Oct. 16, 2014
Behind a 5-1 start to a season for the first time since 2007, the Kentucky football team looks to keep its winning ways going this weekend as it travels to Baton Rouge, La., to face the LSU Tigers on Saturday.
 
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| Kentucky at LSU | ||
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| Sat., Oct. 18 – 7:30 p.m. ET Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, La. Gameday Information Game Notes: UK  | LSU |
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| Coverage | ||
| TV: SEC Network Radio: UK Sports Network Live Video via SEC Network+ Live Audio Live Stats Text Updates |
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| UK | 2014 Team Stats | LSU |
| 36.5 | Scoring/game | 34.9 |
| 21.8 | First downs/game | 21.2 |
| 448.5 | Total offense/game | 414.1 |
| 184.2 | Rushing yards/game | 209.1 |
| 264.3 | Passing yards/game | 205.0 |
| 27.6 | Kickoff returns (avg) | 23.0 |
| 8.4 | Punt returns (avg) | 8.6 |
| 41.5 | Punting (avg) | 45.6 |
| 29:33 | Time of possession/game | 33:02 |
| 40% | Third down conversion | 36% |
| 43% | Fourth down conversion | 56% |
| +8 | Turnover margin | +8 |
| 18.7 | Points allowed/game | 19.0 |
| 343.5 | Total yards allowed/game | 333.3 |
| 152.0 | Rush yards allowed/game | 175.6 |
| 191.5 | Pass yards allowed/game | 157.7 |
Kentucky is coming off a come-from-behind 48-14 victory last weekend against ULM, moving the Wildcats to 5-1 for only the seventh time in the modern era of UK football (since 1945). UK’s defense was impressive in the win, returning two interceptions for touchdowns and only allowing ULM 71 yards of total offense in the second half. It was UK’s second consecutive comeback victory.
Offensively, UK had a 100-yard rusher (Stanley “Boom” Williams 104 yards) and 100-yard receiver (Javess Blue 109 yards) in the same game for the first time since 2012. Quarterback Patrick Towles threw for 216 yards in the win and three touchdowns, two to Blue and one to freshman WR Blake Bone.
Cat Scratches: Hostile environment, talented LSU not curbing Cats’ excitement for Tiger Stadium trip
They call it Death Valley for a reason.
Tiger Stadium, no matter who you ask, is among the most difficult places to play in college football. When LSU plays at night, winning becomes becomes an even tougher proposition for visitors.
On Saturday, Kentucky will face exactly that challenge.
But the sense of dread opponents are supposed to have ahead of a trip to Baton Rouge, La., it’s not there for the Wildcats.
“I’m excited about getting down there and really just chalking it up and seeing where we’re at,” quarterback Patrick Towles. “They’re a really good football team. I’m excited for the environment. I’m sure it’s going to be packed.” … read the full preview
Scouting LSU
LSU enters Saturday’s game with a 5-2 record, including a 1-2 mark in SEC play. The Tigers are coming off a dramatic 30-27 victory over Florida in The Swamp last weekend with a 50-yard field goal by Colby Delahoussaye in the final seconds of the game. The Tigers started the season with three straight wins over highly ranked Wisconsin, Sam Houston State and ULM before dropping a home game to then-unranked Mississippi State. LSU responded to the loss against the Bulldogs with a non-conference win over New Mexico State before falling at highly ranked Auburn two weeks ago before its win at Florida last weekend.
Offensively, LSU is scoring 34.9 points per game this season, averaging 209.1 rushing yards per game and 205.0 passing yards per game. The Tigers are led offensively by true freshman running back Leonard Fournette, who has 504 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns this season, while senior running back Kenny Hilliard has 324 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. Overall, the Tigers have 19 rushing touchdowns this season and 12 receiving touchdowns. Quarterbacks Anthony Jennings and Brandon Harris have both seen time this season with Jennings completing 50% of his passes for 928 yards and six touchdowns, while Harris is completing 56.8% of his passes for 452 yards and six touchdowns. Their favorite target this season has been sophomore wide receiver Travin Dural, who has a team-high 24 receptions for 626 yards and six touchdowns. True freshman wide receivers Trey Quinn and Malachi Dupre have played well with Quinn gathering 14 catches for 148 yards, while Dupre has 11 catches for 257 yards and four touchdowns.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Tigers are allowing only 19 points per game, while opponents are rushing for 175.6 per game and passing for 157.7 per game. Junior linebacker Kwon Alexander leads the team in tackles with 46, including 3.5 tackles for loss, four quarterback hurries and two fumbles forced. Junior defensive end Danielle Hunter has 40 tackles with six tackles for loss, one sack and one quarterback hurry. Sophomore defensive back Tre’Davious White has 15 tackles this season, adding two interceptions, three pass breakups and one quarterback hurry, while safety Rickey Jefferson also has two interceptions, including one pass breakup and one quarterback hurry. The Tigers defense has eight interceptions and eight fumble recoveries this season.
