Kentucky's Offense Takes Flight in 45-10 Win over ULM

It’s safe to say Liam Coen has given Kentucky’s offense a facelift. With Will Levis under center the Wildcats threw for four touchdowns in a 45-10 win over Louisiana Monroe in the 2021 season-opening game at Kroger Field.

The victory is Mark Stoops’ 50th as a head coach. Kentucky has now won 12 straight non-conference games, dating back to the Cats’ 2017 Music City Bowl.

Kentucky’s offense exceeded expectations by racking up 564 yards of offense, 419 through the air, despite a shaky start. While the attention was primarily focused on Coen’s formations and play-calling, the defense dominated ULM, holding Rich Rodriguez’s Warhawks to just 10 yards rushing on 40 attempts. Brad White’s unit recorded 13 tackles for loss and six sacks, answering the preseason pass rushing questions.

Slow, Shaky Start

Levis’ first pass as a Wildcat was an interception. Josh Ali could not hold onto the quick slant. ULM corraled the tipped-pass to gain possession in UK territory.

The UK defense did not immediately respond. Kentucky allowed consecutive third-and-a-mile conversions before ultimately forcing a field goal. Three points were taken off the board by a UK ‘illegal hands to the face’ flag, giving ULM a first down. The Warhawks scored three plays later to take a 7-0 lead, ULM’s first lead since the 2019 season.

Kentucky’s Offense goes Aerial

It did not take long for Coen to kick Kentucky’s offense into shape. The first reception of Wan’Dale Robinson’s career was a 33-yard touchdown reception. On the first play of the next UK drive, Levis dropped a 58-yard bomb into Josh Ali’s breadbasket for a score.

Ali and Robinson each surpassed the 100-yard receiving mark in the first half. Isaiah Epps reeled in a 57-yard reception in the third quarter, giving UK three 50+ yards receptions. Kentucky had just four 50+ yard completions over the last three seasons.

Robinson finished his UK debut with two touchdowns and 125 yards on five receptions, while Ali recorded a career-high 136 yards on five catches.

The wide receivers did not have all of the fun. Brenden Bates was the first tight end to get into the end zone, scoring his first touchdown as a Wildcat. Mike Drennen also got in on the fun late, rushing for his first career touchdown to secure the UK cover.

Defensive Stars Shine

Josh Paschal was a man possessed. The captain had seven tackles, two for loss and a sack. There were one or two “almosts” sprinkled in there as well, finishing the play a hair away from a few more sack lunches. The Paschal hype is real.

Yusuf Corker brought the havoc as well, recording UK’s first sack of the year on a safety blitz. He also had two pass break-ups, one of which looked like a draft night highlight.

Wearing Chris Oats’ No. 22, DeAndre Square flew all over the field. The linebacker led Kentucky with 3.5 tackles for loss.

J.J. Weaver did not look like a player just returning from injury. The Louisville Moore product had two sacks in his first game since tearing his ACL in November of 2020. Jordan Wright had a solid afternoon too, picking up two TFLs and a sack.

Box Score