NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A Kentucky football roster decimated by opt-outs, injuries and transfers looked overmatched in a 21-0 loss to Iowa in the 2022 Music City Bowl.
The loss snapped the nation’s longest active nonconference winning streak at 20 games, which included four consecutive bowl victories for the Wildcats. Iowa was able to obtain some revenge for Kentucky’s Citrus Bowl win last season as the two teams bookended 2022 with bowl games against each other on New Year’s Day and New Year’s Eve.
UK was shut out for the first time since a 21-0 loss to Georgia on Oct. 19, 2019.
Kentucky quarterback Will Levis, running back Chris Rodriguez and cornerback Carrington Valentine all opted out of the game. Seven Wildcats who played in the regular-season finale against Louisville were unavailable after entering the transfer portal. Tight end Josh Kattus, defensive lineman Kahlil Saunders and linebacker DeAndre Square were among the players who sat out with injuries.
With those normal contributors unavailable and facing a top-10 ranked Iowa defense, Kentucky’s offense advanced past midfield just twice in its first 12 drives. Freshman quarterback Destin Wade, a Nashville-area native who was making his collegiate debut, threw two interceptions that were returned for touchdowns, ruining any chance that Kentucky’s own strong defensive performance could lead the Wildcats to victory.
Wade completed 16 for 30 passes in the game for 98 yards and two interceptions. He also gained 29 yards on 16 carries.
Turning point
The game was playing out according to script for Kentucky until Iowa tight end Sam LaPorta broke six tackles on the way to a 27-yard gain on the first play of an Iowa drive that started near midfield in the second quarter. On the next play, Iowa quarterback Joey Labas hit tight end Luke Lachey, who broke another tackle to run 15 yards into the end zone for the first touchdown of the game. The first play of Kentucky’s ensuing drive ended with an interception from safety Xavier Nwankpa returned 52 yards for a touchdown to give Iowa two touchdowns in just 11 seconds of game time.
MVP: Tory Taylor
Special teams were always going to be essential in what was likely to be a low-scoring affair, and Iowa had a clear advantage there thanks to All-American punter Tory Taylor. Taylor averaged 48.3 yards per punt in the game, helping the Hawkeyes consistently flip the field even as their own offense floundered.
Key stat
A game that featured two top-20 defenses against two sub-100 offenses missing their normal starting quarterbacks always figured to be a slugfest, but the offensive performances might have been even uglier than feared. Kentucky and Iowa combined for just seven offensive points and 391 yards on the afternoon. The teams combined for 18 punts and 20 first downs. Iowa won despite going 0 for 13 on third and fourth down.
