Three Plays: Kentucky creates its own luck against Iowa in fourth quarter

In front of 50,769 people at Camping World Stadium, Kentucky had a rough second half against Iowa at the Citrus Bowl. Despite multiple things going wrong, the Wildcats found a way to get things ramped up in the final quarter.

Thanks to some explosive playmaking and key defensive plays, Kentucky leaves Florida with 10 victories after a 20-17 win over No. 15 Iowa.

KSR has the plays the ultimately made the difference in the Citrus Bowl.

Short-yardage stop

On fourth-and-10 from the Iowa 46, Mark Stoops decided to roll the dice with four minutes remaining in the game. After a Will Levis incompletion, Iowa was just one first down away from putting the game on ice.

Following consecutive runs, Iowa faced a third-and-one at their own 45. Kentucky somehow found a way to get a stop.

Redshirt senior Tyrell Ajian does a good job disguising the safety blitz and shoots the gap on the snap. Although not getting the full tackle, Ajian slows down Gavin Williams just enough to create a run stuff.

After not falling for a dummy count and fourth down, Iowa punts the ball away to give Kentucky one final chance at stealing a victory. The stop by Ajian got the momentum going into Kentucky’s favor late in the fourth quarter.

Wan’Dale Robinson gets loose

After reeling in a tough 17-yard reception to get the final drive rolling on third-and-10, Kentucky was approaching midfield with the clock approaching two minutes.

With just one play over 20-plus yards for the game, Kentucky could desperately use a splash play. The No. 1 receiver delivered the fireworks.

On the sail concept, Wan’Dale Robinson finds a soft spot in Iowa’s zone defense and Will Levis puts the ball on him. After some electrifying moves, Kentucky has a gain of 52 yards and a first-and-goal at the Iowa one.

One play later, Chris Rodriguez Jr. scores the game-winning touchdown. When in doubt, Kentucky went to Robinson and the program’s superstar delivered the goods.

Pressure creates takeaway for Kentucky

Following the touchdown, Iowa got the ball back on their own 25 with 1:48 left in the game. However, placekicker Caleb Shudak has range from 50-plus in a three-point game. A few first downs were all the Hawks needed.

After a few completions, Iowa had the ball at the Kentucky 40. On second-and-medium, defensive coordinator Brad White goes with a simulated pressure that has redshirt senior safety Yusuf Corker rushing from the edge. That turned out to be an excellent call.

Iowa’s left tackle does not get to Corker, and Kentucky has a free runner on Spencer Petras. Corker gets to the quarterback and forces an errant throw. Playing zone coverage, Will linebacker DeAndre Square gets his eyes on the football and comes away with a diving interception.

Iowa was just a few yards away from field goal range, but a perfect call and tremendous play allowed Kentucky to secure the Citrus Bowl win.

After a hot start, things cooled off quickly for Kentucky against Iowa. However, the Wildcats just kept playing. Then, a few experienced veterans made some key fourth quarter plays, and the Wildcats ended the day at Camping World Stadium with another trophy to bring back to Lexington.

Winning double-digit games is pretty fun. Kentucky should do this more often.