Rise of the Bluegrass Empire: A Kentucky Wildcats Dynasty

[studbucket]

Oh man, that's a tough loss. Gotta win out and hope for some luck from here. At least your run defense was better, but that second half offense struggled.

[jasontoddwhitt]

Quote: Originally Posted by studbucket

Oh man, that's a tough loss. Gotta win out and hope for some luck from here. At least your run defense was better, but that second half offense struggled.

Definitely a tale of two halves. We had 204 yards of offense in the first half and 87 yards in the second half. Couldn't get the run game going in the second half, could only get routes underneath, and couldn't get any yards after the catch.

Missouri is better than what their sim record and stats were showing.

[jasontoddwhitt]

Kentucky Land Versatile Safety Terrell Lincoln for 2023 Class

The Kentucky Wildcats have reason to celebrate as they secure their latest addition to the 2023 recruiting class. 3-star safety Terrell Lincoln, hailing from Carbondale, Illinois, has verbally committed to donning the blue and white. At 6'2" and 222 pounds, Lincoln brings an impressive physical presence to the defensive backfield.

Lincoln is no stranger to the spotlight, being considered a coverage safety with the skills to impact the field. His versatility in coverage, coupled with his hard-hitting style, makes him a coveted prospect for the Wildcats.

Kentucky won a competitive recruitment battle as they successfully wooed Lincoln away from other suitors, with Northwestern among the contenders. Lincoln also drew interest from schools like Illinois, Northern Illinois, and Missouri. His commitment to the Wildcats is a testament to the growing reputation of the program.

Ranked as the #60 safety in the 2023 class, Terrell Lincoln is poised to make his mark on the Kentucky defense. He had the opportunity to experience the Wildcat environment firsthand during his official visit, which coincided with the thrilling Mississippi State game.

During summer camps, Lincoln showcased his athleticism, recording a 4.64 40-yard dash time. His impressive strength was evident with a 340-pound bench press and a 275-pound squat. These measurables, combined with his on-field skills, signal a promising future for the rising star.



In other recruiting news, the Wildcats find themselves on the other side of the commitment story. Highly touted 4-star offensive tackle Taco Jones, who was rated as the #1 tackle in the class, has decided to take his talents to the Miami Hurricanes. The decision comes after an intense recruitment battle, with Kentucky, Auburn, and Georgia Tech also vying for Jones's commitment.

Vanderbilt Preview

[jasontoddwhitt]

Chauncy Magwood lands on top of a Commodore defender and rolls into the endzone to send the game to OT.

Kentucky Pulls off Overtime Thriller Against Vanderbilt

LEXINGTON, KY -- In a nail-biting showdown at Kroger Field, the #15 Kentucky Wildcats found themselves locked in a fierce battle with the Vanderbilt Commodores. The game had all the elements of a classic college football clash, with the Wildcats having to dig deep to claim a thrilling 23-20 overtime victory.

Kentucky's offensive line struggles that had crept in during the Missouri game carried over into this matchup. The struggles were evident as the line had difficulty opening running lanes for the talented Wildcats' backs. While quarterback Will Levis wasn't sacked, he was under pressure and hurried several times throughout the contest.

Head coach Mark Stoops expressed his concern about the offensive line's performance. "Our offensive line needs to regroup and find their rhythm again. We've got the talent; we need to get the execution right," Stoops commented.


Vanderbilt WR Will Sheppard walked the tight rope into the end zone to give the Commodores a 10-3 lead.

Kentucky's defense was the team's saving grace, forcing two turnovers and sacking Vanderbilt's AJ Swann four times. Stoops praised the defense, saying, "They kept us in the game, and we're grateful for their tenacity. It was nice to force some turnovers today."



[L] Carrington Valentine goes high for his second interception of the season. [R] Deandre Square cuts off this throw into the flat, but Re'mahn Davis prevented the touchdown return.

As the clock wound down, and with Vanderbilt leading 17-10, it seemed Kentucky's chances were slipping away. However, quarterback Will Levis took the helm of a masterful drive, engineering an incredible comeback. When the Wildcats entered the red zone, their progress seemed to stall. But faced with a critical fourth down, Levis delivered a perfect pass to Chauncy Magwood, who displayed incredible determination. Magwood was initially stopped short of the end zone but was thrown backward by a defender. In an unbelievable twist, he landed on top of another Vanderbilt player, rolling into the end zone for the game-tying score.

In overtime, the Kentucky defense stood firm, holding Vanderbilt to a field goal. With the score at 20-17, it was up to Levis and the offense to seal the deal. Jutahn McClain became the day's hero, punching in a one-yard touchdown run to secure the 23-20 victory for the Wildcats.

Kentucky may have won today, but they need to figure some things out this week before the Georgia Bulldogs enter town. Coach Stoops acknowledged that they face a tough hill to climb even on their best day, and a game like the last three halves of football Kentucky has played will ensure defeat.

Vanderbilt Commodores at Kentucky Wildcats
Nov 12, 2022	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	OT	SCORE
Vanderbilt Commodores (3-7, 2-4 SEC)	0	3	7	7	3	20
#15 Kentucky Wildcats (8-2, 5-2 SEC)	0	0	3	14	6	23

Team Stats Comparison
	VAN	UK
Total Offense	313	362
Rushing Yards	45	107
Passing Yards	268	255
First Downs	12	20
Punt Return Yards	8	68
Kick Return Yards	68	74
Total Yards	389	504
Turnovers	2	0
3rd Down Conversion	6-15 (40%)	7-18 (38%)
4th Down Conversion	0-0	1-3 (33%)
2-Point Conversion	0-0	0-0
Red Zone Trips/Touchdowns/Field Goals	3-1-2 (100%)	4-3-1 (100%)
Penalties	11-117	7-42
Possession Time	17:59	18:37

Scoring Summary
SECOND QUARTER SCORING		VAN	UK
0:01	(VAN) FG: J. Bulovas, 22 Yd FG	3	0
THIRD QUARTER SCORING		VAN	UK
3:42	(UK) FG: M. Ruffolo, 20 Yd FG	3	3
1:18	(VAN) TD: W. Sheppard, 29 Yd pass from A. Swann (J. Bulovas kick)	10	3
FOURTH QUARTER SCORING		VAN	UK
6:27	(UK) TD: J. McClain, 1 Yd run (M. Ruffolo kick)	10	10
1:52	(VAN) TD: R. Davis, 2 Yd run (J. Bulovas kick)	17	10
0:41	(UK) TD: C. Magwood, 12 Yd pass from W. Levis (M. Ruffolo kick)	17	17
OVERTIME SCORING		VAN	UK
--	(VAN) FG: J. Bulovas, 36 Yd FG	20	17
--	(UK) TD: J. McClain, 1 Yd run	20	23

Vanderbilt Commodores PASSING C/A YDS TD INT AJ Swann 21/46 268 1 2 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD Re'mahn Davis 10 46 4.6 1 AJ Swann 7 -14 -1.9 0 Devin Boddie Jr. 1 5 5.0 0 Will Sheppard 1 8 8.0 0 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD Ben Bresnahan 9 91 10.1 0 Will Sheppard 5 85 17.0 1 Jayden McGowan 3 24 8.0 0 Quincy Skinner Jr. 3 44 14.6 0 Devin Boddie Jr. 1 24 24.0 0 BLOCKING PANCAKE SACK Jacob Brammer 0 1 Ben Cox 0 1 Gunnar Hansen 0 2 DEFENSE TACK SACK INT TD Anfernee Orji 10 (2tfl) 0 0 0 CJ Taylor 8 (1tfl) 0 0 0 De'Rickey Wright 7 (1tfl) 0 0 (1pd) 0 Jeremy Lucien 6 (1tfl) 0 0 (2pd) 0 Ethan Barr 5 (2tfl) 0 0 0 Michael Owusu 4 (2tfl) 0 0 0 Justin Harris 4 0 0 0 Nate Clifton 4 0 0 0 Tyson Russell 4 0 0 (1pd) 0 Jaylen Mahoney 3 0 0 0 Gavin Schoenwald 1 0 0 0 Delfin Castillo 1 0 0 0 Gamerion Carter 1 0 0 0 Elijah McAllister 1 (1tfl) 0 0 0 Kane Patterson 1 (1tfl) 0 0 0 KICKING FG XP PTS LONG Joseph Bulovas 2/2 2/2 8 36 PUNTING NO YDS AVG IN20 Matthew Hayball 8 336 42.0 0 KICK RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Jayden McGowan 3 68 22.6 0 PUNT RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Jayden McGowan 1 8 8.0 0

Kentucky Wildcats PASSING C/A YDS TD INT Will Levis 26/44 255 1 0 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD Chris Rodriguez Jr. 21 55 2.6 0 Jutahn McClain 9 25 2.7 2 Kavosiey Smoke 2 4 2.0 0 Will Levis 2 22 11.0 0 Izayah Cummings 1 1 1.0 0 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD Chauncy Magwood 8 74 9.2 1 Jordan Dingle 6 64 10.6 0 Dane Key 5 62 12.4 0 Tayvion Robinson 3 46 15.3 0 Brenden Bates 2 5 2.5 0 Chris Rodriguez Jr. 2 4 2.0 0 DEFENSE TACK SACK INT TD Deandre Square 8 0 1 0 Jordan Lovett 7 0 0 0 J.J. Weaver 4 (2tfl) 2 0 (3pd) 0 Keidron Smith 3 0 0 (1pd) 0 Trey'vonn Rybka 2 (1tfl) 1 0 0 Deone Walker 2 (1tfl) 0 0 0 Jacquez Jones 2 0 0 0 Kobi Albert 2 0 0 0 Taj Dodson 1 0 0 0 Carrington Valentine 1 0 1 (1pd) 0 Tyrell Ajian 1 0 0 0 Jordan Wright 1 (1tfl) 1 0 0 Keaten Wade 1 0 0 0 KICKING FG XP PTS LONG Matt Ruffolo 1/4 2/2 5 20 PUNTING NO YDS AVG IN20 Colin Goodfellow 4 163 40.7 2 KICK RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Kavosiey Smoke 2 45 22.5 0 Jutahn McClain 1 29 29.0 0 PUNT RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Tayvion Robinson 7 68 9.7 0

Jutahn McClain's second TD seals a tougher-than-expected victory for the Cats.

[studbucket]

Fun win! and I love the Will Sheppard tightrope screenshot. That's beautiful.

[jasontoddwhitt]

Quote: Originally Posted by studbucket

Fun win! and I love the Will Sheppard tightrope screenshot. That's beautiful.

It sure didn't feel fun. That game was a grind, like most Kentucky-Vandy games in real life, no matter how the teams look on paper.

[jasontoddwhitt]

Around the Nation -- Week 12 Edition

Shocker in the Pac-12 as Unranked Oregon Dominates #3 Washington

In a stunning turn of events, unranked Oregon pulled off a massive upset against the #3-ranked Washington Huskies, delivering a crushing 52-10 defeat that sent shockwaves through the Pac-12. The Oregon Ducks put on a clinic in all phases of the game, with quarterback Bo Nix leading the charge, passing for 250 yards and a touchdown. The Oregon ground game was unstoppable, with Noah Whittington rushing for 129 yards and Bucky Irving scoring four touchdowns. Meanwhile, the Washington Huskies struggled to find their footing as a relentless Oregon defense stifled their offensive efforts, forcing four turnovers. It was a game that left college football fans nationwide stunned and eager to see what's in store in the final few weeks of the season.

Unranked Nebraska Stuns #8 Michigan with Dominant Victory

In a game that left the college football world in awe, the unranked Nebraska Cornhuskers delivered a jaw-dropping performance by upsetting the #8-ranked Michigan Wolverines with a resounding 31-7 victory. Quarterback Casey Thompson led the way for Nebraska, passing for an impressive 321 yards, including two touchdowns. On the other side, Michigan's offense was stifled as they suffered through a challenging game, with quarterback J.J. McCarthy throwing three interceptions. The Nebraska defense was relentless, and the Huskers' running back, Anthony Grant, contributed a touchdown. This unexpected victory shook up the Big Ten and clearly showed that Nebraska is a force to be reckoned with this season.

Alabama Secures SEC West Title with Convincing Victory Over Ole Miss

In a high-stakes battle that would determine the SEC West champion, the #2-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide delivered a dominant performance on the road, defeating the #17-ranked Ole Miss Rebels with a commanding score of 42-21. Quarterback Bryce Young showcased his exceptional skills, throwing for 320 yards and four touchdowns while contributing on the ground with two rushing touchdowns. This victory secured Alabama's spot in the SEC Championship game, and their relentless offense, combined with a sturdy defense, sent a clear message that the Crimson Tide is a force to be reckoned with as they march towards a potential national title.

Louisville Edges Out Clemson in Double Overtime Thriller

In a thrilling showdown between two ACC powerhouses, the #18-ranked Louisville Cardinals emerged victorious in double overtime, defeating the #13-ranked Clemson Tigers with a nail-biting score of 48-41. The game was a rollercoaster of emotions, with Louisville surrendering a late fourth-quarter lead only to claw their way back into contention with a game-tying field goal. Both teams traded touchdowns in the first overtime, but it was Louisville's defense that sealed the deal. They forced Clemson's star running back, Phil Mafah, to fumble for the second time, securing a remarkable win for the Cardinals. Quarterback Malik Cunningham played a pivotal role, tossing four touchdowns, and Louisville showcased its resilience in a contest that will be remembered for its dramatic twists and turns.

Coastal Carolina Overcomes Halftime Deficit to Maintain Undefeated Streak

In a hard-fought battle, the #11-ranked Coastal Carolina Chanticleers preserved their undefeated season with a resilient second-half performance, rallying to defeat Southern Miss 31-21. Trailing 14-10 at halftime, Coastal Carolina came out of the locker room with renewed determination. The Chanticleers rattled off 21 unanswered points, with running back Reese White leading the charge with three rushing touchdowns. Quarterback Grayson McCall orchestrated the offense efficiently, throwing for one touchdown to seal the comeback victory. With this win, Coastal Carolina remains the last undefeated team in the nation and has their sights set on a New Year's Six bowl or a potential College Football Playoff berth, solidifying its status as a dominant force in the college football landscape.

USC Dominates Colorado in a Lopsided Victory

The #6-ranked USC Trojans continued their impressive run through the Pac-12, securing a 55-7 victory over the Colorado Buffaloes. USC's offense, led by quarterback Caleb Williams, was firing on all cylinders as they piled up the points. Williams threw for 237 yards and two touchdowns, with Jordan Addison being his favorite target. Running back Austin Jones had a standout performance with 129 yards on the ground and three touchdowns, contributing to the Trojans' explosive offensive display. On the defensive side, USC stifled Colorado's efforts, forcing three turnovers and limiting them to just one touchdown. With this victory, the Trojans improved to 9-1 and remain undefeated in conference play, firmly positioning themselves as contenders in the Pac-12.

Oklahoma Holds Off West Virginia for a 21-15 Victory

In a closely contested Big 12 battle, the #12-ranked Oklahoma Sooners secured a hard-fought 21-15 win on the road against the West Virginia Mountaineers. Despite an arduous defensive effort from West Virginia, Oklahoma's quarterback Dillon Gabriel found the end zone thrice, passing for 136 yards. Wide receiver Marvin Mims was a key target for Gabriel, contributing a touchdown and 72 receiving yards. The Sooners' defense held firm, and with this victory, Oklahoma improved to 8-2, keeping their Big 12 title hopes alive as they look ahead to the postseason. West Virginia's J.T. Daniels gave a resilient performance with 183 passing yards and one touchdown, but it wasn't enough to edge out the Sooners.



New Year's Six Projections

[studbucket]

A bit surprised to see Oregon unranked. Been a tough year for them? Injuries? Bad defense?

Who is the best opponent Coastal Carolina has beat this year? Do they have any notable wins or upcoming games?