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NMEXST |
UK |
Levis throws 4 TDs, Kentucky beats New Mexico State 56-16
LEXINGTON, Ky (AP) Will Levis' final home game this season was much like his September debut: lots of yardage and explosive plays that more than offset his miscues.
Levis overcame an early fumble and an interception to throw for four touchdowns and a career-high 419 yards as Kentucky cruised past New Mexico State 56-16 in Saturday's home finale.
''That's the first time in my college career (throwing for more than 400 yards), which is cool,'' Levis said. ''But we still have a lot of things to clean up, and it could have and should have been more.''
The Wildcats (8-3) earned their 14th consecutive nonconference victory behind Levis, who completed 21 of 31 passes to become the first Kentucky quarterback to surpass 400 yards since Andre Woodson against Tennessee in 2007. Things didn't start so well for the junior QB, who couldn't corral a high snap on the first series and fumbled, which Trevor Brohard ultimately returned 25 yards to give the Aggies a 7-0 lead.
Kentucky outscored NMSU 56-9 from there, including Quandre Mosley's 38-yard interception return to make it 14-7. Levis threw touchdown passes of 32 and 2 yards to Justin Riggs and 9 and 62 yards to Josh Ali.
Wan'Dale Robinson had eight receptions for a career-high 181 yards and became Kentucky's first 1,000-yard receiver under coach Mark Stoops. Chris Rodriguez Jr. overcame a fumble - one of three by the Wildcats - inside the Aggies' 5 to rush for 119 yards on 16 carries with a touchdown as the Wildcats rolled up a season-high 707 yards.
The Aggies (1-10) did move the ball effectively at times, but settled for three Ethan Albertson field goals before halftime. New Mexico State managed just 282 yards with just 101 on the ground.
''Today was the same effort that we've seen all season,'' Aggies coach Doug Martin said ''Our players are fighting as hard as they can and giving great effort. They're a great group of kids and have great spirit about them. We're just not quite talented enough yet coming off last season.''
Though Kentucky controlled the game offensively and led 35-16 at the half, Stoops challenged his team to put the game away.
''I wanted to see some younger players in the game,'' he said. ''I wanted to see some guys that have been around here a long time and that may be playing their last game in this stadium and they deserved to get reps.''
Kentucky shut out the Aggies in the second half with reserves getting in the game including quarterback Beau Allen, who scored on a 3-yard run.
TURNOVER BUG RETURNS
All told, Kentucky had four turnovers in addition to Levis' interception. Stoops said putting the ball on the ground was a concern that can't happen next week at rival Louisville.
Of Rodriguez, Stoops said, ''That's unacceptable because he is a better player than that. Chris has been practicing really well. There's no excuse for fumbles. But I know he will get it corrected.''
THE TAKEAWAY
New Mexico State: The Aggies' second consecutive Southeastern Conference opponent ended with them allowing more than 50 points again. Jonah Johnson completed 16 of 35 for 181 yards with an interception.
Kentucky: Wildcats seniors contributed several big plays on what was likely their final home game. In addition to Riggs' two scoring catches, Ali had seven catches for 164 yards. Josh Paschal had six tackles, including a sack and 1.5 tackles for loss. Rodriguez posted his seventh 100-yard rushing game this season and 13th of his career.
UP NEXT
New Mexico State hosts UMass in its season finale on Saturday.
Kentucky visits in-state rival Louisville on Saturday in the annual Governor's Cup game.
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J. Johnson
10 QB 181 PaYds, INT, 25 RuYds |
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W. Levis
7 QB 419 PaYds, 4 PaTDs, INT, 6 RuYds |
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
1st Downs | 14 | 29 |
Rushing | 5 | 11 |
Passing | 7 | 16 |
Penalty | 2 | 2 |
3rd Down Conv | 4-16 | 6-9 |
4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-1 |
Total Net Yards | 278 | 708 |
Total Plays | 61 | 71 |
Avg Gain | 4.6 | 10.0 |
Net Yards Rushing | 97 | 249 |
Rush Attempts | 26 | 36 |
Avg Rush Yards | 3.7 | 6.9 |
Yards Passing | 181 | 459 |
Comp. - Att. | 16-35 | 24-35 |
Yards Per Pass | 4.6 | 12.6 |
Penalties - Yards | 4-40 | 7-69 |
Touchdowns | 0 | 8 |
Rushing TDs | 0 | 3 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 4 |
Other | 0 | 1 |
Turnovers | 2 | 3 |
Fumbles - Lost | 2-1 | 3-2 |
Int. Thrown | 1 | 1 |
Punts - Avg | 10-40.8 | 2-33.5 |
Return Yards | -30 | 64 |
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 5-32 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 1--30 | 1-32 |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
|
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
J. Johnson
10 QB
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J. Johnson | 16/35 | 181 | 0 | 1 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
J. Price
9 RB
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J. Price | 11 | 51 | 0 | 22 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Johnson
10 QB
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J. Johnson | 9 | 25 | 0 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Escobar
21 RB
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A. Escobar | 5 | 15 | 0 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||
I. Garcia-Castaneda
2 WR
|
I. Garcia-Castaneda | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
J. Powers
6 WR
|
J. Powers | 3 | 1 | 41 | 0 | 41 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
I. Garcia-Castaneda
2 WR
|
I. Garcia-Castaneda | 6 | 2 | 33 | 0 | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
P. Johnson III
22 WR
|
P. Johnson III | 2 | 2 | 28 | 0 | 26 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Bodison
11 WR
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A. Bodison | 2 | 2 | 25 | 0 | 19 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Escobar
21 RB
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A. Escobar | 3 | 3 | 24 | 0 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Wyatt
1 WR
|
J. Wyatt | 5 | 1 | 17 | 0 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Price
9 RB
|
J. Price | 8 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Warner
7 WR
|
T. Warner | 2 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
S. Rascon
82 WR
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S. Rascon | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Whitford
85 TE
|
T. Whitford | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
D. McCullough
7 DB
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D. McCullough | 7-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. Giacolone
24 LB
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N. Giacolone | 5-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Mills
12 DB
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C. Mills | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Brohard
80 LB
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T. Brohard | 4-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. Bishop
96 DL
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G. Bishop | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Dumas
13 DB
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S. Dumas | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Dervil
5 QB
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J. Dervil | 2-0 | 0.0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Ojoh
3 LB
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C. Ojoh | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Bowles
23 LB
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D. Bowles | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Early
28 DB
|
D. Early | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Bowe Jr.
6 LB
|
M. Bowe Jr. | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
I. Escobar
55 DL
|
I. Escobar | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. Williams
10 DL
|
L. Williams | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. Bailey
19 LB
|
L. Bailey | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. King
26 DL
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D. King | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Ellis-Dennard
47 LB
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D. Ellis-Dennard | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
E. Albertson
84 K
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E. Albertson | 3/3 | 50 | 1/1 | 10 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
J. Carlson
35 P
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J. Carlson | 10 | 40.8 | 3 | 52 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
J. Price
9 RB
|
J. Price | 3 | 20.7 | 28 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
C. Rodriguez Jr.
24 RB
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C. Rodriguez Jr. | 16 | 119 | 1 | 29 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. Wright
29 RB
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L. Wright | 6 | 75 | 0 | 52 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Smoke
0 RB
|
K. Smoke | 3 | 35 | 1 | 23 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Markray
32 RB
|
T. Markray | 2 | 10 | 0 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||
W. Levis
7 QB
|
W. Levis | 5 | 6 | 0 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Allen
11 QB
|
B. Allen | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. McClain
17 RB
|
J. McClain | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
W. Robinson
1 WR
|
W. Robinson | 10 | 8 | 181 | 0 | 79 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Ali
6 WR
|
J. Ali | 10 | 7 | 164 | 2 | 62 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Harris
86 WR
|
D. Harris | 4 | 3 | 37 | 0 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Rigg
83 TE
|
J. Rigg | 2 | 2 | 34 | 2 | 32 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Dingle
85 TE
|
J. Dingle | 1 | 1 | 23 | 0 | 23 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
I. Epps
81 WR
|
I. Epps | 1 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. McClain
17 RB
|
J. McClain | 1 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
B. Bates
80 TE
|
B. Bates | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
R. Lewis
19 WR
|