Number 8 Kentucky hosts Northern Illinois on Saturday, September 24. The game will be streamed live on fuboTV (livestream) and DirecTV Stream (free trial).
Cleaner play would please Kentucky coach Mark Stoops.
While the No. 8 Wildcats (3-0) have had good times reaching their highest ranking since 2007, they have not been consistent. Sanctions, sacks and fumbles have at times brought the offensive flow to a halt, while turnover abruptly halted the momentum.
With Southeastern Conference game resuming next week at number 16 Mississippi, Stoops wants his team to stop leaving points on the field and put them on the board during Saturday night’s non-conference meeting with Northern Illinois (1-2) .
Kentucky’s record gave encouragement and last week’s 31-0 shutout against FCS Youngstown State was a dominant performance.
The Wildcats defeated the Penguins 480-192 to record their first shutout since 2009. The defense denied all 12 third- and fourth-down chances, and Carrington Valentine’s end-zone interception kept the shutout.
Kentucky hasn’t scored a point in six quarters, a span of nearly 96 minutes. Meanwhile, quarterback Will Levis is coming off a 377-yard passing performance, his second 300-yard attempt in three games.
It took some of the sting out of his two interceptions that offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello believes are the result of the QB’s eagerness to make plays.
When is Kentucky Northern Illinois?
Kentucky plays Saturday, September 24 at 6 p.m. (7 p.m. ET) in Northern Illinois.
Live Stream Options
FuboTV
The game will be streamed live on fuboTV, which offers a free trial. The most basic plan is the “fubo standard” package, which includes over 121 channels for $69.99 per month. Like all cord cutting alternatives, there are plenty of options, especially for sports. It comes with over 1,000 hours of cloud-based DVR and up to 10 screens simultaneously.
Direct TV Stream
DirecTV Stream offers a free trial.
There are four options for DirecTV Stream:
The entertainment package, which consists of 65+ channels, costs $54.99 until the promotion ends on April 30. It’s the basic package for unmissable entertainment – including ESPN, TNT, Nickelodeon and HGTV.
The Choice Package has over 90 channels and costs $74.99 during the promotion. The channels in ENTERTAINMENT, plus MLB Network, NBA TV, college sports networks and more. Enjoy regional sports networks at no extra cost.
The ultimate package has over 130 channels and costs $89.99 during the promotion. Everything in CHOICE, plus Oxygen, Golf Channel, NHL Network, Universal Kids and more.
The Premier package has over 140 channels and costs $134.99 during the promotion. Everything in ULTIMATE, plus HBO Max, SHOWTIME, STARZ, Cinemax and more.
DirecTV Stream offers a free trial that doesn’t require much effort.
To sign up, enter a phone number, email, and credit card, and you’ll receive five days of free service.
In addition, enhance your experience with the DirecTV Stream device. While it doesn’t include a free trial, it gives you access to thousands of apps like Netflix and more on Google Play. You can search using the voice remote control with Google Assistant and you can enjoy a traditional live TV channel guide. It is sold separately.
Will it be televised?
Kentucky-Northern Illinois will be broadcast on ESPN2.
Example
THREATS RECEIVED: Freshman Dane Key and transfer Tayvion Robinson give Kentucky the reception it sought a year after everything went to Wan’dale Robinson. They each took 13 passes for 226 and 202 yards, respectively, and Key has three touchdowns. Barion Brown is third with nine receptions for 99 yards.
QUARTERBACK DEPTH: Rocky Lombardi is listed as NIU’s starter, although freshman Ethan Hampton helped with a 1-2 punch against Vanderbilt last week. The two combined to complete the Huskies’ first 14 passes for three TDs and build a 28-14 lead. Hampton threw two of those scores, including a 70-yard catch-and-run by Cole Tucker.
MORE PRESSURE: Kentucky’s three interceptions lead the SEC and it ranks third in total defense (253.7 yards allowed per game). The Wildcats are in the middle when it comes to sacks and tackles for loss, but Stoops believes those phases will come together.
“Part of that is we have to go home,” he said of the pass rush. “But part of it is they get the ball out, are creative and don’t just sit back. They will come if we keep playing at a really high level. They’re playing pretty strong now.”
WEATHER OUT: Leading tackler JJ Weaver will miss the game and is being evaluated after injuring his left arm last week. Jordan Wright will take the place of Weaver’s outer linebacker while Alex Afari Jr. starts in Wright’s place with Keaten Wade backing up both positions.
HUSKIE HOLDOVER: NIU senior linebacker Kyle Pugh is third on the team with 23 tackles in his unprecedented eighth FBS season. He missed last fall after a spring knee injury and had the 2017 and ’19 seasons shortened due to other injuries. Pugh, 25, was given another season in 2020 due to COVID-19, earning his second All-MAC roster.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
0 Comments