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2018 Kentucky Wildcats football
Citrus Bowl champion
Citrus Bowl, W 27–24 vs. Penn State
Conference	Southeastern Conference
Division	Eastern Division
Ranking
Coaches	No. 11
AP	No. 12
Record	10–3 (5–3 SEC)
Head coach	Mark Stoops (6th season)
Offensive coordinator	Eddie Gran (3rd season)
Co-offensive coordinator	Darin Hinshaw (3rd season)
Offensive scheme	Spread
Defensive coordinator	Matt House (2nd season)
Base defense	3–4 or 4–3
Home stadium	Kroger Field
Seasons← 20172019 →

The 2018 Kentucky Wildcats football team represented the University of Kentucky in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Wildcats played their home games at Kroger Field in Lexington, Kentucky and competed in the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). They were led by sixth-year head coach Mark Stoops.

The season was one of the most successful in Kentucky's history. In Kentucky's second game of the season, the team ended the then-longest current losing streak in an uninterrupted series in FBS when they defeated Florida for the first time since 1986, and the first time in Gainesville since 1979, ending a losing streak of 31 games. Two weeks later, the Wildcats upset No. 14 Mississippi State, and entered the AP Poll for the first time since 2007. Kentucky ended the regular season tied for second in the SEC East Division with a conference record of 5–3. They were invited to the Citrus Bowl, where they defeated No. 13 Penn State, their first bowl win since 2008. Kentucky ended the season with a record of 10–3 and were ranked 12th in the final AP Poll, the most wins and highest poll finish for the program since 1977.

The team's highly touted defense was anchored by unanimous All-American linebacker Josh Allen, who was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year and led the conference in sacks and tackles for loss. Allen won several national awards for defensive excellence, including the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, and the Lott Trophy; he became the first Kentucky player to receive any of these awards. On offense, the team was led by first-team All-SEC running back Benny Snell, who finished second in the conference in rushing with 1,449 yards and 16 touchdowns. Offensive lineman Bunchy Stallings was also named first-team all-conference. Quarterback Terry Wilson led the team in passing, finishing with 1,889 yards and 11 touchdowns. Head coach Mark Stoops was named SEC Coach of the Year.

Offseason

Spring game

The spring game took place on April 13 at Kroger Field.

Departures

2018 signing class

The 2018 football recruiting cycle was the first in which the NCAA authorized two signing periods for high school seniors in that sport. In addition to the traditional spring period starting with National Signing Day on February 7, 2018, a new early signing period was introduced, with the first such period falling from December 20–22, 2017.

Notably, the Wildcats did not sign a single in-state player in their 2018 class—the first time this had happened since 1940.

College recruiting information (2018)
Name	Hometown	High school / college	Height	Weight	Commit date
Marvin Alexander #110 WR	Hollywood, FL	Chaminade-Madonna Prep	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	175 lb (79 kg)	Feb 21, 2017
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Brenden Bates #25 TE	Cincinnati, OH	Moeller High School	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	230 lb (100 kg)	Mar 10, 2017
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Jamari Brown #74 CB	Pompano Beach, FL	Blanche Ely High School	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	180 lb (82 kg)	Aug 17, 2017
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Allen Dailey #111 WR	Pinson, AL	Pinson Valley High School	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	195 lb (88 kg)	Jan 21, 2018
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Stanley Garner #46 DB	Fort Lauderdale, FL	Dillard High School	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	180 lb (82 kg)	Aug 16, 2017
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Davoan Hawkins #37 DE	Hollywood, FL	Chaminade-Madonna Prep	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	270 lb (120 kg)	Feb 21, 2017
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Akeem Hayes #82 ATH	Hollywood, FL	Chaminade-Madonna Prep	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	175 lb (79 kg)	Jun 20, 2017
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Kenneth Horsey #53 OG	Sanford, FL	Seminole High School	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	326 lb (148 kg)	Dec 12, 2017
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Darian Kinnard #22 OT	Cleveland, OH	St. Ignatius High School	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	Apr 30, 2017
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Nick Lewis #70 OT	Jacksonville, FL	Bolles School	6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)	350 lb (160 kg)	Jan 22, 2018
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Jerquavion Mahone #69 DT	Manchester, GA	Manchester High School	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	299 lb (136 kg)	Dec 12, 2017
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Marquan McCall #6 OG	Oak Park, MI	Oak Park	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	320 lb (150 kg)	May 8, 2017
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Christopher Oats #22 LB	Cincinnati, OH	Winton Woods High School	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	215 lb (98 kg)	Feb 7, 2017
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Bryce Oliver #162 WR	Fort Lauderdale, FL	Dillard High School	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	205 lb (93 kg)	Dec 20, 2017
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Chris Rodriguez Jr. #64 RB	McDonough, Georgia	Ola High School	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	200 lb (91 kg)	Jul 30, 2017
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Kavosiey Smoke #55 RB	Wetumpka, AL	Wetumpka High School	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	215 lb (98 kg)	Feb 7, 2018
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
DeAndre Square #37 S	Detroit, MI	Cass Technical High School	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	200 lb (91 kg)	Jun 16, 2017
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Keaton Upshaw #34 TE	Lima, OH	Lima Senior High School	6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)	225 lb (102 kg)	Jul 1, 2017
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Terry Wilson #3 QB (JUCO)	Oklahoma City, OK	Garden City Community College	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	195 lb (88 kg)	Dec 10, 2017
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Quintin Wilson #12 C	Cincinnati, OH	Turpin High School	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	290 lb (130 kg)	May 14, 2017
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Domonique Williams #20 CB (JUCO)	Knoxville, TN	Highland Community College	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	190 lb (86 kg)	Jun 15, 2017
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Overall recruiting rankings:
Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, 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: "2018 Kentucky Football Commitment List". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 1, 2017. "2018 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 1, 2017. "2018 Kentucky Wildcats football team". 247sports.com. Retrieved February 1, 2017.

Preseason

Award watch lists

Listed in the order that they were released

SEC media poll

The SEC media poll was released on July 20, 2018 with the Wildcats predicted to finish in fifth place in the East Division.

Preseason All-SEC teams

The Wildcats had four players selected to the preseason all-SEC teams.

Schedule

Personnel

Coaching staff

Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops enters his sixth season as the Wildcat's head coach for the 2018 season. During his previous five seasons he led the Wildcats to an overall record of 26 wins and 36 losses.

Roster

2018 Kentucky Wildcats football team roster
Players			Coaches
Offense Pos. # Name Class WR 1 Lynn Bowden So WR 2 Dorian Baker Sr QB 3 Terry Wilson So RB 5 Sihiem King Sr WR 6 Blake Bone Sr QB 8 Danny Clark Fr RB 10 A. J. Rose So WR 11 Tavin Richardson Jr QB 12 Gunnar Hoak So WR 13 Zy'Aire Hughes So WR 14 Ahmad Wagner Jr QB 15 Kolbe Langhi Fr QB 17 Walker Wood Fr WR 18 Clevan Thomas So WR 19 Akeem Hayes Fr RB 20 Kavosiey Smoke Fr WR 23 Brayden Berezowitz Jr RB 24 Chris Rodriguez Jr. Fr WR 25 Brett Slusher Jr RB 26 Benny Snell Jr WR 27 Bryan Berezowitz Jr RB 28 Zach Johnson Jr WR 29 Zac Berezowitz Fr RB 30 Donald Smith So WR 31 Darren Edmond Fr RB 32 Tyler Markray Fr WR 33 David Bouvier Sr WR 35 John Daido So WR 36 Patrick Henschen So WR 37 Tyler Beisner Fr TE 46 Drew Schlegel Jr WR 48 Will Crum Fr C 52 Drake Jackson So FR 60 Quintin Wilson Fr G 61 Austin Dotson So G 62 Tyler Couch Fr G 64 George Asafo-Adjei Sr G 65 Jervontius Stallings Sr OT 66 Naasir Watkins Fr OT 67 Landon Young   Jr G 68 Kenneth Horsey Fr G 71 Logan Stenberg Jr G 72 E.J. Price So OT 73 Matthew Napier Fr OT 76 Sebastien Dolcine Fr OT 77 Mason Wolfe So OT 78 Nick Lewis Fr OT 79 Luke Fortner So TE 80 Brenden Bates Fr WR 81 Isaiah Epps So WR 82 Josh Ali So TE 83 Justin Rigg Jr WR 84 B.J. Alexander Fr WR 84 Bryce Oliver Fr TE 87 C. J. Conrad Sr TE 88 Keaton Upshaw Fr WR 89 Allen Dailey Fr	Defense Pos. # Name Class S 3 Jordan Griffin Jr DE 4 Josh Paschal So CB 6 Lonnie Johnson Jr. Sr S 7 Mike Edwards Sr CB 8 Derrick Baity Sr S 9 Davonte Robinson So LB 15 Jordan Wright Fr DE 20 Kengera Daniel Sr CB 21 Chris Westry Sr LB 22 Chris Oats Fr S 23 Tyrell Ajian Fr S 25 Darius West Sr CB 26 Michael Nesbitt Fr CB 27 Cedrick Dort Fr S 29 Yusuf Corker Fr CB 30 Domonique Williams Jr LB 31 Jamar Watkins So LB 34 Jordan Jones Sr CB 35 Immanuel Bowie Fr LB 36 Ashtan Pierre  Fr CB 37 Stanley Garner Fr LB 38 William Nalty So LB 39 Elijah Barnett Jr LB 41 Josh Allen Sr LB 43 DeAndre Square Fr LB 44 Jamin Davis Fr LB 47 Harold Lacy So DE 49 Shawn Lawson Fr DT 50 Marquan McCall Fr DE 55 Davoan Hawkins Fr LB 56 Kash Daniel Jr LB 58 Alex King Fr DT 59 Kordell Looney So DE 90 T.J. Carter Jr DE 91 Calvin Taylor Jr DT 92 Phil Hoskins Jr DT 93 Jerquavion Mahone Fr DE 94 Abule Abadi-Fitzgerald Fr DT 95 Quinton Bohanna So DE 97 Chris Whittaker Fr DE 98 Tymere Dubose Sr DT 99 Adrian Middleton Sr	Special teams Pos. # Name Class LS 42 Tristan Yeomans Sr LS 53 Blake Best Jr P 86 Grant McKinniss Jr P 93 Max Duffy So PK 95 Miles Butler Sr	Head coach Mark Stoops Coordinators/assistant coaches Eddie Gran Offensive coordinator/running backs Darin Hinshaw Co-offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Matt House Defensive coordinator/inside linebackers Michael Smith Wide receivers Vince Marrow Tight ends/recruiting coordinator John Schlarman Offensive line Derrick LeBlanc Defensive line Steve Clinkscale Defensive backs Dean Hood Special teams/outside linebackers Corey Edmund Director of performance Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt Roster Last update: August 1, 2018

Game summaries

Central Michigan

at Kroger Field, Lexington, Kentucky

• Date: September 1, 2018
• Game time: 3:30 p.m. EST
• Game attendance: 49,138
• TV announcers (ESPNU): Kevin Brown (play-by-play), Andre Ware (analyst)

At No. 25 Florida

at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida

• Date: September 8, 2018
• Game time: 7:30 p.m. EST
• Game weather: Temperature: 79 °F (26 °C) • Wind: ESE at 1 mile per hour (1.6 km/h) • Weather: 81% humidity, partly cloudy
• Game attendance: 80,651
• Referee: David Smith
• TV announcers (SECN): Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (analyst), Cole Cubelic (sideline reporter)

This was Kentucky's first win over Florida since 1986.

Murray State

at Kroger Field, Lexington, Kentucky

• Date: September 15, 2018
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. EST
• Game attendance: 48,217
• TV announcers (SECN): Mike Morgan (play-by-play), John Congemi (analyst), Taylor Gray (sideline reporter)

No. 14 Mississippi State

at Kroger Field, Lexington, Kentucky

• Date: September 22, 2018
• Game time: 7:00 p.m. EST
• Game attendance: 60,037
• TV announcers (ESPN2): Beth Mowins (play-by-play), Anthony Becht (analyst), Rocky Boiman (sideline reporter)

South Carolina

at Kroger Field, Lexington, Kentucky

• Date: September 29, 2018
• Game time: 7:30 p.m. EST
• Game attendance: 63,081
• TV announcers (SECN): Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (analyst), Cole Cubelic (sideline reporter)

At Texas A&M

at Kyle Field, College Station, Texas

• Date: October 6, 2018
• Game time: 7:00 p.m. EST
• Game attendance: 99,829
• TV announcers (ESPN): Sean McDonough (play-by-play), Todd Blackledge (analyst), Holly Rowe (sideline reporter)

Vanderbilt

at Kroger Field, Lexington, Kentucky

• Date: October 20, 2018
• Game time: 7:30 p.m. EST
• Game attendance: 54,269
• TV announcers (SECN): Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (analyst), Cole Cubelic (sideline reporter)

At Missouri

at Faurot Field, Columbia, Missouri

• Date: October 27, 2018
• Game time: 4:00 p.m. EST
• Game attendance: 53,397
• TV announcers (SECN): Taylor Zarzour (play-by-play), Matt Stinchcomb (analyst), Kris Budden (sideline reporter)

No. 6 Georgia

at Kroger Field, Lexington, Kentucky

• Date: November 3, 2018
• Game time: 3:30 p.m. EST
• TV announcers (CBS): Carter Blackburn (play-by-play), Rick Neuheisel (co-analyst), Aaron Taylor (co-analyst), John Schriffen (sideline reporter)

At Tennessee

at Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tennessee

• Date: November 10, 2018
• Game time: 3:30 p.m. EST

Middle Tennessee

at Kroger Field, Lexington, Kentucky

• Date: November 17, 2018
• Game time: Noon EST
• Game attendance: 47,535
• TV: SECN Alternate

At Louisville

at Cardinal Stadium, Louisville, Kentucky

• Date: November 24, 2018
• Game time: 7:00 p.m. EST
• TV: ESPN2

Vs. Penn State (Citrus Bowl)

at Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida

• Date: January 1, 2019
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
• TV: ABC

Rankings

Players drafted into the NFL

Kentucky had five players selected in the 2019 NFL draft.

References

1. Lowery, Logan (September 12, 2024). "MSU fires Moorhead after two seasons". Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal. Retrieved September 17, 2024. All eight of Moorhead's victories in 2018 had to be vacated after 10 football players were reprimanded by the NCAA for academic misconduct involving a former part-time tutor and an online chemistry class.
2. "Kentucky stns No. 25 Florida; first win over Gators since '86". ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 8, 2018. Archived from the original on April 13, 2019. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
3. ^ "2018 Southeastern Conference Year Summary". Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 24, 2019. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
4. Rittenberg, Adam (May 8, 2017). "Collegiate Commissioners Association approves early signing period for football". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on May 9, 2017. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
5. Roush, Nick (April 11, 2018). "Kentucky Could Lose Rare In-State Recruiting Opportunity". Kentucky Sports Radio. Archived from the original on April 13, 2018. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
6. "2018 Watch List | Lott IMPACT Trophy | Honoring College Football's Defensive Best". lottimpacttrophy.org. Archived from the original on September 30, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
7. "2018 Bednarik Award Watch List". July 16, 2018. Archived from the original on July 16, 2018. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
8. "2018 Maxwell Award Watch List". July 16, 2018. Archived from the original on July 16, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
9. "2018 Doak Walker Award Candidates". July 18, 2018. Archived from the original on November 15, 2013. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
10. "2018 John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List Released" (PDF). July 20, 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 20, 2018. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
11. "Butkus Award - 2018 Collegiate Watchlist". The Butkus Award. July 23, 2018. Archived from the original on August 20, 2010. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
12. "Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Names 2018 Preseason Watchlist". July 23, 2018. Archived from the original on July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
13. "2018 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List". July 24, 2018. Archived from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
14. "43 PLAYERS NAMED TO 2018 PAUL HORNUNG AWARD WATCH LIST". July 26, 2018. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
15. "Wuerffel Trophy Unveils 2018 Watch List". July 26, 2018. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
16. Carbone, Al (July 27, 2018). "Walter Camp Football Foundation Announces 2018 Player of the Year Preseason "Watch List"". Archived from the original on July 30, 2018. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
17. "Media predicts Alabama to win 2018 SEC Championship". Archived from the original on July 22, 2018. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
18. "Football – 2015 Coaches". University of Kentucky Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Archived from the original on January 3, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2014.
19. "Kentucky beats Florida for first time since 1986". USA Today. Archived from the original on December 10, 2018. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
20. "2019 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. March 29, 2018. Retrieved November 23, 2024.

• 2018 Southeastern Conference football season
• Kentucky Wildcats football seasons
• Citrus Bowl champion seasons
• 2018 in sports in Kentucky