Kentucky vs. Missouri: Numbers You Need to Know, presented by Eckrich

A pair of 5-1 teams meet under the lights at Kroger Field. Ahead of the highly-anticipated Saturday night showdown between Kentucky and Missouri, take a closer look at all of the stats, facts and numbers you need to know about the SEC East matchup.

But first, a message from our friends at Eckrich. Eckrich is proud to present the $1 Million Challenge for Teachers! This 2023 college football season Eckrich, in partnership with Extra Yard for Teachers and Kroger, will invite a local teacher (and true hero) onto the field at the Kentucky vs. Alabama game on November 11^th. 

The selected teacher, randomly selected from a list of nominations, will have a chance to throw a football through a target to win up to $1 million dollars in donations to fund local classroom projects and resources in their school and community. Nominate a teacher here for a chance to throw! Make sure to nominate your teacher by October 26^th.

4 — Interceptions by first-year starter Max Hairston, tied for the most in the SEC. THe Kentucky cornerback has returned two picks to the end zone for touchdowns.

5 — Games in the series decided by one score or less since 2015. Kentucky won all five games and has taken seven of the last eight against the Tigers.

6.66 — Yards per play by the Kentucky offense ranks No. 25 nationally. The Wildcats ranked 120th in total plays, the fewest by any team that’s played six games.

7 — Sacks allowed by the Big Blue Wall ranked third in the SEC, one spot ahead of Missouri, who’s allowed Brady Cook to be taken down only 11 times.

7.18 — Yards per carry by Ray Davis. His 653 rushing yards are the most in the SEC and rank ninth in the FBS. He has 8 rushing touchdowns and leads the Cats with 4 receiving touchdowns.

10 — Takeaways by the Kentucky defense are the second-most in the SEC. The Cats have a +3 turnover margin.

18 — Plays of 30+ yards by the Missouri offense this season rank fourth in the SEC and are one ahead of the Wildcats.

38 — Kentucky’s average starting field position is the fifth-best in college football.

44.05 — Percent of the time Kentucky’s opponents convert on third down. The Wildcats’ third down defense ranks 12th out of 14 SEC teams.

45.9 — Completion percentage by Devin Leary in SEC play. Brady Cook has completed 75% of his passes in two SEC games.

124 — What Missouri ranks in total EPA against the pass. Their pass offense is on the opposite end of the spectrum in that category, ranking 6th in EPA when slinging the football.

132.2 — Receiving yards per game by Missouri’s Luther Burden are the most in the country. He averages 9 receptions per game and has had at least 100 receiving yards in every game since week 2.

366 — Pass consecutive attempts by Brady Cook without an interception came to an end last week against LSU. The Missouri quarterback holds the SEC record.