#8 UK looks to go 4-0 against Northern Illinois

The U.K. Wildcats put their #8 ranking on the line Saturday night in a first-ever visit from the Huskies of Northern Illinois University at Kroger Field.

Kentucky is coming off a 31-0 rout of Youngstown State and seeks a 4-0 start in its final non-conference game before resuming SEC play next week at Mississippi.

Kentucky hasn’t allowed a point in its last six quarters and snuffed all 12 third- and fourth-down conversion 12 chances by Youngstown State.

Northern Illinois aims to bounce back from a 38-28 home loss to Vanderbilt and halt a two-game slide. The Huskies led Vanderbilt 28-14 before surrendering the final 24 points.

Huskies wide receiver Cole Tucker will be the focus of the Wildcats' defense, which leads the SEC with three interceptions and ranks third in passing defense at 152 yards allowed per game. Tucker leads the team with 15 catches for 278 yards and three touchdowns, including two last week against Vanderbilt with a career-best 70-yarder.

Tucker established a career high the previous game against Tulsa with 123 yards receiving. He leads the MAC with 92.7 yards per game.

The game starts at 6 p.m. on ESPN 2.



Youngstown State linebacker Alex Howard (3) chases down Kentucky quarterback Will Levis (7) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)