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Three Things To Watch and TV Info for in Kentucky vs. Missouri

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UK Athletics

Coming off a blowout loss at No. 1 Tennessee, Kentucky is looking to avoid a losing streak on the road against a frisky Missouri team.

Missouri coming off a very good win at No. 25 South Carolina, and the momentum on their side. The Tigers are looking to continue it with a win against a Kentucky team who has had their number for the most part since Stoops arrived at Kentucky, winning 6 out of the last 7 against the Tigers.

This year, however, the stats of these teams are very similar showing two teams with solid defenses and struggling offenses. They are both averaging 23.9 points per game while giving up about 20 points per game.

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Both defenses give up an average of 310 yards per game, with the bulk of that coming through the air. Contrary to that, both offenses have leaned toward the passing game, but are capable of running the ball as well.

Given their similarities, let’s look at some things to watch for and could decide the game on Saturday.

Can the defense play through injuries?

Giving up 44 points to an explosive Tennessee offense, it is fair to say the defense struggled last week, despite only giving up 7 in the first quarter.

This week, Kentucky will have to be able to stop the run, but that becomes more challenging as they will likely be without their two senior starting linebackers Jacquez Jones and Deandre Square.

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Without the two captains of the defense, Kentucky might struggle, especially early in the game. If sophomore Trevin Wallace can step in and contribute in Square’s place on Saturday, in what should be a low-scoring game, that would be big for the Wildcats.

The biggest question will be if Kentucky can get off the field on third down after struggling to do last week, allowing the Volunteers to convert on five of their twelve opportunities.

Can Kentucky move the ball?

Kentucky is coming off their worst offensive performance of the season, scoring just 6 points on a total of 205 yards against one of the worst defenses in the country.

This week, Kentucky must improve and move the ball downfield.

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Kentucky has the playmakers at wide receiver to be able to move the ball, but they have not been effective in the passing game since early in the season. With that said, the offensive line needs to be able to protect Levis long enough to be able to maintain a downfield passing game.

Running the ball effectively would certainly help the passing game by allowing the Wildcats to create opportunities for Levis and the receivers. However, Rodriguez’s status for Saturday is TBD determined after Stoops confirmed he suffered an injury in last weekend’s loss.

The biggest question for the offense in recent weeks has been the play calling of Scangarello and the conservative nature of it. Will Scangarello and Stoops open up the playbook and allow Levis to throw the ball downfield?

If Levis can get going in this game it will help build some much-needed momentum.

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Can Kentucky limit the special teams mistakes?

Despite not being an area to typically focus on, Kentucky has been killed in the kicking game this season whether it be bad snaps, bad kicks, or just bad luck.

Leaving a number amount of points on the field this season due to special teams errors is not a recipe for success and could be attributed to the Ole Miss loss. In a game where points may be at a premium, the Wildcats will need every point they can get.


With a likely loss to Georgia, this game will decide if Kentucky can still finish 8-4 in the regular season.

TV Info

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Time/Date: 12:00 pm ET on Saturday, November 5th, 2022
Location: Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri
TV Channel: SEC Network
Online Stream: WatchESPNESPN+, or the ESPN app
Radio: Tom Leach and Jeff Piecoro have the UK radio network call on 630AM, 98.1 FM in Lexington, and the UK Sports Network.
Replay: WatchESPN and SEC Network (check local listings).
Rosters: UK | Mizzou
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Louisville Football Player Charged With First-Degree Strangulation, Days After Committing Game Losing Personal Foul

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Louisville Cardinals defensive back Tayon Holloway (20) reacts to his defensive play.
Eric Canha | Imagn

On Monday, Louisville football defensive back Tayon Holloway was detained and charged with first-degree strangulation and fourth-degree assault.

This comes just days after the former four-star prospect committed a costly personal foul to put a 2-7 Stanford team in field goal range and upset Louosillve 38-35 with a walk-off field goal.

As expected, Holloway has been indefinitely suspended from the team.

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“The University of Louisville is aware of the arrest of football student-athlete Tayon Holloway,” the university said in a statement. “As we gather more information, Tayon has been suspended indefinitely from all team activities.”

Things Cardinals seem to be in a downward trend as the Commonwealth Cup nears, November 30th.

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Kentucky snaps four game losing streak defeats Murray State 48-6

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Kentucky football coach Mark Stoops talking to Murray State football coach Jody Wright.
Jordan Prather | Imagn

Kentucky gets a much-needed victory over Murray St 48-6 to snap its four-game losing Streak. Brock Vandagriff led the way for the Cats, going 12-19 for 183 passing yards and two touchdown passes to Hardley Gilmore IV and Ja’Mori Maclin. 48 Points is the most points Kentucky has scored in a game since 2021 when the Cats scored 51 points against Louisville.

The defense held Murray St. without a touchdown. For the second time this season, Kentucky’s defense has held an opponent without a touchdown.

Freshman Standout today:

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For the second time this season, Kentucky breaks the 40-point mark as three freshmen make impacts for Kentucky. Jamarion Wilcox had 13 carries and 124 yards with a touchdown in the 3rd quarter.

Receiver Hardley Gilmore IV had two receptions for 72 yards and caught the 52-yard touchdown pass from Brock Vandagriff on the game-opening drive.

Four-star quarterback Cutter Boley started the second half for the Cats, going 10-14 and passing for 130 yards with two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter, both touchdown passes to sophomore receiver Anthony Brown-Stephens.

Defense Bounces Back:

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After giving up over 475 yards of total offense each of the last three games, Kentucky’s defense holds Murray State to 256 total yards of offense while also having three takeaways from the Murray State offense

Defensive Lineman Tre’vonn Rybka led the way for the defense with five tackles and the only sack of the game for Kentucky’s defense. Jordan Lovett had two takeaways in the first half for Kentucky and one in the red zone in the second quarter. Jackson Schultz had the final takeaway, picking off Jim Ogle’s pass late in the fourth quarter.

Box Score

With the win today over Murray St., Kentucky moves to 4-6 (1-6 SEC) with two games remaining. They look to keep their bowl eligibility alive as they travel to Austin, Texas, and face the No. 3 ranked Texas Longhorns at 3:30 pm on ABC. 

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Mark Stoops Responds to Retirement Rumors, “Zero Percent Chance I Do That”

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Kentucky football coach Mark Stoops responds to retirement rumors amidst disappointing season. "Zero percent chance I do that."
Jordan Prather | Imagn

To say there is unrest in the Kentucky Football fanbase would be an understatement. With a 3-6 record overall, and 1-6 in the SEC (15th out of 16) things look bleak, and there is still a quarter of the season to go. Considering the regression from the previous two seasons as well, it’s difficult to be optimistic about the future.

Over the last few weeks, rumors have circled that head coach Mark Stoops has considered retiring at the end of the season. Optics wise it makes sense, his older brother Bob Stoops surprisingly retired from Oklahoma at just 56, and Mark, now 57, has expressed a desire to spend more time with his children.

At his weekly press conference, Stoops was asked directly if there is any chance that he would walk away from Kentucky and retire at the season. To which he responded, bluntly:

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“Zero percent chance I do that. Next question.”

Mark Stoops is still owed more than $44 million on his contract. That’s A LOT of money to leave on the table and is the reason that the decision will be Stoops’ to make, as Kentucky cannot afford the buyout.

If Stoops holds true to his word and returns next season, NIL fundraising efforts may be the most difficult it has been for him. However, he hopes it sparks motivation to donate.

“I’ve seen it at other SEC schools,” Stoops said. “I want to stay away from that. I really get tired of — I don’t want to be like I am whining, I am crying. It is reality. You have to have dollars.”

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