Where Kentucky's team stats rank nationally through three games

Three weeks into the 2022 season, Kentucky sits firmly as a top-ten team in college football. Three games, three double-digit wins, with the Wildcats covering the spread in all three victories. It hasn’t always been pretty, but a combined score of 94-29 in three games speaks for itself.

How did Kentucky get there? What’s separating the Wildcats from the pack in not only the SEC, but the entire nation? Let’s dive into the numbers.

The Positives (Offense)

Led by quarterback Will Levis, Kentucky is putting points on the board through the air. The team’s passing numbers are strong, specifically from an efficiency standpoint. UK is also controlling time of possession extremely well, sitting in second in the conference.

• No. 19 nationally in yards per completion (14.46) and No. 15 in yards per attempt (9.69)
• No. 20 in time of possession with an average of 33 minutes per game, good for No. 2 in the SEC
• Tied for No. 25 in the nation with one fumble lost in three games
• Tied for No. 27 in passing offense with 294.0 yards per game, good for No. 4 in the SEC.
• No. 30 in the nation in passing efficiency at 161.42 overall, good for No. 5 in the SEC
• Tied for No. 33 in fewest penalties with 16, including tied for No. 18 overall and No. 1 in the SEC in fewest penalty yards with 114
• No. 38 overall in completion percentage at 67.0 percent, No. 6 in the SEC

The Negatives (Offense)

The passing numbers are solid, but just about everything else the offense is doing is below-average at this point. Rushing and blocking numbers are poor, and the team’s overall efficiency leaves much to be desired.

• Tied for No. 75 in points per game with 31.3 per game and 94 overall, good for No. 10 in the SEC
• Tied for No. 76 in the nation with 63 total first downs, including 40 through the air, 17 on the ground and six via penalty
• Tied for No. 82 in red zone offense with 13 scores in 16 attempts (81.2 percent), including eight touchdowns and five field goals made
• Tied for No. 82 in the nation in 3rd down conversions with 12 on 32 attempts, good for 37.5 percent
• No. 92 in total offense with 368.3 yards per contest and nine total touchdowns scored
• Tied for No. 98 in tackles for loss allowed with 6.33 per game and 19 overall on the year
• Tied for No. 103 in passes intercepted with four on 91 total attempts
• No. 122 in the nation in rushing yards with 74.3 yards per game and 2.23 yards per attempt
• Tied for No. 125 in the nation sacks allowed with 3.67 per game and 11 overall on the year
• Tied for last in 4th down conversions with zero on two attempts, one of 13 teams without a conversion

The Positives (Defense)

As for the defense, it’s clearly one of the best units in college football. Passing coverage has been absurd, and the run defense hasn’t been anything to scoff at, either. Overall, the Wildcats have done an impeccable job keeping opposing offenses out of the end zone — and from earning first downs, at that.

• No. 1 in passing touchdowns allowed with zero
• No. 3 in 3rd down defense, allowing opponents to convert on just seven of 40 attempts (17.5 percent)
• No. 8 in defensive passing efficiency at 84.95, good for No. 1 in the SEC
• Tied for No. 10 in defensive touchdowns with one on a pick-six, tied for No. 2 in the SEC
• No. 12 in the nation in total passing yards allowed at 152.0, good for No. 2 in the SEC
• Tied for No. 12 in scoring defense with 9.67 points allowed per game and 29 points allowed overall
• Tied for No. 12 in first downs allowed with 38 overall — 23 through the air, 11 on the ground, four via penalty — good for No. 1 in the SEC
• No. 15 in total defense with 253.7 yards allowed per game and two touchdowns allowed overall
• Tied for No. 15 in red zone defense with two scores allowed on three attempts, but only one touchdown
• No. 37 in the nation in rushing defense with 101.7 yards allowed per game and 3.63 yards allowed per rush
• Tied for No. 42 in the nation with three interceptions, including one pick-six

The Negatives (Defense)

As for the bad, there’s not much to complain about. Kentucky can be more disruptive in the backfield with more tackles for loss and force more turnovers, but you’re getting nitpicky at that point.

• Tied for No. 59 overall in 4th down defense, allowing four conversions in nine tries, good for 44.4 percent
• Tied for No. 67 in sacks per contest with 2.0 per game and six overall on the year
• Tied for No. 80 in turnover margin at -1 on the year (-0.33 per game)
• Tied for No. 83 in the nation with one fumble recovered in three games
• Tied for No. 100 in tackles for loss per game with 4.3 per game and 13 overall on the year

The Positives (Special Teams)

The Wildcats have been tremendous on special teams, both as defenders and returners. And to put the icing on the cake, Matt Ruffolo is taking care of business as a kicker.

• Tied for No. 1 in blocked kicks allowed, allowing zero in three games
• Tied for No. 1 in blocked punts allowed, allowing zero in 10 total attempts
• No. 2 in the nation in kickoff returns with 60.50 yards per return and one touchdown in two total returns
• Tied for No. 3 in blocked punts, blocking two punts in 18 total attempts from the opposition
• Tied for No. 4 in blocked kicks, blocking two total in three games
• Tied for No. 34 in field goal conversions at 85.7 percent (6/7

The Negatives (Special Teams)

The bad? Nothing major. Punting could improve and Tayvion Robinson is due in the return game, but fine overall.

• Tied for No. 44 in punt return defense with 3.0 yards allowed per return
• No. 60 in the nation in kickoff return defense with 19.17 yards allowed per return (115 yards overall)
• No. 84 in the nation in punt return average with 6.38 yards per return and 51 return yards overall

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All in all, the numbers have backed up the grips of Stoops and his staff this week. The offense could use a big game against Northern Illinois on Saturday.