2020 Kentucky Wildcats football team

The 2020 Kentucky Wildcats football team represented the University of Kentucky in the 2020 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 eighth-year head coach Mark Stoops.

2020 Kentucky Wildcats football
Gator Bowl champion
Gator Bowl, W 23–21 vs. NC State
ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
DivisionEastern Division
Record5–6 (4–6 SEC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorEddie Gran (5th season)
Co-offensive coordinatorDarin Hinshaw (5th season)
Offensive schemeSpread
Defensive coordinatorBrad White (2nd season)
Base defense3–4 or 4–3
Home stadiumKroger Field
2020 Southeastern Conference football standings
ConfOverall
Team W L  W L 
East Division
No. 13 Florida x  8 2   8 4  
No. 7 Georgia  7 2   8 2  
Missouri  5 5   5 5  
Kentucky  4 6   5 6  
Tennessee  3 7   3 7  
South Carolina  2 8   2 8  
Vanderbilt  0 9   0 9  
West Division
No. 1 Alabama x$#^  10 0   13 0  
No. 4 Texas A&M  8 1   9 1  
Auburn  6 4   6 5  
LSU*  5 5   5 5  
Ole Miss  4 5   5 5  
Arkansas  3 7   3 7  
Mississippi State  3 7   4 7  
Championship: Alabama 52, Florida 46
  • # College Football Playoff champion
  • ^ College Football Playoff participant
  • $ Conference champion
  • x Division champion/co-champions
  • * – ineligible for postseason due to self imposed ban
    Note: Due to COVID-19, the SEC played a conference-only schedule.
Rankings from AP Poll.

Preseason

SEC Media Days

In the preseason media poll, Kentucky was predicted to finish in fourth place in the East Division.[1]

Media poll (East Division)
Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
1Florida624 (53)
2Georgia613 (43)
3Tennessee434
4Kentucky405
5South Carolina287
6Missouri224
7Vanderbilt101

Schedule

Kentucky had games scheduled against Eastern Illinois, Eastern Michigan, Kent State, and Louisville, which were all canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2][3] This will be the first season since 1993 that the Wildcats do not play Louisville. As of 10/16/2020, the SEC swapped two teams and the dates of when they will play the Wildcats. This is because of an outbreak of COVID-19 among other competing SEC football teams. Missouri will be an away game on October 24, instead of an away game on the 31st and Georgia, at home, on October 31 instead of the 24th.

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 26, 202012:00 p.m.at No. 8 AuburnNo. 23SECNL 13–2917,490
October 34:00 p.m.Ole Miss
  • Kroger Field
  • Lexington, KY
SECNL 41–42 OT12,000
October 107:30 p.m.Mississippi State
  • Kroger Field
  • Lexington, KY
SECNW 24–212,000
October 1712:00 p.m.at No. 18 TennesseeSECNW 34–722,519
October 244:00 p.m.at Missouri
  • Faurot Field
  • Columbia, MO
SECNL 10–2011,738
October 3112:00 p.m.No. 5 GeorgiaSECNL 3–1412,000
November 1412:00 p.m.Vanderbilt
  • Kroger Field
  • Lexington, KY (rivalry)
SECNW 38–3512,000
November 214:00 p.m.at No. 1 AlabamaSECNL 3–6319,424
November 2812:00 p.m.at No. 6 FloridaESPNL 10–3414,453
December 57:30 p.m.South Carolina
  • Kroger Field
  • Lexington, KY
SECNW 41–1812,000
January 2, 202112:00 p.m.vs. No. 23 NC State*ESPNW 23–2110,422

[4]

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
APRVRV*2323RV
CoachesRVRV*20RVRV
CFPNot releasedNot released

Game summaries

At Auburn

No. 23 Kentucky vs. No. 8 Auburn
Period 1 2 34Total
No. 23 Wildcats 7 0 6013
No. 8 Tigers 8 0 71429

at Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, AL

  • Date: September 26, 2020
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 75 °F (24 °C) • Wind: 5 mph W
  • Game attendance: 17,490
  • Referee: Steve Marlowe
  • TV announcers (SECN): Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (analyst), Cole Cubelic (sideline reporter)
  • Pregame line: Auburn –6.5 • Odds to win: Auburn 84.9% • Game summary: ESPN[5]
Game information
First quarter
  • (6:44) UK – Kavosiey Smoke 35 yd rush, Matt Ruffolo kick (Drive: 11 plays, 93 yds, 6:23; Kentucky 7–0)
  • (4:30) AUB – D. J. Williams 1 yd rush, John Samuel Shenker pass (Drive: 7 plays, 70 yds, 2:07; Auburn 8–7)
Second quarter

No scoring

Third quarter
  • (5:42) AUB – Seth Williams 11 yd pass from Bo Nix, Anders Carlson kick (Drive: 9 plays, 76 yds, 4:19; Auburn 15–7)
  • (1:00) UK – Akeem Hayes 8 yd pass from Terry Wilson, Terry Wilson pass failed (Drive: 11 plays, 73 yds, 4:34; Auburn 15–13)
Fourth quarter
  • (10:21) AUB – Seth Williams 4 yd pass from Bo Nix, Anders Carlson kick (Drive: 5 plays, 23 yds, 2:13; Auburn 22–13)
  • (8:17) AUB – Eli Stove 21 yd pass from Bo Nix, Anders Carlson kick (Drive: 2 plays, 27 yds, 0:50; Auburn 29–13)
Statistics UK AUB
First downs2116
Plays–yards78–38457–324
Rushes–yards40–14530–91
Passing yards239233
Passing: comp–att–int24–38–116–27–0
Time of possession36:2923:31
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Kentucky PassingTerry Wilson24/37, 239 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingKavosiey Smoke7 carries, 62 yds, 1 TD
ReceivingJosh Ali9 receptions, 98 yds
Auburn PassingBo Nix16/27, 233 yds, 3 TD
RushingBo Nix5 carries, 34 yds
ReceivingSeth Williams6 receptions, 112 yds, 2 TD

Ole Miss

Ole Miss vs. Kentucky
Period 1 2 34Total
Rebels 7 7 72142
Wildcats 14 7 71341

at Kroger Field, Lexington, KY

  • Date: October 3, 2020
  • Game time: 4:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 64 °F (18 °C)
  • Game attendance: 12,000
  • Referee: David Smith
  • TV announcers (SECN): Taylor Zarzour (play-by-play), Matt Stinchcomb (color), Taylor McGregor (sideline)
  • Pregame line: Kentucky −7 • O/U: 63 [6]
Game information
First Quarter
  • (12:38) MISS – Jerrion Ealy 1 yard rush, Luke Logan kick
    Ole Miss 7–0; 8 plays, 75 yards, 2:22
  • (7:36) UK – Terry Wilson 4 yard rush, Matt Ruffolo kick
    Tied 7–7; 4 plays, 29 yards, 1:54
  • (1:33) UK – A. J. Rose 2 yard rush, Matt Ruffolo kick
    Kentucky 14–7; 8 plays, 80 yards, 4:25
Second Quarter
  • (13:19) MISS – Kenny Yeboah 14 yard pass from Matt Corral, Luke Logan kick
    Tied 14–14; 10 plays, 75 yards, 3:14
  • (0:29) UK – Terry Wilson 22 yard rush, Matt Ruffolo kick
    Kentucky 21–14; 9 plays, 83 yards, 3:25
Third Quarter
  • (10:41) UK – Chris Rodriguez Jr. 22 yard rush, Matt Ruffolo kick
    Kentucky 28–14; 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:19
  • (9:17) MISS – Jonathan Mingo 24 yard pass from Matt Corral, Luke Logan kick
    Kentucky 28–21; 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:24
Fourth Quarter
  • (13:37) MISS – Jonathan Mingo 16 yard pass from Matt Corral, Luke Logan kick
    Tied 28–28; 5 plays, 54 yards, 1:30
  • (8:23) MISS – Snoop Conner 1 yard rush, Luke Logan kick
    Ole Miss 35–28; 3 plays, 53 yards, 0:47
  • (2:04) UK – Chris Rodriguez Jr. 1 yard rush, Matt Ruffolo kick
    Tied 35–35; 12 plays, 75 yards, 6:19
Overtime
  • UK – Terry Wilson 10 yard rush, PAT missed
    Kentucky 41–35; 3 plays, 25 yards
  • MISS – Elijah Moore 3 yard pass from Matt Corral, Luke Logan kick
    Ole Miss 42–41; 4 plays, 25 yards
StatisticsMISS UK
First downs2626
Total yards459559
Passing yards320151
Rushing yards139408
Penalties5–338–81
Turnovers01
Time of possession23:5536:05
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Ole MissPassingMatt Corral24/29, 320 yards, 4 TD
RushingMatt Corral13 carries, 51 yards
ReceivingJonathan Mingo8 receptions, 128 yards, 2 TD
KentuckyPassingTerry Wilson14/18, 151 yards
RushingChris Rodriguez Jr.17 carries, 133 yards, 2 TD
ReceivingJosh Ali7 receptions, 88 yards

Mississippi State

Mississippi State vs. Kentucky
Period 1 2 34Total
Bulldogs 0 0 202
Wildcats 0 14 01024

at Kroger Field, Lexington, KY

  • Date: October 10, 2020
  • Game time: 7:30 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 67 °F (19 °C) • Wind: 5 SE mph
  • Game attendance: 12,000
  • Referee: Ken Williamson
  • TV: SECN
  • [7]
StatisticsMSSTUK
First downs1810
Total yards295157
Rushing yards2084
Passing yards27573
Turnovers61
Time of possession34:4925:11
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Mississippi StatePassingK. J. Costello36–55, 232 yards, 4 INT
RushingKylin Hill7 rushes, 17 yards
ReceivingKylin Hill15 receptions, 79 yards
KentuckyPassingTerry Wilson8–20, 73 yards, TD
RushingTerry Wilson13 rushes, 50 yards
ReceivingJosh Ali2 receptions, 22 yards

At Tennessee

Kentucky vs. No. 21 Tennessee
Period 1 2 34Total
Wildcats 0 17 10734
No. 21 Volunteers 0 7 007

at Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, TN

  • Date: October 17, 2020
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Sunny, Temperature: 85 °F (29 °C)
  • Game attendance: 22,519
  • Referee: Marc Curles
  • TV announcers (SECN): Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (color), Cole Cubelic (sidelines)
  • [8]
StatisticsUKUTK
First downs1818
Total yards294287
Rushing yards187175
Passing yards107112
Turnovers14
Time of possession33:5926:01
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
KentuckyPassingTerry Wilson12/15, 101 yards, TD
RushingChris Rodriguez Jr.13 carries, 73 yards, TD
ReceivingJosh Ali4 receptions, 38 yards
TennesseePassingJarrett Guarantano14/21, 88 yards, 2 INT
RushingEric Gray24 carries, 129 yards
ReceivingBrandon Johnson4 receptions, 37 yards

At Missouri

Kentucky vs. Missouri
Period 1 2 34Total
Wildcats 0 3 0710
Tigers 7 3 7320

at Faurot Field, Columbia, MO

  • Date: October 24, 2020
  • Game time: 4:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 48 °F (9 °C) • Wind: NW 12-17mph
  • Game attendance: 11,738
  • Referee: Lee Hedrick
  • TV: SECN
  • [9]
StatisticsUKMIZ
First downs826
Total yards145421
Rushing yards95220
Passing yards50201
Turnovers10
Time of possession16:5043:10
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
KentuckyPassingTerry Wilson4/11, 38 yards, TD
RushingChris Rodriguez Jr.9 carries, 48 yards
ReceivingJosh Ali4 receptions, 47 yards, TD
MissouriPassingConnor Bazelak21/30, 201 yards
RushingLarry Rountree III37 carries, 126 yards, 2 TD
ReceivingJalen Knox5 receptions, 60 yards

Georgia

No. 5 Georgia vs. Kentucky
Period 1 2 34Total
No. 5 Bulldogs 7 0 7014
Wildcats 0 3 003

at Kroger Field, Lexington, KY

  • Date: October 31, 2020
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Mostly Sunny • Temperature: 54 °F (12 °C) • Wind: 5 SE mph
  • Game attendance: 12,000
  • Referee: Matt Loeffler
  • TV: SECN
  • [10]
Game information
First quarter
  • (6:07) UGA - Stetson Bennett 2-yard Run (Jack Podlesny Kick) (Drive: 12 plays, 86 yards, 5:06; Georgia 7-0)
Second Quarter
  • (2:44) UK - Matt Ruffolo 34-yard Field Goal (Drive: 19 plays, 77 yards, 10:28; Georgia 7-3)
Third Quarter
  • (11:38) Zamir White 22-yard Run (Jack Podlesny Kick) (Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:22; Georgia 14-3)

3 14

Statistics UGA UK
First downs2015
Plays–yards58-34665-229
Rushes–yards43-21539-138
Passing yards13191
Passing: comp–att–int9-14-215-25-0
Time of possession25:0035:00
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Georgia PassingStetson Bennett9/13, 131 yds, 2 INT
RushingZamir White26 carries, 136 yds, 1 TD
ReceivingJames Cook4 receptions, 62 yds,
Kentucky PassingJoey Gatewood15-25, 91 yds
RushingChris Rodriguez20 carries, 108 yds
ReceivingJosh Ali5 receptions, 35 yds

Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt vs. Kentucky
Period 1 2 34Total
Commodores 0 14 71435
Wildcats 14 10 7738

at Kroger Field, Lexington, KY

  • Date: November 14, 2020
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 57 °F (14 °C) • Wind: 7 SE mph
  • Game attendance: 12,000
  • Referee: Alex Moore
  • TV: SECN
  • [11]
Statistics VAN UK
First downs2923
Total yards407458
Rushing yards180308
Passing yards227150
Turnovers00
Time of possession32:2627:34
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
VanderbiltPassingKen Seals21/32, 225 yards, 2 TD
RushingKeyon Henry-Brooks29 rushes, 121 yards
ReceivingAmir Abdur-Rahman7 receptions, 89 yards
KentuckyPassingTerry Wilson13/15, 110 yards, 2 TD
RushingChris Rodriguez Jr.13 rushes, 149 yards, 2 TD
ReceivingKeaton Upshaw2 receptions, 41 yards, TD

At Alabama

Pregame lineOver/under
+3058
Kentucky vs. No. 1 Alabama
Period 1 2 34Total
Wildcats 3 0 003
No. 1 Crimson Tide 7 21 211463

at Bryant–Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AL

  • Date: November 21, 2020
  • Game time: 4:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Partly Cloudy • Temperature: 73 °F (23 °C) • Wind: ESE 3mph
  • Game attendance: 19,424
  • Referee: Ken Williamson
  • TV announcers (SECN): Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (color), Cole Cubelic (sideline)
  • [12]
StatisticsKentuckyAlabama
First downs1229
Total yards179509
Rushing yards59226
Passing yards120283
Turnovers11
Time of possession28:5531:05
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
KentuckyPassingTerry Wilson10–19, 120 yards, 1 INT
RushingA. J. Rose10 carries, 68 yards
ReceivingJosh Ali4 receptions, 52 yards
AlabamaPassingMac Jones16–24, 230 yards, 2 TD's, 1 INT
RushingJase McClellan10 carries, 99 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingDeVonta Smith9 receptions, 144 yards, 2 TD's

At Florida

Kentucky vs. Florida
Period 1 2 34Total
Wildcats 0 10 0010
Gators 7 7 17334

at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, FL

  • Date: November 28, 2020
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Partly Cloudy • Temperature: 75 °F (24 °C) • Wind: NE 8mph
  • Game attendance: 14,453
  • Referee: David Smith
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Mark Jones, Dusty Dvoracek, and Marty Smith
  • [13]
Game information
First quarter
  • Florida – Kyle Pitts 56-yard pass from Kyle Trask (Evan McPherson kick), 6:03
Second quarter
  • Kentucky – Keaton Upshaw 4-yard pass from Terry Wilson (Matt Ruffolo kick), 11:18
  • Kentucky – Matt Ruffolo 22-yard field goal, 2:13
  • Florida – Kadarius Toney 50-yard punt return (Evan McPherson kick), 0:42
Third quarter
  • Florida – Kyle Pitts 2-yard pass from Kyle Trask (Evan McPherson kick), 12:35
  • Florida – Evan McPherson 34-yard field goal, 5:58
  • Florida – Kyle Pitts 7-yard pass from Kyle Trask (Evan McPherson kick), 3:36
Fourth quarter
  • Florida – Evan McPherson 40-yard field goal, 8:18
StatisticsUTKFLA
First downs1521
Total yards221418
Rushing yards159104
Passing yards62314
Turnovers32
Time of possession33:1926:41
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
KentuckyPassingTerry Wilson10/18, 62 yards, TD, 2 INT
RushingA. J. Rose15 carries, 58 yards
ReceivingJosh Ali6 receptions, 32 yards
FloridaPassingKyle Trask21/27, 256 yards, 3 TD
RushingDameon Pierce8 carries, 67 yards
ReceivingKyle Pitts5 receptions, 99 yards, 3 TD

South Carolina

South Carolina vs. Kentucky
Period 1 2 34Total
Gamecocks 3 0 7818
Wildcats 10 17 7741

at Kroger Field, Lexington, KY

  • Date: December 5, 2020
  • Game time: 7:30 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Clear • Temperature: 35 °F (2 °C) • Wind: 4 NW mph
  • Game attendance: 12,000
  • Referee: Marc Curles
  • TV: SECN
  • [14]Box Score
Game information
First Quarter
  • (5:41) UK – Matt Ruffolo 22-yard field goal (Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 5:20; Kentucky 3–0)
  • (4:19) UK – Chris Rodriguez Jr. 1-yard run, Matt Ruffolo kick (Drive: 2 plays, 26 yards, 0:28; Kentucky 10–0)
  • (1:45) SC – Parker White 47-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 10 yards, 2:25; Kentucky 10–3)
Second Quarter
  • (10:30) UK – Asim Rose Jr. 8-yard run, Matt Ruffolo kick (Drive: 5 plays, 81 yards, 2:01; Kentucky 17–3)
  • (1:14) UK – Chris Rodriguez Jr. 2-yard run, Matt Ruffolo kick (Drive: 7 plays, 39 yards, 3:26; Kentucky 24–3)
  • (0:00) UK – Matt Ruffolo 41-yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, 10 yards, 0:42; Kentucky 27–3)
Third Quarter
  • (7:28) UK – Terry Wilson 1-yard run, Matt Ruffolo kick (Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 7:32; Kentucky 34–3)
  • (5:21) SC – Kevin Harris 15-yard run, Parker White kick (Drive: 7 plays, 86 yards, 2:03; Kentucky 34–10)
Fourth Quarter
  • (5:12) SC – Dakereon Joyner 30-yard pass from Luke Doty, Luke Doty pass to Nick Muse for two-point conversion (Drive: 9 plays, 90 yards, 3:27; Kentucky 34–18)
  • (4:56) UK – Chris Rodriguez Jr. 79-yard run, Matt Ruffolo kick (Drive: 1 play, 79 yards, 0:12; Kentucky 41–18)
StatisticsSC UK
First downs2124
Total yards404492
Rushes/yards44/29745/291
Passing yards107201
Passing: Comp–Att–Int12-27-117-26-0
Time of possession25:4934:11
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
South CarolinaPassingLuke Doty11–25, 85 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingKevin Harris21 carries, 210 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingDakereon Joyner4 receptions, 43 yards, 1 TD
KentuckyPassingTerry Wilson17–26, 201 yards
RushingChris Rodriguez Jr.14 carries, 139 yards, 3 TD
ReceivingJustin Rigg3 receptions, 72 yards

Vs. NC State (Gator Bowl)

Kentucky vs. Florida (2021 TaxSlayer Gator Bowl)
Period 1 2 34Total
No. 23 NC State 0 0 71421
Kentucky 3 10 01023

at TIAA Bank FieldJacksonville, Florida

  • Date: Saturday, January 2, 2021
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 74 °F (23 °C) • Wind: SSW 13 mph
  • Game attendance: 10,422
  • Referee: Reggie Smith
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Anish Shroff (play-by-play), Tom Luginbill (analyst) and Lericia Harris (sideline)
  • ESPN game summary[15]
Game information
First quarter
  • (6:00) UK – Matt Ruffolo 25 yard field goal (Drive: 16 plays, 68 plays, 9:00; Kentucky 3–0)
Second quarter
  • (6:23) UK – Chris Rodriguez 4 yard rush, Matt Ruffolo kick (Drive: 6 plays, 79 yards, 2:39; Kentucky 10–0)
  • (0:02) UK – Matt Ruffolo 26 yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 69 yards, 1:21; Kentucky 13–0)
Third quarter
  • (2:56) NCST – C.J. Riley 9 yard pass from Bailey Hockman, Christopher Dunn kick (Drive: 13 plays, 76 yards, 6:12; Kentucky 13–7)
Fourth quarter
  • (5:45) UK – Matt Ruffolo 20 yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 40 yards, 3:09; Kentucky 16–7)
  • (4:46) NCST – Zonovan Knight 13 yard rush, Christopher Dunn kick (Drive: 3 plays, 37 yards, 0:54; Kentucky 16–14)
  • (2:55) UK – Chris Rodriguez 26 yard rush, Matt Ruffolo kick (Drive: 1 play, 26 yards, 0:07; Kentucky 23–14)
  • (1:10) NCST – Jordan Houston 2 yard rush, Christopher Dunn kick (Drive: 7 plays, 65 yards, 1:41; Kentucky 23–21)
Statistics NCST UK
First downs1919
Plays–yards66–31868–380
Rushes–yards26–5048–281
Passing yards26899
Passing: comp–att–int27–40–312–20–0
Time of possession25:5334:07
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
NC State PassingBailey Hockman27/40, 268 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT
RushingZonovan Knight12 carries, 52 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingThayer Thomas3 receptions, 46 yards
Kentucky PassingTerry Wilson12/20, 99 yards
RushingAsim Rose Jr.12 carries, 148 yards
ReceivingKeaton Upshaw2 receptions, 25 yards

Players drafted into the NFL

Round Pick Player Position NFL Club
119Jamin DavisLBWashington Football Team
244Kelvin JosephCBDallas Cowboys
6192Quinton BohannaDTDallas Cowboys
6200Brandin EcholsCBNew York Jets
6206Landon YoungOTNew Orleans Saints
7232Phil HoskinsDTCarolina Panthers

References

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