2013 Kentucky Wildcats football team

Spring game

The 2013 Blue/White Spring Game at Commonwealth Stadium saw the Blue squad squeak out a one-point victory over the White team in the annual scrimmage, 24–23. The program witnessed its largest attendance for a spring game in program history with 50,831 fans.

The Kentucky faithful finally got to see a glimpse of what the new coaching staff had been working on since joining the Big Blue Nation with Stoops coming on board in late November. Stoops promised to bring a new approach to the defensive side of the ball with his offense revisiting a familiar style of play from air-raid era with an up-tempo offense. As the Wildcats put five passing touchdowns on the board, it marked the return of the old air raid sirens that once carried through the Lexington skies on game day.

With very little decided in the way of starters and roles, all five of Kentucky's quarterbacks received reps during Saturday evening's scrimmage, with the majority of the opportunities going to Maxwell Smith, Patrick Towles and Jalen Whitlow. Coach Stoops and offensive coordinator Neal Brown had yet to determine who their starting quarterback would be going into the fall. However, with fairly equal playing time divvied up amongst the signal callers, it was Whitlow who threw and rushed for the most yardage in Brown's new-look schemes. Whitlow displayed a strong, accurate arm, finding multiple receivers, and showing off his speed which gave him a unique element to his game. He finished the night 17-of-28 with 193 yards and two touchdowns, while scampering for 49 net yards on seven attempts on the ground while toggling back and forth between the Blue and White squads.

Class of 2013 signees

More information College recruiting information (2013), Name ...

College recruiting information (2013)
Name	Hometown	School	Height	Weight	40‡	Commit date
Jeff Badet WR	Orlando, Florida	Freedom	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	170 lb (77 kg)	N/A	Feb 1, 2013
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    (77)
Alvonte Bell DE	Miramar, Florida	Everglades	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	230 lb (100 kg)	N/A	Jun 5, 2012
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    (79)
Javess Blue WR	Babson Park, Florida	Butler CC	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	195 lb (88 kg)	N/A	Jan 13, 2012
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    (83)
Steven Borden Jr. TE	Waxahachie, Texas	Kilgore College	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	250 lb (110 kg)	4.5	Dec 19, 2012
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    (77)
Justin Day OT	Aiken, South Carolina	South Aiken	6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)	290 lb (130 kg)	N/A	Jun 29, 2012
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    (40)
Jason Hatcher DE	Louisville, Kentucky	Trinity	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	235 lb (107 kg)	N/A	Feb 6, 2013
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    (83)
Nick Haynes OG	Niceville, Florida	Niceville	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	295 lb (134 kg)	N/A	Feb 3, 2013
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    (70)
Jacob Hyde DT	Manchester, Kentucky	Clay County	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	310 lb (140 kg)	N/A	Mar 1, 2012
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    (78)
Jaleel Hytchye DB	Cincinnati, Ohio	LaSalle	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	170 lb (77 kg)	N/A	Jan 5, 2013
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    (81)
Jojo Kemp RB	DeLand, Florida	DeLand	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	190 lb (86 kg)	N/A	Feb 1, 2013
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    (81)
Austin MacGinnis K	Prattville, Alabama	Prattville	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	175 lb (79 kg)	N/A	Jun 23, 2012
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    (75)
Blake McClain DB	Orlando, Florida	Winter Park	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	180 lb (82 kg)	N/A	Jun 27, 2012
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    (75)
Marcus McWilson DB	Youngstown, Ohio	Cardinal Mooney	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	195 lb (88 kg)	N/A	Jan 28, 2013
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    (78)
Kyle Meadows OT	West Chester, Ohio	Lakota West	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	280 lb (130 kg)	N/A	Jan 12, 2013
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    (79)
Regie Meant DT	Cape Coral, Florida	Baker	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	270 lb (120 kg)	N/A	Jan 15, 2013
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    (74)
Ramsey Meyers OG	Jacksonville, Florida	Ridgeview	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	300 lb (140 kg)	N/A	Jun 23, 2012
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    (73)
Alex Montgomery WR	Weston, Florida	Cypress Bay	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	180 lb (82 kg)	4.5	Jan 28, 2013
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    (78)
Reese Phillips QB	Chattanooga, Tennessee	Signal Mountain	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	215 lb (98 kg)	N/A	Jun 6, 2012
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    (69)
Khalid Thomas RB	Tallahassee, Florida	Godby	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	175 lb (79 kg)	4.5	Aug 7, 2012
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    (79)
Ryan Timmons WR	Frankfort, Kentucky	Franklin County	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	190 lb (86 kg)	4.4	Feb 5, 2013
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    (81)
Za'Darius Smith DE	Scooba, Mississippi	East Mississippi CC	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	258 lb (117 kg)	4.5	Dec 19, 2012
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    (83)
Nate Willis DB	Pahokee, Florida	Arizona Western College	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	180 lb (82 kg)	4.4	Jan 16, 2012
	Recruit ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    (78)
Overall recruit ranking:
Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, On3, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "2013 Kentucky Football Commitment List". Rivals. Retrieved April 1, 2012. "2013 Kentucky Football Commits". Scout. Retrieved April 1, 2012. "ESPN". ESPN. Retrieved April 1, 2012. "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout. Retrieved April 1, 2012. "2013 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved April 1, 2012.

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Vs. Western Kentucky

Keshawn Simpson ran for a pair of 3-yard touchdowns and Antonio Andrews added his own 3-yard score as Western Kentucky beat Kentucky 35–26 Saturday night making coach Bobby Petrino a winner in his debut.

The Hilltoppers also beat their in-state rival for a second straight year, though they didn't need overtime like they did last year in this win over the Southeastern Conference program. They outgained Kentucky 487–419 in total offense and held the ball for 35 minutes.

Brandon Doughty was 27 of 34 for 271 yards and a TD, numbers that would have been better except for at least four drops including a would-be touchdown.

The loss ruined Kentucky coach Mark Stoops' debut. coordinator Neal Brown's Air Raid offense struggled against a Western Kentucky defense returning seven starters from a bowl team that went 7–6 last season in the Sun Belt Conference.

Miami (OH)

Maxwell Smith threw three long touchdown passes and Jalen Whitlow and Raymond Sanders each added scoring runs as Kentucky beat Miami (Ohio) 41–7 on Saturday.

The Wildcats made a winner of first-year coach Mark Stoops and Smith, who started for the first time since a season-ending ankle injury last September.

Most importantly for the Wildcats (1–1) was how Smith helped offensive coordinator Neal Brown's pass-oriented "Air Raid" philosophy take flight with TD passes of 48 yards to Jonathan George, 88 to Javess Blue and 56 to Jeff Badet. He completed 15 of 23 passes for 310 yards, 210 by halftime, as Kentucky outgained Miami 675–122 and allowed the RedHawks' only score on a fumbled punt return.

No. 7 Louisville

Heisman hopeful Teddy Bridgewater got off to a slow start as Kentucky's defense kept him and his receivers in check for much of the first half. He began 1 of 4 for 10 yards and had just 58 yards through one quarter, looking especially out of sync in throwing behind Robert Clark after the Cardinals recovered a Whitlow fumble at the Wildcats 27. Wallace salvaged the drive with a 36-yard field goal for a 3–0 lead. Even when Bridgewater seemed to get going in hitting Parker for 10 yards, the receiver fumbled and Kentucky's Ashley Lowery recovered, setting up Mansour's 37-yard field to tie the game.

The Wildcats' defense closed running lanes for Michael Dyer and other Cardinals backs and even sacking Bridgewater for just the second time this season. But Kentucky's offense couldn't take advantage as receivers dropped passes from Maxwell Smith–who took all but two snaps in the first half–while Raymond Sanders fumbled a handoff at the Louisville 13 late in the second quarter. Smith and Whitlow combined to complete just 17 of 37 passes for 214 yards for the Wildcats.

Senorise Perry ran for 100 yards and two touchdowns and Bridgewater overcame a shaky start to pass for 250 yards and No. 7 Louisville scored on four consecutive drives to pull away from rival Kentucky for a 27–13 victory on Saturday. Perry finished with 100 yards on 11 carries while Bridgewater completed 16 of 28 attempts to help the Cardinals earn their third straight Governor's Cup.

No. 20 Florida

Joe Mansour's 25-yard run on a fake field goal was the only TD for Kentucky (1–3, 0–1), which was outgained 402–173. That trick play was Kentucky's only highlight on a night that largely belonged to Murphy and the Gators.

Matt Jones rushed for 176 yards and a touchdown and Tyler Murphy threw for 156 yards and a score as No. 20 Florida beat Kentucky 24–7 on Saturday night, its 27th straight win over the Wildcats. Jones, who had 28 carries, outgained Kentucky by himself while he and Murphy provided all of the Gators' touchdowns in the first half to extend the longest active winning streak over a major opponent. Murphy also rushed for a 3-yard TD in his first career start for the Gators (3–1, 2–0 Southeastern Conference), who closed a difficult week on a high note after losing starting quarterback Jeff Driskel and defensive tackle Dominique Easley to season-ending injuries.

Florida gave Gators wide receivers coach Joker Phillips a fresh start after his firing last fall as Wildcats coach.

At No. 13 South Carolina

Kentucky (1–4, 0–2) rallied from a 21–0 deficit to pull within 6 at 27–21 with 11:50 left in the game but could not complete the comeback to upset #13 South Carolina. They were still only down 7 with 4 minutes remaining after a 1-yard touchdown run by Jalen Witlow but South Carolina was able to run out the clock behind SEC leading rusher Mike Davis and beat Kentucky for the 13th time in the last 14 meetings.

South Carolina senior quarterback Connor Shaw completed 17 of 20 passes for 262 yards and rushed for 50 yards. Kentucky quarterback Jalen Witlow complete 17 of 24 passes for 178 yards and 2 touchdowns and rushed for 69 yards and a touchdown. Mike Davis rushed for 106 yards and scored 2 touchdowns for the Gamecocks.

South Carolina played without star defensive end Jadeveon Clowney who was out with an injury.

No. 1 Alabama

T.J. Yeldon and Kenyan Drake each ran for two touchdowns and No. 1 Alabama brushed off a few early mistakes to blow out Kentucky 48–7.

After a scoreless first quarter thanks to fumbles by the running backs and dropped passes in Kentucky territory, the Crimson Tide (6–0, 3–0) scored on their last eight possessions and outgained the Wildcats (1–5, 0–3) 668–170. Alabama gained 369 yards through the air including a career-high 359 yards by A. J. McCarron. Kentucky's only score came in the 3rd quarter on a 30-yard touchdown pass from Maxwell Smith to Javess Blue.

Kentucky quarterback Jalen Witlow was injured on a sack early in the game and did not return.

At Mississippi State

Dak Prescott threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns and also caught a 17-yard touchdown pass to lead Mississippi State past Kentucky. Prescott completed a career-high 23 of 34 passes and also rushed for 33 yards. Jameon Lewis had a 19-yard touchdown run, caught a 17-yard scoring pass and also threw the 17-yard touchdown to Prescott on a trick play.

Kentucky's Joe Mansour made a 44-yard field goal with 8:15 remaining to pull the Wildcats to 28–22, but the Wildcats could get no closer. They had pulled to 21–19 in the third quarter on Jojo Kemp's 14-yard touchdown run. Then in what proved to be a key moment, the Wildcats recovered an onside kick, only to have it disallowed because of an offside penalty.

Maxwell Smith completed 18 of 33 passes for 160 yards and a touchdown. Raymond Sanders rushed for 86 and Jojo Kemp rushed for 63 and a touchdown to lead the Wildcats.

Alabama State

No. 9 Missouri

At Vanderbilt

At Georgia

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Tennessee

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Roster

More information Players, Coaches ...

2013 Kentucky Wildcats football team roster
Players			Coaches
Offense Pos. # Name Class WR 1 Ryan Timmons Fr QB 2 Jalen Whitlow So RB 4 Raymond Sanders Sr RB 5 Braylon Heard  Jr WR 6 A.J. Legree So WR 8 Javess Blue Jr WR 9 Demarco Robinson Jr QB 11 Max Smith So QB 12 Reese Phillips Fr WR 13 Jeff Badet Fr QB 14 Patrick Towles So WR 17 Alex Montgomery Fr RB 21 Josh Clemons So WR 23 Daryl Collins So RB 24 Jojo Kemp Fr RB 25 Jonathan George Sr RB, WR 27 Demitrious Davis  Fr WR 28 Joey Herrick So WR 29 Austin Sheehan Fr RB 31 John Giddens So RB 33 Dyshawn Mobley So FB 37 Cody Jones Sr FB 39 DJ Warren Jr TE 46 Patrick Ligon Sr TE 48 John Ballis Fr G 55 Jordan Watson Fr G 57 Zach Myers Fr G 58 Shaquille Love So OT 62 Tyler Davenport Jr G 63 Bill Davis So C 64 Max Godby Jr G 68 Nick Haynes Fr G 69 Ramsey Meyers Fr OT 70 Jordan Swindle So G 71 John Gruenschlaeger So C 72 Jon Toth Fr OT 73 Kyle Meadows Fr G 74 Cole Mosier Fr G 75 Zach West So G 76 Teven Eatmon-Nared Jr OT 77 Darrian Miller Jr G 79 Kevin Mitchell Sr TE 80 Ronnie Shields Jr WR 83 Cameron Fogle Fr WR 84 Miles Thompson Fr TE 85 Steven Borden Jr TE 86 Jordan Aumiller Sr WR 87 Lucas Witt Jr WR 88 A.J. Johnson Jr TE 89 Tyler Robinson Sr	Defense Pos. # Name Class LB 2 Alvin Dupree Jr CB 3 Fred Tiller So S 5 Ashely Lowery Jr DE 6 Jason Hatcher Fr LB 7 Daron Blaylock So LB 8 Josh Forrest So LB 10 Tyler Brause Jr DB 15 Marcus McWilson Fr CB 16 Cody Quinn So S 17 Zack Blaylock So S 18 Glenn Faulkner So DB 19 Jaleel Hytchye Fr LB 20 Josh Harris Fr DB 21 Rodney Cox So LB 22 Khalid Henderson So DB 23 Nate Willis Jr DB 24 Blake McClain Fr CB 25 Cantrell McKinely Jr S 26 Tre Dunn Sr CB 27 Shawn Blaylock Fr CB 28 Eric Dixon Jr CB 30 Chris Davis  Fr LB 32 Miles Simpson Jr S 34 Kory Brown Jr CB 38 Eric Simmons Jr LB 40 Avery Williamson Sr DE 41 Travaughn Paschal Jr DE 47 Jabari Johnson Jr LB 49 Robbie Irgang Fr DE 50 Mike Douglas Jr DT 51 Tristian Johnson Sr DT 52 Patrick Graffree Fr LB 54 Malcolm McDuffen Jr DT 60 Alvin Davis Jr DT 61 Jacob Hyde Fr DT 78 Zane Williams Fr DT 90 Melvin Lewis Jr DE 91 Farrington Huguenin So DT 92 Christian Coleman Jr DE 94 Za'Darius Smith Jr DE 95 Langston Newton Fr DT 96 Regie Meant Fr DT 97 Mister Cobble Sr DT 98 Thomas Chapman So DT 99 Donte Rumph Sr	Special teams Pos. # Name Class PK, P 9 Landon Foster So P 42 Jay Wilmott So LS 53 Matthew Adolph Sr LS 59 Kelly Mason So LS 81 Kyle Buddle Jr PK, P 88 Joe Mansour Sr PK 90 Tanner Blain Fr PK 99 Austin MacGinnis Fr	Head coach Mark Stoops[15] Coordinators/assistant coaches Derrick Ansley Defensive backs Neal Brown Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks Jimmy Brumbaugh Defensive line D. J. Eliot Defensive coordinator/linebackers Tommy Mainord Wide receivers Vince Marrow Tight ends Bradley Dale Peveto Safeties/special teams coordinator John Schlarman Offensive line Chad Scott Running backs Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt Roster Last update: April 29, 2012

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Starters by game

Offense

Defense