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Northern Illinois at Kentucky

Saturday, September 24, 2022

No. 8 Kentucky beat Northern Illinois 31–⁠23. It was their only meeting on record.

AwayNorthern Illinois3–⁠9 in 2022
23
Home8Kentucky7–⁠6 in 2022
31

Final at Kroger Field, LexingtonTV: ESPN2Attendance 61,579

At kickoff
72°F, clear, wind 8 mph from the southwestWeather: NOAA NCEI Integrated Surface Database; Blue Grass Airport (KLEX), 9 km from the stadium, six minutes before kickoff
Official
Steve MarloweGame officials: stats.ncaa.org box scores, via SportsDataverse

Scoring by quarter

TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Northern Illinois770923
Kentucky7710731

Standouts

Photos: Wikimedia Commons, free licenses; credits on each player’s page.

Player stats

Northern Illinois

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Ethan Hampton13/2519610
Shemar Thornton1/1310
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Harrison Waylee186309
Antario Brown637020
Justin Lynch72117
Ethan Hampton1606
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Kacper Rutkiewicz163063
Cole Tucker355020
Tristen Tewes637214
Fabian McCray233024
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Daveren Rayner10110
Demond Taylor7110
Devin Lafayette7000
Michael Kennedy5110
Devonte O’Malley51.50.50
Javaughn Byrd40.50.50
Cade Haberman40.50.50
James Ester30.50.50

Kentucky

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Will Levis18/2630340
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Kavosiey Smoke1285027
Jutahn McClain31509
La’Vell Wright91405
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Tayvion Robinson7147269
Barion Brown4102270
Jordan Dingle119019
Dane Key21509
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Jacquez Jones12000
Jordan Wright6000
DeAndre Square6000
Jordan Lovett5000

From CollegeFootballData’s box score. Names lead to each player’s page. ★ a career high on file.

Team stats

Northern IllinoisKentucky
327Total yards406
199Passing yards303
128Rushing yards103
7.7Yards per pass11.7
3.9Yards per rush2.9
14First downs18
6–⁠15Third downs10–⁠16
1–⁠1Fourth downs2–⁠2
0Turnovers1
6–⁠45Penalties2–⁠8
26:17Possession33:43
5Sacks (by defense)0

Efficiency

Northern IllinoisKentucky
44%Success rate43%
0.22EPA per play0.27
1.09Explosiveness1.48
0.06Rushing EPA−0.24
0.42Passing EPA0.78
33%Passing-down success44%
0.20First-down EPA−0.22
−0.06Second-down EPA−0.43
0.49Third-down EPA1.68
18%Havoc by its defense8%

From CollegeFootballData.com: each offense’s efficiency, and the havoc each defense caused. The better side of each line is bold.

Before kickoff

Our ratings and the line, going in

Our ratings (scores only)

Kentucky 82% to win. Elo’s favorite won.

The line

Kentucky −26.5, over/under 53.

The last line on file before kickoff: the consensus line when the books publish one, otherwise a single major sportsbook’s.

Before kickoff, the win chances were Kentucky 97%, Northern Illinois 3%. CollegeFootballData.com’s estimate from the point spread.

Every drive

Kentucky end zoneNorthern Illinois end zoneQ1 Northern IllinoisTouchdown, 11 playsQ1 KentuckyTouchdown, 16 playsQ1 Northern IllinoisPunt, 6 playsQ2 KentuckyPunt, 6 playsQ2 Northern IllinoisPunt, 3 playsQ2 KentuckyTouchdown, 4 playsQ2 Northern IllinoisPunt, 9 playsQ2 KentuckyFumble, 2 playsQ2 Northern IllinoisTouchdown, 6 playsQ2 KentuckyResult not recordedQ3 KentuckyTouchdown, 3 playsQ3 Northern IllinoisPunt, 3 playsQ3 KentuckyPunt, 6 playsQ3 Northern IllinoisPunt, 3 playsQ3 KentuckyField goal, 7 playsQ3 Northern IllinoisPunt, 7 playsQ4 KentuckyTouchdown, 11 playsQ4 Northern IllinoisField goal, 7 playsQ4 KentuckyPunt, 3 playsQ4 Northern IllinoisTouchdown, 5 playsQ4 KentuckyResult not recorded, 4 plays
Solid bars scored; an outline in the other team’s color marks points the defense scored. Kentucky drives left to right, Northern Illinois right to left.
  1. Q1 Northern IllinoisTouchdown, 11 plays, 75 yards
  2. Q1 KentuckyTouchdown, 16 plays, 75 yards
  3. Q1 Northern IllinoisPunt, 6 plays, 24 yards
  4. Q2 KentuckyPunt, 6 plays, 6 yards
  5. Q2 Northern IllinoisPunt, 3 plays, 2 yards
  6. Q2 KentuckyTouchdown, 4 plays, 98 yards
  7. Q2 Northern IllinoisPunt, 9 plays, 24 yards
  8. Q2 KentuckyFumble, 2 plays, 0 yards
  9. Q2 Northern IllinoisTouchdown, 6 plays, 34 yards
  10. Q2 KentuckyResult not recorded, 0 yards
  11. Q3 KentuckyTouchdown, 3 plays, 70 yards
  12. Q3 Northern IllinoisPunt, 3 plays, 4 yards
  13. Q3 KentuckyPunt, 6 plays, 20 yards
  14. Q3 Northern IllinoisPunt, 3 plays, 7 yards
  15. Q3 KentuckyField goal, 7 plays, 36 yards
  16. Q3 Northern IllinoisPunt, 7 plays, 12 yards
  17. Q4 KentuckyTouchdown, 11 plays, 78 yards
  18. Q4 Northern IllinoisField goal, 7 plays, 55 yards
  19. Q4 KentuckyPunt, 3 plays, 5 yards
  20. Q4 Northern IllinoisTouchdown, 5 plays, 68 yards
  21. Q4 KentuckyResult not recorded, 4 plays, 10 yards

Play by play

1st quarter3 drives, then Tied at 7
Northern Illinois Touchdown, 11 plays
15:001st & 10 at own 35Chance Poore kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
14:501st & 10 at own 25Harrison Waylee run for 6 yds to the NoIll 31
14:122nd & 4 at own 31Ethan Hampton pass complete to Tristen Tewes for 4 yds to the NoIll 35 for a 1ST down
13:401st & 10 at own 35Harrison Waylee run for 6 yds to the NoIll 41
13:042nd & 4 at own 41Ethan Hampton pass complete to Tristen Tewes for 14 yds to the Kent 45 for a 1ST down
12:291st & 10 at opp 45Harrison Waylee run for 3 yds to the Kent 42
11:412nd & 7 at opp 42Justin Lynch run for 6 yds to the Kent 36
11:113rd & 1 at opp 36Justin Lynch run for 7 yds to the Kent 29 for a 1ST down
10:491st & 10 at opp 29KENTUCKY Penalty, Defensive Offside (5 Yards) to the Kent 24
10:221st & 5 at opp 24Antario Brown run for 20 yds to the Kent 4 for a 1ST down
10:041st & goal at opp 4Antario Brown run for 1 yd to the Kent 3
9:142nd & goal at opp 3Justin Lynch run for 1 yd to the Kent 2
8:533rd & goal at opp 2Ethan Hampton pass complete to Tristen Tewes for 2 yds for a TD, (John Richardson KICK)Northern Illinois 7, Kentucky 0
Kentucky Touchdown, 16 plays
8:533rd & 8 at own 35John Richardson kickoff for 44 yds , Kavosiey Smoke return for 4 yds to the Kent 25
8:421st & 10 at own 25Will Levis pass incomplete to Barion Brown
8:302nd & 10 at own 25Kavosiey Smoke run for 3 yds to the Kent 28
7:473rd & 7 at own 28Will Levis pass complete to Dane Key for 6 yds to the Kent 34
7:114th & 1 at own 34Will Levis run for 1 yd to the Kent 35 for a 1ST down
6:541st & 10 at own 35Will Levis pass incomplete to Jordan Dingle
6:382nd & 10 at own 35Kavosiey Smoke run for 8 yds to the Kent 43 Kavosiey Smoke fumbled, recovered by Kent
5:353rd & 2 at own 43Will Levis pass complete to La’Vell Wright for 8 yds to the NoIll 49 for a 1ST down
5:191st & 10 at opp 49La’Vell Wright run for 5 yds to the NoIll 44
4:352nd & 5 at opp 44La’Vell Wright run for a loss of 1 yard to the NoIll 45
4:033rd & 6 at opp 45Will Levis pass complete to Tayvion Robinson for 6 yds to the NoIll 39 for a 1ST down
3:291st & 10 at opp 39Will Levis pass complete to Barion Brown for 11 yds to the NoIll 28 for a 1ST down
2:511st & 10 at opp 28Kavosiey Smoke run for 1 yd to the NoIll 27
2:122nd & 9 at opp 27Will Levis pass incomplete to Kavosiey Smoke
2:043rd & 9 at opp 27Will Levis pass complete to Tayvion Robinson for 9 yds to the NoIll 18 for a 1ST down
1:231st & 10 at opp 18La’Vell Wright run for 3 yds to the NoIll 15
0:482nd & 7 at opp 15Will Levis pass complete to Barion Brown for 15 yds for a TD, (Matt Ruffolo KICK)Tied at 7
Northern Illinois Punt, 6 plays
0:482nd & 7 at own 35Chance Poore kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
0:381st & 10 at own 25Harrison Waylee run for 1 yd to the NoIll 26
Q2 14:552nd & 9 at own 26Ethan Hampton pass incomplete to Harrison Waylee
Q2 14:483rd & 9 at own 26Ethan Hampton pass complete to Cole Tucker for 16 yds to the NoIll 42 for a 1ST down
Q2 14:091st & 10 at own 42Ethan Hampton pass complete to Liam Soraghan for 4 yds to the NoIll 46
Q2 13:442nd & 6 at own 46Harrison Waylee run for 3 yds to the NoIll 49
Q2 13:083rd & 3 at own 49Ethan Hampton pass incomplete
Q2 13:014th & 3 at own 49Ethan Hampton punt for 51 yds for a touchback
2nd quarter6 drives, then Tied at 14
Kentucky Punt, 6 plays
12:301st & 10 at own 20Kavosiey Smoke run for 1 yd to the Kent 21
12:082nd & 9 at own 21Will Levis pass complete to Tayvion Robinson for 8 yds to the Kent 29
11:303rd & 1 at own 29Will Levis run for 4 yds to the Kent 33 for a 1ST down
10:581st & 10 at own 33Kavosiey Smoke run for 5 yds to the Kent 38
9:502nd & 5 at own 38Will Levis sacked by Javaughn Byrd and Demond Taylor Jr. for a loss of 6 yards to the Kent 32
9:003rd & 11 at own 32Will Levis sacked by James Ester and Devonte O’Malley for a loss of 6 yards to the Kent 26
8:504th & 17 at own 26Colin Goodfellow punt for 39 yds, fair catch by Cole Tucker at the NoIll 35
Northern Illinois Punt, 3 plays
8:431st & 10 at own 35NORTHERNIL Penalty, Offensive Holding (-10 Yards) to the NoIll 25
7:571st & 20 at own 25Antario Brown run for 12 yds to the NoIll 37
7:302nd & 8 at own 37Antario Brown run for no gain to the NoIll 37
6:563rd & 8 at own 37Ethan Hampton pass incomplete
6:474th & 8 at own 37Tom Foley punt for 61 yds, punt out-of-bounds at the Kent 2
Kentucky Touchdown, 4 plays
6:261st & 10 at own 2Kavosiey Smoke run for 27 yds to the Kent 29 for a 1ST down
5:571st & 10 at own 29Kavosiey Smoke run for 2 yds to the Kent 31
5:192nd & 8 at own 31Will Levis pass incomplete to Brenden Bates
5:083rd & 8 at own 31Will Levis pass complete to Tayvion Robinson for 69 yds for a TD, (Matt Ruffolo KICK)Kentucky 14, Northern Illinois 7
Northern Illinois Punt, 9 plays
5:083rd & 8 at own 35Chance Poore kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
5:081st & 10 at own 25NORTHERNIL Penalty, Substitution Infraction (-5 Yards) to the NoIll 20
5:031st & 15 at own 20Harrison Waylee run for 5 yds to the NoIll 25
4:192nd & 10 at own 25Harrison Waylee run for 5 yds to the NoIll 30
3:503rd & 5 at own 30Ethan Hampton run for 6 yds to the NoIll 36 for a 1ST down
3:131st & 10 at own 36Justin Lynch run for 1 yd to the NoIll 37
2:222nd & 9 at own 37Ethan Hampton pass complete to Tristen Tewes for 8 yds to the NoIll 45
1:383rd & 1 at own 45Harrison Waylee run for 1 yd to the NoIll 46 for a 1ST down
1:151st & 10 at own 46Harrison Waylee run for 3 yds to the NoIll 49
1:152nd & 7 at own 49Timeout NORTHERNIL, clock 01:15
1:082nd & 7 at own 49Mason Blakemore run for 1 yd to the 50 yard line
1:083rd & 6 at the 50Timeout KENTUCKY, clock 01:08
1:083rd & 6 at the 50NORTHERNIL Penalty, False Start (-5 Yards) to the NoIll 45
0:593rd & 11 at own 45Harrison Waylee run for 9 yds to the Kent 46
0:594th & 2 at opp 46Timeout KENTUCKY, clock 00:59
0:594th & 2 at opp 46NORTHERNIL Penalty, Delay of Game (-5 Yards) to the NoIll 49
0:564th & 7 at own 49Tom Foley punt for 40 yds, fair catch by Tayvion Robinson at the Kent 11
Kentucky Fumble, 2 plays
0:521st & 10 at own 11Will Levis pass incomplete to Keaton Upshaw
0:402nd & 10 at own 11Kavosiey Smoke run for 23 yds to the Kent 34 Kavosiey Smoke fumbled, forced by Javaughn Byrd, recovered by NoIll Nick Rattin
Northern Illinois Touchdown, 6 plays
0:371st & 10 at opp 34Ethan Hampton pass complete to Cole Tucker for 20 yds to the Kent 14 for a 1ST down
0:311st & 10 at opp 14Ethan Hampton pass complete to Fabian McCray for 9 yds to the Kent 5
0:262nd & 1 at opp 5Harrison Waylee run for 2 yds to the Kent 3 for a 1ST down
0:171st & goal at opp 3Harrison Waylee run for no gain to the Kent 3
0:172nd & 0 at opp 3Timeout NORTHERNIL, clock 00:17
0:122nd & goal at opp 3Ethan Hampton pass incomplete
0:063rd & goal at opp 3Shemar Thornton pass complete to Tristen Tewes for 3 yds for a TD, (John Richardson KICK)Tied at 14
0:063rd & 10 at own 35John Richardson kickoff for 45 yds , Kavosiey Smoke return for 12 yds to the Kent 32
3rd quarter6 drives, then Kentucky 24, Northern Illinois 14
Kentucky Touchdown, 3 plays
15:001st & 10 at own 35John Richardson kickoff for 41 yds , Kavosiey Smoke return for 6 yds to the Kent 30
14:491st & 10 at own 30La’Vell Wright run for no gain to the Kent 30
14:142nd & 10 at own 30Will Levis pass incomplete
14:023rd & 10 at own 30Will Levis pass complete to Barion Brown for 70 yds for a TD, (Matt Ruffolo KICK)Kentucky 21, Northern Illinois 14
Northern Illinois Punt, 3 plays
14:023rd & 10 at own 35Chance Poore kickoff for 59 yds , Billy Dozier return for 42 yds to the NoIll 48
13:421st & 10 at own 48Antario Brown run for 4 yds to the Kent 48
13:132nd & 6 at opp 48Ethan Hampton pass incomplete to Shemar Thornton
13:093rd & 6 at opp 48Ethan Hampton pass incomplete
13:014th & 6 at opp 48Tom Foley punt for 38 yds, fair catch by Tayvion Robinson at the Kent 10
Kentucky Punt, 6 plays
12:341st & 10 at own 10La’Vell Wright run for 2 yds to the Kent 12
12:082nd & 8 at own 12La’Vell Wright run for no gain to the Kent 12
11:203rd & 8 at own 12Will Levis pass complete to Tayvion Robinson for 15 yds to the Kent 27 for a 1ST down
10:501st & 10 at own 27Will Levis sacked by Michael Kennedy for a loss of 6 yards to the Kent 21
10:062nd & 16 at own 21Will Levis pass complete to Tayvion Robinson for no gain to the Kent 21
9:153rd & 16 at own 21Will Levis pass complete to Dane Key for 9 yds to the Kent 30
8:374th & 7 at own 30Colin Goodfellow punt for 60 yds, downed at the NoIll 10
Northern Illinois Punt, 3 plays
8:251st & 10 at own 10Antario Brown run for no gain to the NoIll 10
7:482nd & 10 at own 10Ethan Hampton pass complete to Shemar Thornton for 7 yds to the NoIll 17
7:293rd & 3 at own 17Ethan Hampton pass incomplete
7:164th & 3 at own 17Tom Foley punt for 54 yds , Tayvion Robinson returns for 4 yds to the Kent 33
Kentucky Field goal, 7 plays
7:081st & 10 at own 33NORTHERNIL Penalty, Defensive Pass Interference (15 Yards) to the Kent 48 for a 1ST down
6:541st & 10 at own 48La’Vell Wright run for 5 yds to the NoIll 47
6:222nd & 5 at opp 47Kavosiey Smoke run for 4 yds to the NoIll 43
5:453rd & 1 at opp 43Will Levis run for 5 yds to the NoIll 38 for a 1ST down
5:051st & 10 at opp 38Will Levis pass complete to Barion Brown for 6 yds to the NoIll 32
4:302nd & 4 at opp 32Kavosiey Smoke run for no gain to the NoIll 32
3:453rd & 4 at opp 32Will Levis run for 1 yd to the NoIll 31
3:044th & 3 at opp 31Matt Ruffolo 49 yd FG GOODKentucky 24, Northern Illinois 14
Northern Illinois Punt, 7 plays
3:044th & 3 at own 35Chance Poore kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
2:591st & 10 at own 25Ethan Hampton pass incomplete
2:452nd & 10 at own 25Harrison Waylee run for 8 yds to the NoIll 33
2:003rd & 2 at own 33Justin Lynch run for 1 yd to the NoIll 34
1:304th & 1 at own 34Justin Lynch run for 3 yds to the NoIll 37 for a 1ST down
0:501st & 10 at own 37Harrison Waylee run for 2 yds to the NoIll 39
0:202nd & 8 at own 39Harrison Waylee run for a loss of 2 yards to the NoIll 37
Q4 14:563rd & 10 at own 37Ethan Hampton pass incomplete
Q4 14:474th & 10 at own 37Tom Foley punt for 43 yds , Tayvion Robinson returns for 2 yds to the Kent 22
4th quarter5 drives, then Kentucky 31, Northern Illinois 23
Kentucky Touchdown, 11 plays
14:151st & 10 at own 22Will Levis pass complete to Jordan Dingle for 19 yds to the Kent 41 for a 1ST down
14:001st & 10 at own 41La’Vell Wright run for no gain to the Kent 41
13:152nd & 10 at own 41Will Levis pass complete to Brenden Bates for 5 yds to the Kent 46
12:153rd & 5 at own 46Will Levis pass complete to JuTahn McClain for 5 yds to the NoIll 49 for a 1ST down
11:481st & 10 at opp 49JuTahn McClain run for 9 yds to the NoIll 40
11:022nd & 1 at opp 40Will Levis pass incomplete
10:533rd & 1 at opp 40La’Vell Wright run for no gain to the NoIll 40
10:144th & 1 at opp 40Will Levis pass complete to Brenden Bates for 2 yds to the NoIll 38 for a 1ST down
9:481st & 10 at opp 38Will Levis pass incomplete
9:062nd & 10 at opp 38Will Levis sacked by Daveren Rayner for a loss of 2 yards to the NoIll 40
8:463rd & 12 at opp 40Will Levis pass complete to Tayvion Robinson for 40 yds for a TD, (Matt Ruffolo KICK)Kentucky 31, Northern Illinois 14
Northern Illinois Field goal, 7 plays
8:463rd & 12 at own 35Chance Poore kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
8:371st & 10 at own 25Ethan Hampton pass complete to Fabian McCray for 24 yds to the NoIll 49 for a 1ST down
8:061st & 10 at own 49Harrison Waylee run for 8 yds to the Kent 43
7:192nd & 2 at opp 43Ethan Hampton pass complete to Cole Tucker for 19 yds to the Kent 24 for a 1ST down
7:001st & 10 at opp 24Harrison Waylee run for 3 yds to the Kent 21
6:202nd & 7 at opp 21Ethan Hampton pass complete to Tristen Tewes for 6 yds to the Kent 15
5:533rd & 1 at opp 15NORTHERNIL Penalty, Illegal Formation (-5 Yards) to the Kent 20
5:313rd & 6 at opp 20Ethan Hampton pass incomplete
5:264th & 6 at opp 20John Richardson 38 yd FG GOODKentucky 31, Northern Illinois 17
Kentucky Punt, 3 plays
5:264th & 6 at own 35John Richardson kickoff for 43 yds , Barion Brown return for 1 yd to the Kent 23
4:461st & 10 at own 23JuTahn McClain run for 2 yds to the Kent 25
4:272nd & 8 at own 25JuTahn McClain run for 4 yds to the Kent 29
4:273rd & 4 at own 29Timeout NORTHERNIL, clock 04:27
4:273rd & 4 at own 29Timeout KENTUCKY, clock 04:27
4:203rd & 4 at own 29Will Levis sacked by Cade Haberman and Demond Taylor Jr. for a loss of 1 yard to the Kent 28
4:184th & 5 at own 28Timeout NORTHERNIL, clock 04:18
4:144th & 5 at own 28Colin Goodfellow punt for 40 yds, fair catch by Cole Tucker at the NoIll 32
Northern Illinois Touchdown, 5 plays
4:041st & 10 at own 32Ethan Hampton pass complete to Kacper Rutkiewicz for 63 yds to the Kent 5 for a 1ST down
3:181st & goal at opp 5Harrison Waylee run for no gain to the Kent 5
3:022nd & goal at opp 5Ethan Hampton pass incomplete
2:573rd & goal at opp 5Ethan Hampton pass incomplete
2:534th & 0 at opp 5KENTUCKY Penalty, Defensive Holding (3 Yards) to the Kent 2 for a 1ST down
2:471st & goal at opp 2Justin Lynch run for 2 yds for a TD, (Two-Point Conversion failed )Kentucky 31, Northern Illinois 23
2:471st & 10 at own 35Timeout NORTHERNIL, clock 02:47
Kentucky Result not recorded, 4 plays
2:471st & 10 at own 35John Richardson on-side kick recovered by KENTUCKY at the Kent 46
2:081st & 10 at own 46Kavosiey Smoke run for 3 yds to the Kent 49
1:202nd & 7 at own 49Kavosiey Smoke run for 8 yds to the NoIll 43 for a 1ST down
0:501st & 10 at opp 43TEAM run for a loss of 1 yard to the NoIll 44
0:012nd & 11 at opp 44TEAM run for no gain to the NoIll 44

Play-by-play from CollegeFootballData.com, as its scorers wrote it. The clock is the time left in the quarter; the spot is from the side of the team with the ball.

The series

Every Northern Illinois–Kentucky game

Kentucky leads 1–⁠0 in their only meeting.

Around this game

Northern Illinois

Kentucky

Ranked games that day

Every game of Week 4