UK grinds out 23-21 Gator Bowl win over N.C. State

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Kentucky’s postgame locker room offered a scene gamers and coaches may always remember. They celebrated a 3rd consecutive bowl victory whereas dedicating it to 2 guys who could not be there.

This one was for late offensive line coach John Schlarman and rehabbing linebacker Chris Oats, who has been battling a big medical situation since Could.

Asim Rose Jr. ran for a career-high 148 yards, Chris Rodriguez added 84 yards and two scores and the Wildcats held off No. 24 North Carolina State 23-21 on Saturday in a chippy TaxSlayer Gator Bowl.

“It was extraordinarily emotional, even strolling into the locker room we have been saying, ‘That was for (Oats), that was for Schlarman,'” mentioned linebacker Jamin Davis, who completed with 13 tackles and an interception.

“It is positively one thing to point out to the youthful guys that we simply preserve enjoying via all of the adversity, no matter’s occurring round us, all the skin noise,” Davis added. “Simply block it out. … We have to maintain going regardless.”

Christopher Dunn missed two subject targets for the Wolfpack (Eight-Four), who trailed 16-14 late when Bailey Hockman threw his third interception of the sport. Rodriguez scored on the following play, going practically untouched for 26 yards.

NC State bought a last probability after Jordan Houston scored with 1:10 remaining. However Allen Dailey recovered Dunn’s onside kick, and the Wildcats (5-6) ran out the clock. Coach Mark Stoops bought a Gatorade tub following the crew’s second straight win, which ended a tumultuous season that included Schlarman’s dying following a two-year battle with most cancers.

“John was positively trying down on us; Coach Schlarman positively impressed us all,” mentioned Rose, who was named Kentucky’s bowl sport MVP. “Offensive line did an important job right this moment. They have been shifting individuals throughout all day. I give credit score to all 5 of these guys.”

Kentucky completed with 281 yards on the bottom, serving to offset one of many nation’s worst passing assaults.

An enormous problem for the Wolfpack was enjoying with out 4 defensive starters. Security Tanner Ingle (suspended), defensive deal with Alim McNeil (choose out) and injured linebackers Payton Wilson and Drake Thomas missed the sport.

“These are 4 actually good run defenders towards a very good dashing offense,” NC State coach Dave Doeren mentioned. “We have been involved coming into the sport about it. Not that we stopped the run; we did not. However we did sufficient and stored them off the scoreboard sufficient to provide ourselves an opportunity.”

Zonovan Knight, who led the Wolfpack with 52 yards dashing and a landing, was named the shedding crew’s MVP.

Penalties have been an issue for each groups. There have been 11 unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and several other extra situations the place a flag might have been thrown.

“I bought to get them cleaned up and I’ll. That is not us; we’re not going to just accept that,” mentioned Stoops, who blamed a part of it on being unfamiliar with the Massive 12 officiating crew. “While you get in these bowl video games, you are not used to sure officers, and I’ve bought to do a greater job getting ready us for that.”

THE TAKEAWAY

North Carolina State: The Wolfpack have been trying to finish the season on a five-game successful streak. It will have been the primary time this system had achieved the feat since 1965.

Kentucky: The Wildcats gained their third bowl sport in as many seasons for the second time at school historical past. In addition they gained three straight between 2006 and 2008.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

North Carolina State virtually absolutely will fall out of the ultimate Associate Press College Football poll, which is scheduled to be launched following the nationwide championship sport on Jan. 11.

KEY INJURIES

North Carolina State: Junior heart Grant Gibson, who performed each snap within the common season, seemingly tore a ligament in his left knee whereas celebrating the crew’s first landing. Gibson and receiver CJ Riley jumped in unison, however Gibson crumpled to the bottom after his touchdown.

Kentucky: Kentucky cornerback Brandin Echols was knocked out within the third after getting walloped by teammate Vito Tisdale. Echols, a senior, appeared to vomit on the sector earlier than getting helped to the sideline.

UP NEXT

North Carolina State: Opens the 2021 season at dwelling towards USF on Sept. 2.

Kentucky: Opens at dwelling towards Louisiana-Monroe on Sept. Four. It will likely be 65-year-old coach Terry Bowden’s debut with the Warhawks.