KSR Today: Kentucky football 3-0 following first shutout since 2009

Good morning, folks! The Kentucky Wildcats are 3-0 to start the 2022 season after a 31-0 shutout (the program’s first since 2009) of the Youngstown State Penguins. The performance was hardly a perfect showing from the ‘Cats, with offensive line issues creeping up to the forefront once again. But Will Levis made plenty of NFL-esque throws, Dane Key has all the makings of a future superstar, and Carrington Valentine continues to prove week-by-week just how important he is to the secondary. The entire Kentucky defense is playing like one of the best units in the nation.

KSR’s Freddie Maggard has spent the morning tweeting out all of UK’s national rankings — some good, some bad. Among the most notable, in my opinion, are how Valentine ranks first in the SEC and the nation in passes defended with seven; how the offensive line has allowed the most sacks in the SEC with 11, and how UK is first in the SEC when it comes to opponent’s plays after converting third downs.

The win was extra special for head coach Mark Stoops, associate head coach Vince Marrow, and safeties coach Frank Buffano, who are all from the Youngstown, OH area. I wouldn’t be shocked to hear that the party is still going hours into Sunday morning. Stoops set the program record for wins a week ago after beating Florida on the road and then got to celebrate with his friends and family in Lexington seven days later. Not a bad stretch.

Looking ahead, Kentucky will host another inferior opponent next Saturday at Kroger Field when Northern Illinois comes to town. The Huskies are 1-2 on the season after falling to Vanderbilt 38-28 on Saturday. NIU starting QB Rocky Lombardi (badass name) left the loss to Vandy with a still undisclosed injury. A win for Kentucky next week would put them at 4-0 with a Week 5 matchup on the road against a ranked Ole Miss squad.

But before we get too ahead of ourselves, let’s bask in Saturday’s win for a little bit longer. Check out all of KSR’s postgame content below.

• Kentucky Football Shuts Out Youngstown State 31-0
• Kentucky-Youngstown State: Box Score, Team Stats, and Player Stats
• Stoops doesn’t believe J.J. Weaver’s injury is season-ending
• Mark Stoops on his pregame honor, postgame celebration with family, friends
• Five Things Mark Stoops Said About His Football Team
• Three Plays: Tavyion Robinson, Carrington Valentine make big impact
• Rich Scangarello Disappointed in Clunky Kentucky Offensive Performance
• Resilient Carrington Valentine Stepped Up to Shut Out Youngstown State
• Dane Key tied a Kentucky Football freshman record today
• Defense dominates, passing game erupts in Kentucky’s shutout win

Highlights

Photo Gallery

KSR’s Rapid Reactions

Postgame interviews

Mark Stoops

Brad White

Rich Scangarello

Will Levis

Carrington Valentine

Dane Key

Keaten Wade

UK Healthcare under investigation

The story surrounding Chris Rodriguez and Jordan Wright’s suspensions is beginning to come to light. Documents obtained by the Herald-Leader’s Jon Hale reveal the University of Kentucky launched an investigation in February into members of the Kentucky football team for allegedly filing inaccurate time cards while working for UK HealthCare.

The names of the players are redacted in the open records request, citing privacy law. However, the Herald-Leader’s report notes that two players, in particular, were under investigation. Wright was sidelined for the season-opener and Rodriguez will miss a total of four games before he’s cleared to return to play. Mark Stoops declined to provide details on the suspension but made it clear it was out of his control.

KSR’s Matt Jones explained the situation in-depth during the Pregame Show on Sunday.

‘Cats in the NFL: Week 2

Week 2 of the 2022 NFL season is upon us and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to watch your favorite former ‘Cats suit up throughout the day. Check out today’s schedule below.

1:00 PM EST

• New York Jets (B. Echols) @ Cleveland Browns | CBS
• Washington Commanders (J. Davis, J. Toth) @ Detroit Lions (J. Paschal, L. Stenberg) | FOX
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ New Orleans Saints (L. Young) | FOX
• Carolina Panthers (P. Hoskins, M. McCall) @ New York Giants (W. Robinson) | FOX
• New England Patriots (L. Bowden) @ Pittsburgh Steelers | CBS
• Indianapolis Colts @ Jacksonville Jaguars (J. Allen, L. Fortner, C. Peters) | CBS
• Miami Dolphins @ Baltimore Ravens | CBS

4:05 PM EST

• Atlanta Falcons (J. Ali) @ Los Angeles Rams (TJ Carter) | FOX
• Seattle Seahawks (Q. Mosely) @ San Fransisco 49ers | FOX
• Cincinnati Bengals (Y. Corker) @ Dallas Cowboys (Q. Bohanna, K. Joseph) | CBS
• Houston Texans @ Denver Broncos | CBS
• Arizona Cardinals @ Las Vegas Raiders | CBS

8:20 PM EST

• Chicago Bears @ Green Bay Packers (R. Cobb) | NBC

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That’s all the news and notes I have for you this morning. The updated national polls should come out later today, too. Where do we think No. 9 Kentucky lands after Saturday’s victory?