Tonight at 7 p.m. the Kentucky Wildcats will meet the Akron Zips on the gridiron for the first time ever in the program’s history. The Zips travel to Commonwealth Stadium with a 0-2 record, including a humiliating overtime loss to Gardner-Webb, a FCS school, 38-37 in overtime in the previous week. The Wildcats, on the other hand, are 2-0 for the 4th consecutive season and defeated Western Kentucky 63-28 last week. Here are some numbers and facts on interest headed into tonight’s game:
Various Records
Kentucky’s all-time record playing on September 18th: 3-5 (.375) (won last 2 times playing on September 18th, both times against Indiana)
Kentucky’s all-time record vs. schools currently in the MAC: 24-7-1 (.766) (9-1 in their last 10 meetings against MAC schools)
Kentucky’s all-time record vs. schools in Ohio: 64-22-4 (.733) (8-2 in their last 10 meetings against schools in Ohio)
Hartline: A Pinpoint Passer?
It is early in the season, but through the first 2 games, quarterback Mike Hartline has completed 33 of his 46 passing attempts. That comes to a completion percentage of 71.7%. Mike is currently on pace to have the 2nd highest completion percentage in a single season in school history. Tim Couch currently holds the record, completing 72.3% of his passes in 1998.
Some Key Players Near Milestones
- Mike Hartline is only 68 yards passing away from 3,000 passing yards for his career at Kentucky. Mike would become the 10th quarterback in Kentucky history to throw for 3,000 yards in a career.
- Derrick Locke is only 63 rushing yards away from 2,000 rushing yards for his career at Kentucky. Derrick would become the 7th running back in Kentucky history to run for 2,000 yards in a career.
- Derrick Locke is only 4 carries away from 400 carries for his career at Kentucky. Derrick would be the 8th running back in Kentucky history to carry the ball 400 times in a career.
- Randall Cobb is only 5 rushing yards away from 1,000 rushing yards for his career at Kentucky.
Cobb: Touchdown Machine
With the 2 touchdowns Randall Cobb scored last week against Western Kentucky, he has now scored 27 touchdowns in his Kentucky career. He is now tied for the 2nd most touchdowns scored in a career in school history. Craig Yeast, who played from 1995-1998, currently holds the record with 32 touchdowns.
Season Statistical Comparison (National ranking out of 120 FBS schools in parentheses)
Rushing Offense: Kentucky – 218 ypg (30th) Akron – 139.5 ypg (77th)
Passing Offense: Kentucky – 256 ypg (36th) Akron – 138 ypg (106th)
Total Offense: Kentucky – 474 ypg (22nd) Akron – 277.5 ypg (110th)
Scoring Offense: Kentucky – 43 ppg (20th) Akron – 20 ppg (T-93rd)
Rushing Defense: Kentucky – 188.5 ypg (94th) Akron – 151.5 ypg (77th)
Pass Defense: Kentucky – 112 ypg (12th) Akron – 259.5 ypg (95th)
Total Defense: Kentucky – 300.5 ypg (T-41st) Akron – 411 ypg (95th)
Scoring Defense: Kentucky – 22 ppg (T-62nd) Akron – 33.5 ppg (T-103rd)
Net Punting: Kentucky – 34 ypp (T-88th) Akron – 35.69 ypp (72nd)
Punt Returns: Kentucky – 9.33 ypr (T-48th) Akron – 7.5 ypr (67th)
Punt Return Yardage Defense: Kentucky – 28 ypr (T-106th) Akron – 2 ypr (T-24th)
Kickoff Returns: Kentucky – 25 ypr (T-27th) Akron – 22.2 ypr (54th)
Kickoff Return Yardage Defense: Kentucky – 30.9 ypr (115th) Akron – 17.17 ypr (18th)
Turnover Margin: Kentucky – +2 topg (T-7th) Akron – +1 topg (T-23rd)
3rd Down Conversion Percentage: Kentucky – 56% (T-10th) Akron – 34.48% (81st)
3rd Down Conversion Percentage Defense: Kentucky – 28% (29th) Akron – 53.85% (110th)
Time Of Possession: Kentucky – 31:10 (43rd) Akron – 27:37 (96th)
Red Zone Offense: Kentucky – 80% (T-70th) Akron – 60% (T-108th)
Red Zone Defense: Kentucky – 100% (T-85th) Akron – 86% (T-71st)
Derrick Locke Watch
Career At Kentucky
1,937 career rushing yards (168 yards shy of 6th place, Artose Pinner)
27.54 yards per kickoff return (currently the all-time leader in school history)
2 kickoff return touchdowns (1 shy of tying Craig Yeast for most in school history)
3,662 all-purpose yards (57 yards shy of 7th place, Moe Williams)
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