LEXINGTON — Quarterback Will Levis completed 18 of his 26 passes for 303 yards and tossed four touchdowns as No. 8 Kentucky held off the Northern Illinois Huskies 31-23 on Saturday night at Kroger Field.
Along wit Levis' big day, the Wildcats had two receivers go over the century mark in receiving yards during the victory. Tayvion Robinson caught two touchdown passes, finishing with seven receptions for 147 yards and true freshman Barion Brown had four catches for 102 yards and two touchdowns .
Northern Illinois took the opening kickoff and marched 75 yards in 11 plays and chewed up just over six minutes of clock to take an early lead. The scoring play came on a third-and-goal play, as quarterback Ethan Hampton hit Tristen Tewes for the 2-yard score. John Richardson kicked the extra point to give the Huskies a 7-0.
Kentucky would answer with a touchdown their own in much the same way as their opponents, by driving 75 yards in 16 plays and consuming 8:01 off the clock. The drive included the Wildcats converting a fourth down play from their own 34.
Levis would connect with Brown for the 15-yard score to finish the drive. Matt Ruffolo would add the extra point to tie the game at 7 with :48 remaining in the opening quarter.
Later in the quarter, Kentucky would force the Huskies to punt, as Tom Foley would boot a 61 yard punt and pin the Wildcats at their own two yard line with 6:47 to play.
It wouldn't take long for Kentucky to get out of the shadow of their own goalpost, as running back Kavosiey Smoke would rip off a 27-yard run off the left side for a big first down.
Smoke lead the ground game, as he rushed 12 times for 85 yards as the Kentucky rushed for 103 yards as a team.
Later on in the drive, Levis would find a streaking Robinson and connect with the speedy receiver for a 69-yard touchdown. Ruffolo added the point after try and the Wildcats led 14-7 with 5:08 to play in the half.
Northern Illinois would be gifted a turnover that set them up at the Kentucky 34 with just 42 seconds left in the half. The Huskies would quickly take advantage of the turnover as Hampon would complete a 20-yard pass to Cole Tucker and a 9-yard completion to Fabian McCray in consecutive plays to put the Huskie 5 yard line.
Northern Illinois would hit pay dirt on third and goal, on a reverse to Shemar Thornton, who pulled up and connected with Tewes for a three-yard touchdown pass with :06 left in the half. Richardson booted the extra point and the game was tied at 14-14 as both teams headed for their locker rooms.
Kentucky would get the first possession of the second half and only need three plays to take the lead. On third-and-10, Levis would hit Brown across the middle, as the freshman would turn on the jets and leave the rest of the defense behind for a 70-yard touchdown. Ruffolo added the extra point and the Wildcats took a 21-14 lead just 58 seconds into the third quarter.
Later in the period, Kentucky would drive into Northern Illinois territory before the drive would stall. Ruffolo would come on to kick a 49-yard field goal to extend the lead to 24-14 3:04 remaining in the third frame.
The Wildcats would score again in the fourth quarter, this time using an 11-play, 78-yard drive, culminating with Levis throwing his final touchdown toss to Robinson, this one covering 40 yards. Ruffolo's kick would put the Wildcats ahead 31-14 with 8:46 remaining in the game.
Northern Illinois would put together a late rally starting with a 38-yard field goal from Thornton to cut the Kentucky lead to 14 points with 5:26 to play.
After forcing a Wildcat punt, the Huskies would strike quickly, as Hampton connected with Kacper Rutkiewicz for a 63-yard gain, putting the ball on the Kentucky 5.
Aided by a penalty and a fresh set of downs, the Huskies would punch in for the score as Justin Lynch would run in from 2-yards out to cut the lead down to 31-23.
The two-point conversion pass by Hampton was broken up by Zion Childress and the Kentucky held on to an 31-23 advantage with 2:47 to play.
After an unsuccessful onside kick by the Huskies, Kentucky was able to run out the clock and seal the victory.
Jacquez Jones led the Kentucky defense with 12 tackles, including four solo tackles. DeAndre Square and Jordan Wright each recorded six tackles.
Kentucky is on the road next week, to face Ole Miss. Kickoff is set for noon ET and the game will be broadcasted on ESPN.
No. Illinois 7 7 0 9 = 23
Kentucky 7 7 10 7 = 31
First Quarter
NIU - Tristen Tewes 2 pass from Ethan Hampton (John Richardson kick), 8:53
UK - Barion Brown 15 pass from Will Levis (Matt Ruffolo kick), :48
Second Quarter
UK - Tayvion Robinson 69 pass from Will Levis (Matt Ruffolo kick), 5:08
NIU - Tristen Tewes 3 pass from Shemar Thornton (J.Richardson kick), :06
Third Quarter
UK - Barion Brown 70 pass from Will Levis (Matt Ruffolo kick), 14:02
UK - Matt Ruffolo 49 field goal, 3:04
Fourth Quarter
UK - Tayvion Robinson 40 pass from Will Levis (Matt Ruffolo kick), 8:46
NIU - John Richardson 38 FG, 5:26
NIU - Justin Lynch 2 rush (Harrison Waylee pass from Ethan Hampton failed), 1:27
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