LEXINGTON — After a scoreless first quarter, Kentucky's offense came to life with a big second quarter to cruise by the Youngstown State Penguins 31-0 on Saturday at Kroger Field.
Not only did the defense register the first shut out 13 years, but they also held Youngstown State to just 192 yards of total offense.
Quarterback Will Levis had another big day for the Wildcats. The senior completed 27 of 35 passes for 377 yards and two touchdowns.
Dane Key and Tayvion Robinson were Levis’ primary targets in win. Key, the Lexington native, caught six passes for 90 yards and a touchdown. Robinson, the transfer from Virginia Tech, caught six passes and had 66 yards receiving.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Wildcats would finally break the tie on a quarterback sneak by Will Levis from 1 yard out. Matt Ruffolo added the point after and Kentucky led 7-0 with 13:34 left in the first half.
After another Penguin punt, the Wildcats drove down the field again, with Levis and Key connecting for a 29-yard gain early in the drive. Then later in the drive, Levis connected with Key again for a three-yard touchdown. Ruffolo's kick extended the led to 14-0 with 6:10 remaining in the second.
Youngstown would have to punt again on its next possession but the Penguins would get the ball back at the Kentucky 47 on a fumble by La’Vell Wright. However the defense would shut down the Penguins again and force another punt.
With 1:54 remaining in the half, Kentucky would use it's two-minute offense to drive quickly down the field inside the Penguin red zone. Levis would throw his second touchdown pass as he would find Chris Lewis for the two-yard score to give Kentucky a 21-0 halftime lead.
The score was the first career reception, and touchdown, for Lewis.
Youngstown would get the ball to start the second half and mount their best offensive drive of the game. The Penguins moved quickly got into Kentucky territory but the defense would halt the scoring opportunity when Carrington Valentine broke up a fourth-down pass in the end zone, ending the Youngstown State drive.
On the ensuing possession, Kentucky would drive down the field behind the arm of Levis. Kavosiey Smoke would finish off the drive as he would run to the left corner of the end zone for the touchdown. Ruffolo again added the point after try and Kentucky held a 28-0 with 8:36 left in the third quarter.
Again the Penguins would have another scoring chance on its next drive. Aided by a 64-yard completion from quarterback Demeatric Crenshaw to Jaleel McLaughlin, the Penguins got inside the UK five. But Crenshaw was intercepted by Valentine in the end zone, to preserve the shutout after three quarters.
Ruffolo would add a 23-yard field goal to finalize the score at 31-0.
Kentucky will be in action next week, hosting Northern Illinois at Kroger Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET and the game will be on ESPN2.
Youngstown St. 0 0 0 0 — 0
Kentucky 0 21 7 3 — 31
Second Quarter
UK — Will Levis 1 run (Matt Ruffolo kick), 13:34 UK — Dane Key 3 pass from Will Levis (Matt Ruffolo kick), 6:10 UK — Chris Lewis 2 pass from Will Levis (Matt Ruffolo kick), :20
Third Quarter
UK — Kavosiey Smoke 7 run (Matt Ruffolo kick), 8:36 Fourth Quarter
UK — Matt Ruffolo 15 field goal, 4:54
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