No better way to win for defensive minded Mark Stoops than with his first UK shutout

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Quarterback Will Levis threw for 377 yards and two scores and ran for another touchdown. True freshmen receivers Dane Key and Barion Brown combined for 11 catches for 146 yards and one score. But it was the UK defense that played “lights out” according to Kentucky coach Mark Stoops after his team’s 31-0 win over Youngstown State.

It was the first shutout of the Stoops’ era and first for Kentucky since it blanked Miami of Ohio in Cincinnati in 2009 for coach Rich Brooks. It was the first shutout in Lexington since 1996 during coach Bill Curry’s final season.

Youngstown State had only 192 yards of total offense — and 64 yards came on one screen pass — and had the football for just 22 minutes. The Penguins had one great chance to score but Carrington Valentine made an interception off a deflected pass in the end zone to snuff that chance.

Defensive coordinator Brad White got a lot of national praise last week when his defense did not allow Florida to score in the second half of UK’s 26-16 win over the Gators.

White said “nobody was more excited” than his starters when UK defensive reserves preserved the shutout late in the game.

“They were telling the young guys, ‘You don’t understand. We have been trying for five years to put a doughnut (zero) on the scoreboard. It is hard,'” White said. “We just have not been able to see it. Something always pops us. They were so excited.”

The defense set the tone early by forcing Youngstown State into three-and-outs while the UK offense was trying to get into rhythm. The Penguins had two sacks and four tackles for loss on UK’s first two possessions. In the first quarter alone they had six tackles for loss, two sacks and one interception. Youngstown State finished the game with 10 tackles for loss, four quarterback sacks, two interceptions and one fumble recovery.

“Their run game can put some pressure on you. Our guys up front really were stout and in good position,” Stoops said.

Stoops said Valentine is a “competitor” who is aggressive on his technique.

“But that’s who he is. He is a competitor. He responded (after he got beat) and got a pick. He has a short memory and has to at that position,” Stoops said.

Valentine also broke up what looked like a certain touchdown catch in the end zone when he ripped the ball out of the receiver’s hands.

“I didn’t know this was the first shutout in Lexington until I heard on the sideline,” Valentine said. “That meant a lot.”

Well, actually the first for Stoops and first in the new Kroger Field but not the first shutout ever in Lexington. However, don’t fault him. The last one under Curry was 26 years ago — before Valentine was even born.

“I felt like the unit played really — still hard and aggressive, you know, really, the entire game,” Stoops said. “And if you don’t, you’re not going to get the shutout. Even when we gave up some yards or some plays or got it down there, they dug in.”

There could not have been a better game to do it, either. Stoops was honored before the game for becoming UK’s all-time winningest coach when the Cats won at Florida. His mother, brothers, sisters and friends from Youngstown, Ohio, his hometown, were all there. For a defensive minded coach like Stoops, a shutout is extra special.

“Any time you shut anyone out, it’s, obviously, a really good effort and a big deal,” Stoops said. “And I credit our coaches and our players for playing a complete game.”

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