Large day from Levis towards LSU retains Wildcats unbeaten

LEXINGTON, Ky. — – Will Levis threw for 3 touchdowns and ran for 2 extra scores and No. 16 Kentucky dominated LSU all through in a 42-21 blowout Saturday night time.

The Wildcats have their first 6-0 begin since 1950, improved to 4-0 within the Southeastern Convention and earned a second consecutive win over a convention heavyweight. Kentucky beat then-No. 10 Florida 20-13 final week. Their largest problem looms at No. 2 Georgia subsequent week in an East Division showdown, and so they’ll enter with their greatest efficiency for the reason that season opener.

Levis had an enormous hand in that, with the quarterback bouncing again from a lackluster stretch to account for 3 second-half scores alone as Kentucky pulled away to a 35-7 lead early within the fourth quarter. The Penn State switch sandwiched TD passes of 25, 11 and three yards between dashing scores of 5 and 1 yards because the Wildcats outgained the Tigers 475-408, although a lot of LSU’s yardage got here after the sport was out of attain.

Levis completed 14 of 17 passing for 145 yards. Chris Rodriguez Jr. rushed for 147 yards and a landing on 16 carries because the Wildcats outrushed LSU 330-147, its second-highest complete this season.

“You would inform early on he had confidence,” Kentucky coach Mark Stoops stated about Levis.

Of the punishing floor recreation, the coach added, “Whenever you rush for 330 yards, that will get them off stability and the play motion will get going.”

LSU (3-3, 1-2) sought to rebound from final week’s 24-19 loss to No. 18 Auburn. As a substitute, the Tigers performed catch-up and by the point Tyrion Davis-Value rushed for the primary of two TDs halfway via the third quarter, the Tigers trailed 21-0.

Kentucky answered with two extra scores to pad its lead.

Davis-Value rushed for 147 yards on 22 carries, whereas quarterback Max Johnson accomplished 22 of 38 passes for 261 yards and a 41-yard TD to Malik Nabers.

LSU additionally misplaced a few key gamers through the recreation. Star receiver Kayshon Boutte, who entered main the nation with 9 TD receptions, left the sphere on a cart after injuring his leg within the fourth quarter. Defensive finish Ali Gaye sustained a leg damage, although LSU coach Ed Orgeron stated each gamers needed to be evaluated.

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Kentucky stands to rise just a few spots after one other SEC victory.

THE TAKEAWAY

LSU: Social media hypothesis about the way forward for Tigers coach Ed Orgeron started earlier than halftime of a recreation and is definite to extend through which they had been dominated on each side of the ball. A misplaced fumble on the opening drive arrange one Kentucky landing earlier than LSU turned it over on downs to arrange one other TD and a gap it by no means got here near climbing from.

“I do consider that we received beat on the level of assault,” Orgeron stated. “I knew they had been a superb zone blocking workforce. Generally it was simply bodily on the level of assault, typically it was simply method.”

Kentucky: After a number of video games of counting on its protection to protect slim leads, Levis and the Wildcats offense carried the load. The protection did its half by maintaining Johnson and Boutte from doing harm, recording 4 sacks and 9 tackles for loss. Not unhealthy for a squad that performed with out nostril guard Marquan McCall and receiver Josh Ali, each starters, due to accidents.

“We got here in with a recreation plan after a giant win the week earlier than and needed to set the tone,” linebacker DeAndre Sq. stated.

UP NEXT

LSU: Hosts No. 20 Florida on Saturday.

Kentucky: At No. 2 Georgia on Saturday.