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Kentucky

BY THE NUMBERS: Previewing Kentucky vs. Eastern Michigan

by: Jeff Drummond8 hours agoJDrumUK
1 - EMU tries to strip UK RB _MG00198
Kentucky battled Eastern Michigan during the 2019 season. (Jeff Drummond/Cats Illustrated)

In our weekly pregame feature, Cats Illustrated breaks down some of the intriguing numbers behind Saturday’s matchup between Kentucky and Eastern Michigan…

1 – Bluegrass State native on the Eastern Michigan roster, quarterback Bryce Button from Bowling Green’s South Warren High School. The Eagles also have a former Kentucky Wildcat on the roster in tight end Tanner Lemaster.

2-0 – Cats lead the all-time series with the Eagles, winning 24-20 in 2017 and 28-17 in 2019. Both games were at Kroger Field. Kentucky is 35-9-1 all-time against teams from the MAC.

4 – Former Eastern Michigan players on active NFL rosters, including Maxx Crosby (Las Vegas Raiders), Pat O’Connor (Detroit Lions), Chad Ryland (Arizona Cardinals), and Andrew Wylie (Washington
Commanders). Crosby also moonlights as the EMU general manager.

9/31 – First-time starters and first-time game action for players on the Eagles’ roster this season.

0-11 – Eastern Michigan’s all-time record against SEC opponents.

12th – Year at EMU for head coach Chris Creighton, who owns a 57-77 record.

20 of last 21 – Wins for UK in non-conference play.

23 – SEC-leading tackles for Kentucky inside linebacker Alex Afari.

40.0 – Points per game allowed by the EMU defense. The Eagles rank 131st nationally in total defense. Only three teams in FBS rank lower.

50-7 – The Wildcats’ record under Mark Stoops when holding the opponent to 20 or fewer points.

51 – Pounds of the Eastern Michigan Wrench, which the players hold up on the sideline after forcing a turnover. It’s a symbol of the program’s blue-collar mindset and the people of Ypsilanti, Mich.

111 – Yards rushing needed by Kentucky running back Dante Dowdell to reach 1,000 for his college career.

121st – Kentucky’s national rank in passing offense at 136 ypg. EMU ranks 95th nationally against the pass at 231.0 ypg.

196.0 – Rushing yards per game by the Wildcats. That ranks 44th nationally. EMU ranks 133rd (next to last in FBS) in stopping the run at 311.5 ypg.

11/25/2023 – The last time UK had a player (Devin Leary) with three or more touchdown passes.