowns, but it wasn't enough to counter Kansas State's determined performance. This unexpected victory will undoubtedly reshape the narrative of the Big 12 conference as the season progresses.

Wisconsin Shocks College Football World, Hands #2 Ohio State First Loss, 21-16

In a stunning upset, the #13 Wisconsin Badgers triumphed over the #2 Ohio State Buckeyes, 21-16 on their turf. Wisconsin showcased a solid offensive performance, amassing 371 yards in total offense, with a notable 204 rushing yards and 167 passing yards. Despite facing a formidable Ohio State defense, the Badgers capitalized on crucial plays, led by quarterback Graham Mertz, who displayed finesse with 167 yards through the air and a critical rushing touchdown. On the other side, Ohio State struggled without injured quarterback CJ Stroud, as his replacement, Kyle McCord, faced challenges, completing 11 of 31 passes for 161 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. stood out for Ohio State, making significant contributions with five catches for 94 yards and a touchdown. The victory was a testament to Wisconsin's resilience and tactical execution against one of the nation's top teams.

[jasontoddwhitt]

Cat Scratches

Kentucky Bolster 2023 Class with Kicker and Versatile Defensive Tackle

In a recent recruiting update, the Kentucky Wildcats have added two more promising athletes to their 2023 recruiting class. First on the list is Jereme Thibodeaux, a 2-star kicker from Winchester, Kentucky. Thibodeaux ranked the 14th kicker in the class, boasts a powerful leg, making him a standout prospect. Despite questions about accuracy, Thibodeaux's potential to significantly impact special teams is undeniable.

Additionally, the Wildcats secured a commitment from Jake Smith, a 3-star defensive tackle from Hilliard, Ohio. Smith, ranked 139th in his position nationally, brings versatility. As a junior college transfer, he will have three years of eligibility, providing valuable experience to the team. While Smith is currently on the smaller side for a defensive tackle, weighing 252 pounds, his potential to transition to defensive end or bulk up adds to his adaptability on the field.

With these latest commitments, Kentucky's 2023 recruiting class has received a notable boost, ranking 16th in the nation. The Wildcats continue to build a promising squad, aiming for a bright future on the field.



Kentucky HB Chris Rodriguez Jr. Ruled Out for #12 Ole Miss Game with Back Strain

In a setback for the Kentucky Wildcats, senior running back Chris Rodriguez Jr., a vital component of their offense, has been ruled out for the upcoming game against #12 Ole Miss. Rodriguez suffered a strained back during the first quarter of the Northern Illinois game, limiting his availability for the upcoming matchup. Stepping into the spotlight will be junior HB Jutahn McClain, who showcased his talent and potential by rushing for 140 yards and a touchdown in relief of Rodriguez in the previous game against Northern Illinois. With McClain set to start, the Wildcats aim to maintain their offensive momentum against a tough Ole Miss team.


[L] Rodriguez has rushed for 451 yards on the season and will be a big loss against Ole Miss. [R] McClain rushed for 140 against NIU, but can the same level of performance be expected against a top-15 defense in Ole Miss?

[jasontoddwhitt]

Brenden Bates found the end zone twice today.

Kentucky Edges #12 Ole Miss in Thrilling 27-26 Victory

In a nail-biting clash of SEC powerhouses, the #11 Kentucky Wildcats edged out the #12 Mississippi Rebels by a score of 27-26. The game was a rollercoaster of emotions, showcasing the resilience and determination of both teams.

The Rebels struck first, as Quinshon Judkins punched in a 5-yard touchdown run, setting the tone for the day. The Wildcats answered with a 34-yard touchdown pass from Will Levis to Brenden Bates, displaying their offensive prowess.

Mississippi, however, managed to maintain a slim lead into halftime, thanks to a successful field goal by Jonathan Cruz and a touchdown pass from Jaxson Dart to Malik Heath following a Jutahn McClain fumble. Yet, Kentucky's ability to strike back quickly was showcased when Tayvion Robinson caught a 52-yard pass from Levis, keeping them in the game.


[L] Juthan McClain had to leave the game, but returned after getting blasted on this catch over the middle. [R] Tayvion Robinson got behind the defense on this hail mary attempt to close the half down 17-14.

The third quarter saw an intense back-and-forth, with both teams showing their defensive strength and offensive firepower. The Rebels held a narrow lead with a field goal, but Kentucky retaliated with another touchdown, a 61-yard pass from Levis to Bates.

The tension peaked as the game clock ticked down in the fourth quarter. Mississippi managed to secure a slender lead with a late field goal by Cruz. However, the Wildcats, refusing to back down, responded with a field goal by Matt Ruffolo, putting them ahead by one point with only three seconds remaining.


[L] Jaxson Dart got away from J.J. Weaver... [R] But he couldn't get away from former Rebel Jacquez Jones.

Head Coach Mark Stoops summarized the team's performance, stating, "Today was a testament to the resilience and determination of this team. We don't usually come out on top with three turnovers; that's a fact. But our defense stepped up when it mattered most, making critical stops. And our offense...they found a way to create those big plays that made the difference. It's about finding ways to win, even when the odds are stacked against you. And today, we did just that."

The Wildcats now set their sights on a home clash against the South Carolina Gamecocks, who come in with a strong 4-1 record after a dominant 49-0 victory over South Carolina State. The Wildcats will look to build on this hard-fought victory and maintain their momentum in the challenging SEC competition.

Kentucky Wildcats at Mississippi Rebels
Oct 1, 2022	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
#11 Kentucky Wildcats (5-0, 2-0 SEC)	0	14	7	6	27
#12 Mississippi Rebels (4-1, 0-1 SEC)	7	10	3	6	26

Team Stats Comparison
	UK	MISS
Total Offense	434	444
Rushing Yards	108	138
Passing Yards	326	306
First Downs	15	23
Punt Return Yards	20	0
Kick Return Yards	208	105
Total Yards	662	549
Turnovers	3	0
3rd Down Conversion	4-10 (40%)	5-13 (38%)
4th Down Conversion	1-1 (100%)	0-1 (0%)
2-Point Conversion	0-0	0-0
Red Zone Trips/Touchdowns/Field Goals	2-0-2 (100%)	5-2-3 (100%)
Penalties	3-35	5-25
Possession Time	12:23	19:37

Scoring Summary
FIRST QUARTER SCORING		UK	MISS
4:13	(MISS) TD: Q. Judkins, 5 Yd run (J. Cruz kick)	0	7
SECOND QUARTER SCORING		UK	MISS
7:53	(UK) TD: B. Bates, 34 Yd pass from W. Levis (M. Ruffolo kick)	7	7
1:52	(MISS) FG: J. Cruz, 31 Yd FG	7	10
0:28	(MISS) TD: M. Heath, 8 Yd pass from J. Dart (J. Cruz kick)	7	17
0:00	(UK) TD: T. Robinson, 52 Yd pass from W. Levis (M. Ruffolo kick)	14	17
THIRD QUARTER SCORING		UK	MISS
3:44	(MISS) FG: J. Cruz, 37 Yd FG	14	20
3:03	(UK) TD: B. Bates, 61 Yd pass from W. Levis (M. Ruffolo kick)	21	20
FOURTH QUARTER SCORING		UK	MISS
5:14	(MISS) FG: J. Cruz, 36 Yd FG	21	23
3:06	(UK) FG: M. Ruffolo, 41 Yd FG	24	23
0:45	(MISS) FG: J. Cruz, 37 Yd FG	24	26
0:03	(UK) FG: M. Ruffolo, 31 Yd FG	27	26

Kentucky Wildcats PASSING C/A YDS TD INT Will Levis 21/33 326 3 2 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD Jutahn McClain 15 74 4.9 0 Kavosiey Smoke 5 19 3.8 0 Lavell Wright 1 3 3.0 0 Will Levis 1 12 12.0 0 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD Jordan Dingle 7 52 7.4 0 Dane Key 5 63 12.6 0 Tayvion Robinson 3 83 27.6 1 Brenden Bates 3 103 34.3 2 Jutahn McClain 3 25 8.3 0 DEFENSE TACK SACK INT TD Tyrell Ajian 11 0 0 0 Jacquez Jones 9 1 0 0 J.J. Weaver 7 1 0 0 Deandre Square 7 0 0 0 Jordan Wright 6 0 0 0 Jordan Lovett 5 0 0 0 Carrington Valentine 5 0 0 0 Taj Dodson 3 0 0 0 Deone Walker 3 0 0 0 Tayvion Robinson 1 0 0 0 Josaih Hayes 1 0 0 0 Tre'Vonn Rybka 1 0 0 0 Justin Rogers 1 0 0 0 Dane Key 1 0 0 0 Kahil Saunders 1 1 0 0 KICKING FG XP PTS LONG Matt Ruffolo 2/2 3/3 9 42 PUNTING NO YDS AVG IN20 Colin Goodfellow 3 135 45.0 0 KICK RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Barion Brown 7 208 29.7 0 PUNT RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Tayvion Robinson 2 20 10.0 0

Mississippi Rebels PASSING C/A YDS TD INT Jaxson Dart 24/33 306 1 0 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD Quinshon Judkins 20 139 6.9 1 Jaxson Dart 11 -40 -3.6 0 Ulysses Bentley IV 6 18 3.0 0 Hudson Wolfe 1 13 13.0 0 Jordan Watkins 1 8 8.0 0 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD Jonathan Mingo 11 165 15.0 0 Michael Trigg 3 23 7.6 0 Malik Heath 3 35 11.6 1 Dayton Wade 2 31 15.5 0 Ulysses Bentley IV 2 12 6.0 0 Hudson Wolfe 1 28 28.0 0 Isaiah Woullard 1 4 4.0 0 Jordan Watkins 1 8 8.0 0 BLOCKING PANCAKE SACK Quinshon Judkins 0 1 Nick Broeker 0 2 DEFENSE TACK SACK INT TD Ladarius Tennison 7 0 0 0 Troy Brown 7 0 0 0 Tysheem Johnson 4 0 0 0 J.J. Pegues 4 0 0 0 A.J. Finley 4 0 0 0 Trey Washington 4 0 0 0 Austin Keys 4 0 0 0 Deantre Prince 2 0 2 0 Dayton Wade 2 0 0 0 Tavius Robinson 2 0 0 0 K.D. Hill 1 0 0 0 Davison Igbinosun 1 0 0 0 Jared Ivey 1 0 0 0 Miles Battle 1 0 0 0 Hudson Wolfe 1 0 0 0 KICKING FG XP PTS LONG Jonathan Cruz 4/5 2/2 14 37 PUNTING NO YDS AVG IN20 Frasier Masin 2 89 44.5 0 KICK RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Jaylon Robinson 3 84 28.0 0 Dayton Wade 1 21 21.0 0

Will Levis hung in there to deliver this pass to Brenden Bates that turned into a 62-yard pass to give the Cats their first lead.

[studbucket]

What a game. Way to pull out the close victory.

Levis is being a bit loose with the football though and probably needs to tone down the risky throws (at least based on his recent INT numbers).

Your recaps remind me a lot of the ChatGPT text I've been generating for RIFLE. Are they AI generated as well? Or a coincidence?

[jasontoddwhitt]

Quote: Originally Posted by studbucket

What a game. Way to pull out the close victory. Levis is being a bit loose with the football though and probably needs to tone down the risky throws (at least based on his recent INT numbers). Your recaps remind me a lot of the ChatGPT text I've been generating for RIFLE. Are they AI generated as well? Or a coincidence?

One of the picks was just a bad throw into double coverage. The other pick, the corner just made a hell of a play on the ball. He misses it, and Dane Key has a touchdown catch. That throw to Brenden Bates with the linebacker breathing all over Levis was on the MONEY though. If you look at the bottom image, Bates breaks the tackle on the defender behind him, then he picks up a block from Key on the outside and he rumbled all the way.

Probably had no business winning that game. But we were getting chunk plays thanks to poor tackling. And while Ole Miss was able to move the ball at will, when they got close, they started faltering.

The game recaps are a mixture. I use it to supplement. I still proofread and rewrite some of it, or if I notice it uses the word 'prowess' way too much, lol. The game recaps in the scoreboards are strictly the AI. I give it a few notes on the game and it spits out a summary. Definitely the cure for writer's block and streamlines the process.

[Careless Whisper]

Thrilling win against Ole Miss and I'm now following! How'd you position yourself for the winning FG after they went up with 45 seconds to go?

[studbucket]

Quote: Originally Posted by jasontoddwhitt

One of the picks was just a bad throw into double coverage. The other pick, the corner just made a hell of a play on the ball. He misses it, and Dane Key has a touchdown catch. That throw to Brenden Bates with the linebacker breathing all over Levis was on the MONEY though. If you look at the bottom image, Bates breaks the tackle on the defender behind him, then he picks up a block from Key on the outside and he rumbled all the way. Probably had no business winning that game. But we were getting chunk plays thanks to poor tackling. And while Ole Miss was able to move the ball at will, when they got close, they started faltering. The game recaps are a mixture. I use it to supplement. I still proofread and rewrite some of it, or if I notice it uses the word 'prowess' way too much, lol. The game recaps in the scoreboards are strictly the AI. I give it a few notes on the game and it spits out a summary. Definitely the cure for writer's block and streamlines the process.

Thanks for the details, pretty cool

That sounds like a really good approach and way to use ChatGPT. I have been playing around with prompts to improve the output, but I haven't figured out a way to get rid of the way it finishes every sentence with some sort of superlative or fake positive spin. I want it to be a bit more factual in some cases and not spin it.