Kentucky's defense did what it needed to make sure the Cats came out with a Gator Bowl win over North Carolina State Saturday. (Vicky Graff Photo)
It was a game Kentucky had a chance to dominate, but didn’t. It was a game where Kentucky’s offense could have had its way with a North Carolina State defense missing its four best defensive players, but didn’t.
It was a game where the Cats could have helped themselves but avoiding silly penalties, but didn’t.
It was also a game Kentucky could have lost, but didn’t because it’s defense kept coming up with big plays at just the right time.
Kentucky squandered most of a 13-0 halftime lead — that should have been bigger — in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl in Jacksonville Saturday before outlasting North Carolina State 23-21.
Kentucky’s defense limited North Carolina State to 318 yards and picked off three passes to set up UK touchdowns and secure the win. It was UK’s third straight bowl in its fifth straight bowl trip — something only five other SEC teams can match.
“It just shows the guys get recruited here stick to the program and where the program wants to go,” said UK senior running back A.J. Rose, who ran for 148 yards on only 12 carries. “Coach (Mark) Stoops is doing an amazing job and recurring players who want to be here and contribute to the team.
“This was a great win. I am ecstatic right now and can’t put it into words.”
Part of that — okay maybe a lot of that — was because of the emotional toll this season had. Not only did UK face COVID-19 protocols daily while playing a 10-game SEC schedule for the first time, but linebacker Chris Oats was lost for the season due to an offseason medical issue and offensive line coach John Schlarman passed midway of the season from his battle with cancer. Not to mention that offensive coordinator Eddie Gran and quarterbacks coach Darrin Hinshaw were both fired after the 4-6 regular season.
Stoops said it was “very important” to end this emotional season with a win despite the penalties and mental mistakes his team made.
“It has been well documented the toll (COVID) has taken on players across the country. Still laying it on the line (in the bowl game) says an awful lot,” the UK coach said. “Chris Oats, John Schlarman memories were on our ind and wishing they were with us but it was great to cap off the season with a great victory.”
Recruiting coordinator Vince Marrow called the offense but it did not dramatically change as UK still had no downfield passing game. Quarterback Terry Wilson was 12 of 20 passing for only 99 yards. He missed an open receiver in the end zone in the first half and a UK penalty wiped out the one TD pass he did throw.
North Carolina State loaded the line with defenders more and more as the game progressed but UK still managed 281 yards rushing. Chris Rodriguez powered his way for 84 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries but was tackled for a loss twice — something that had not happened in his previous 100 carries. Kavosiey Smoke also added 45 yards.
North Carolina State coach Dave Doreen said he was worried about playing without “four good run defenders” but was okay with how his defense played.
“It’s not that we stopped the run but we did enough to give ourselves a chance to win,” he said.
But the UK defense did the same to negate UK’s woeful passing attack — Kentucky had more penalty yards, 103, than passing yards, 99 — because of interceptions by Jamin Davis, Brandin Echols and Yusuf Corker.
“In the back of my mind we just wanted to refuse to lose. Just not let nobody take it from us,” Davis, who also had 13 tackles, said. “That’s been preached to us all year. Just keep playing and ice the game.”
So while it might not have been pretty, it was a win to end a stress-filled season and create some momentum for the 2021 season.
