Final: Kentucky 45, Louisiana Monroe 10
Live updates from Kentucky football’s season opener against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks at Kroger Field.
Final: Kentucky 45, ULM 10
Post-game links
Three takeaways from Kentucky’s win over Louisiana Monroe
Kentucky rolls with the deep ball in successful opener
Kentucky’s offense: What worked, what didn’t and what’s ahead
Wan’Dale Robinson delivers the goods
Five things you need to know from Kentucky’s win
Note: UK quarterback Will Levis was 11-of-16 passing for 247 yards and three touchdowns and one interception in the first half. Levis left the game in the fourth quarter with 18 completions on 26 attempts for 367 yards and four TDs with that one interception.
Note: UK’s Chris Rodriguez has 125 yards rushing on 19 carries. It’s his seventh career 100-yard rushing game.
Note: Josh Ali caught five passes for 136 yards and one touchdown. Wan’Dale Robinson caught five passes for 125 yards and two scores.
Scoring summary
ULM 7, Kentucky 0 - The Warhawks’ Jabari Johnson intercepted a throw by Kentucky quarterback Will Levis at the UK 43 on the Wildcats’ first series. The Kentucky defense held, but a hands-to-the-face penalty on Abule Abadi-Fitzgerald wiped out a 41-yard field goal. ULM took the penalty and continued the march for the score with Kadyn Roach scoring on a three-yard run with 8:53 left in the first quarter.
Kentucky 7 ULM 7 - After the visitors’ score, Kentucky bounced back with a five-play, 84-yard touchdown drive. The score came on a pretty Levis 33-yard strike to a wide open Wan’Dale Robinson in left corner of the end zone with 6:13 left in the first quarter. After throwing an interception on the first drive, Levis was two-for-two for 52 yards on the second.
Former Western Hills star Wan’Dale Robinson transferring to Kentucky
Kentucky 14, ULM 7 - First play of UK’s third series, Levis throws another bomb, this one to Josh Ali for a 58-yard score. That’s back-to-back bombs for scores. UK has turned a touchdown deficit into a touchdown lead with 4:20 left in the first quarter.
Kentucky 21, ULM 7 - In a throwback drive, the Cats marched 83 yards in 14 plays to take a two-touchdown lead. Chris Rodriguez did the honors from two yards out. Levis is now 6-of-10 passing for 148 yards and two TDs with one interception. Rodriguez has carried the ball 11 times for 59 yards and a score. There’s 10:40 left in the first half.
Kentucky 28, ULM 7 - Levis goes long again, this time 62 yards to Robinson, who does not go down easily but is finally coaralled at the ULM 18. Three plays later, Levis hits Robinson with a slant pass and the former Western Hills star pinballs his way into the end zone with 5:44 left in the first half. That’s three TD passes for Levis. Second score for Robinson.
Kentucky 31, ULM 7 - A 57-yard pass from Levis to Isaiah Epps set up a 45-yard field goal by Matt Ruffalo with 3:54 left in the third quarter. Levis is now Kentucky’s first quarterback to throw over 300 yards in a game since Stephen Johnson against Louisville in 2016.
Stats at end of three quarters
Kentucky 38, ULM 7 - Levis gets it done again through the air, hitting Ali for 24 yards and Epps for 21 more. A four-yard pass to tight end Brenden Bates puts six more points on the board. It’s the fourth TD pass for Levis on the day. It’s Bates first career touchdown catch. Kentucky lead now 31 points with 13:07 left in the game.
Kentucky 38, ULM 10 - The visitors get back on the board thanks to a 29-yard field goal by Calum Sutherland with 4:39 left in the game. The scoring drive covered 48 yards and was helped by a roughing the passer call on UK’s Marquez Bembry. It also followed the Wildcats’ third turnover of the day when quarterback Beau Allen lost the ball on a strip sack.
Kentucky 45, ULM 10 - Allen rebounded from his fumble to direct a 68-yard scoring drive. A 31-yard pass to freshman tight end Jordan Dingle helped. Nice grab by Dingle, by the way. Michael Drennen scored the touchdown on a five-yard run with 1:00 left. It was Drennen’s first career TD.
Date: Sept. 4, 2021.
Kickoff: Noon.
TV: SEC Network with Tyler Zarzour, Matt Stinchcomb and Alyssa Lang.
Radio: UK Network with Tom Leach, Jeff Piecoro and Dick Gabriel.
Coaches: Kentucky-Mark Stoops (49-50); ULM-Terry Bowden (0-0 at ULM/175-114-2 overall).
Series: Kentucky leads 4-1.
Last meeting: Kentucky 48, ULM 14 on Oct. 11, 2014.
Pregame links:
The John Clay Podcast: UK-ULM football preview
Big Blue Preview: UK-ULM football
UK-ULM predictions: Do Wildcats flash fry or slow cook Warhawks?
Five things to know about the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks
How to watch, where to follow Kentucky vs. Louisiana Monroe
How Kentucky-Louisiana Monroe match up -- with a game prediction
The John Clay Podcast: An interview with ULM Coach Terry Bowden
Ex-Cat Terry Wilson matches career touchdown mark in debut for New Mexico
‘Go hire Mark Stoops.’ Could Kentucky coach replace Scott Frost at Nebraska?
‘An SEC contender.’ Terry Bowden sings Kentucky’s praises ahead of season opener.
