Total Yards
Kentucky380
NC State318
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Data sourced from NCAA game stats archive (2020)
Game Center
NC State at Kentucky
Jan 2, 2021 • Completed • Neutral Site
TaxSlayer Gator Bowl
Season 2020PostseasonWeek 1
Away
NC State
ACC
Final Score
21 - 23
NSK
Home
Kentucky
SEC
Game Pulse
Immediate edge indicators from the box score.
Passing Yards
Kentucky99
NC State268
Rushing Yards
Kentucky281
NC State50
Turnovers
Kentucky0
NC State3
Game Conditions
Temperature77°F
Wind13 mph SW
Humidity
51%
Precipitation
0.00 in
Player Game Leaders
Top individual performers and full player box data.
Full Player Box
Box Score Comparison
Kentucky vs NC State box score comparison chart
Possession Split
Possession split chart
Kentucky33:59
NC State25:58
Stat Dominance
Team comparison across key performance areas
Radar chart comparing team performance across key metrics
Game Story
Kentucky edges NC State 23-21
Kentucky defeated NC State 23-21 in Week 1 of the 2020 postseason slate, finishing with a 380-318 edge in total yards, and scoring 0 passing touchdowns and 2 rushing touchdowns.
Kentucky set the terms early in a game that finished 23-21. Matt Ruffolo 25 Yd Field Goal came with {'seconds': 0, 'minutes': 6} left in the first quarter, giving Kentucky the first major swing.
Kentucky's box score carried the story: 380 total yards, 281 rushing yards, and 99 passing yards. NC State finished with 318 total yards, including 50 on the ground and 268 through the air.
Kentucky converted 3-13 on third down, went 1-2 on fourth down, the turnover count was 0-3, Kentucky led 13-0 at halftime. The explosive highlight was Matt Ruffolo 26 Yd Field Goal.
Key Moments
Field Goal Good
Matt Ruffolo 25 Yd Field Goal (Kentucky led 3-0 over NC State).
Rushing Touchdown
Chris Rodriguez Jr. 4 Yd Run (Matt Ruffolo Kick) (Kentucky led 10-0 over NC State).
Field Goal Good
Matt Ruffolo 26 Yd Field Goal (Kentucky led 13-0 over NC State).
Passing Touchdown
C.J. Riley 9 Yd pass from Bailey Hockman (Christopher Dunn Kick) (NC State led 7-13 over Kentucky).
Rushing Touchdown
Chris Rodriguez Jr. run for 26 yds for a TD (Matt Ruffolo KICK) (Kentucky led 23-14 over NC State).
Rushing Touchdown
Zonovan Knight run for 13 yds for a TD (NC State led 14-16 over Kentucky).
Stat Callouts
Final score
23-21
Kentucky defeated NC State.
Total yards
380-318
Kentucky held the yardage advantage.
Rushing yards
281
Kentucky averaged 5.9 yards per rush attempt.
Passing yards
99
Kentucky averaged 5 yards per pass attempt.
Third downs
3-13
Kentucky's conversion rate helped sustain possessions.
Opponent third downs
5-12
NC State's offense worked through that conversion rate.
Turnovers
0-3
Turnover totals are listed winner first.
Analysis
Game Breakdown
| Statistic | Kentucky | NC State |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 380 | 318 |
| Passing Yards | 99 | 268 |
| Rushing Yards | 281 | 50 |
| First Downs | 19 | 19 |
| Third Down Efficiency | 3-13 | 5-12 |
| Fourth Down Efficiency | 1-2 | 2-2 |
| Total Penalties (Yards) | 10-103 | 7-45 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 3 |
| Completions / Attempts | 12-20 | 27-40 |
| Rushing Attempts | 48 | 26 |
| Passing TDs | 0 | 1 |
| Rushing TDs | 2 | 2 |
| Kicking Points | 11 | 3 |
| Possession Time | 33:59 | 25:58 |