Kentucky’s defense was rock solid as the ninth-ranked Wildcats knocked off previously unbeaten 1AA power Youngstown State, 31-0, at Kroger Field on Saturday afternoon.
It was the Wildcats, now 3-0, first shutout since beating Miami, 42-0, on Sept. 5, 2009.
Quarterback Will Levis completed 27-of-35 passes for 377 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He was picked off twice. Receiver Dane Key hauled in six catches for 90 yards and one score. Levis added a rushing touchdown.
Running back Kavosiey Smoke carried 18 times for 66 yards and a score.
After a scoreless opening quarter, Kentucky got on the board first as Levis scored on a keeper inside the one-yard line to make it 7-0 with 13:34 left.
The Wildcats extended their lead to 14-0 on Levis’ three-yard TD pass to Dane Key with 6:10 remaining in the half.
Kentucky pushed its lead to 21-0 at the break as Levis tossed a two-yard pass to Chris Lewis with 20 seconds to play.
Running back Kavosiey Smoke’s seven yard run with 8:36 to go in the third period put the UK lead at 28-0.
Make Ruffalo’s 23-yard goal capped the scoring.
The Wildcats will host Northern Illinios (1-2) on Sept. 24. Kickoff is set for 7 pm.
At Lexington
SCORE BY QUARTERS:
YS (2-1).….0 0 0 0 – 0
UK (3-0)….0 21 7 3 – 31
Scoring:
First Quarter
No scoring
Second Quarter
UK – Will Levis, 1-yard run (Matt Ruffalo kick), 13:34
UK – Dane Key, 3-yard pass from Will Levis (Matt Ruffalo kick), 6:10
UK – Chris Lewis, 2-yard pass from Will Levis (Matt Ruffalo kick), :20
Third Quarter
UK – Kavosiey Smoke, 7-yard run (Matt Ruffalo kick), 8:36
Fourth Quarter
UK – Matt Ruffalo, 23-yard field goal, 4:54
Next up: Kentucky (3-0) vs. Northern Illinois (1-2), 7 pm, Sept. 24