Iowa football vs. Kentucky score: Citrus Bowl live updates, how to watch on TV and online

Iowa Hawkeyes defensive end Joe Evans (13) and Iowa Hawkeyes defensive lineman Logan Jones (95) celebrate a sack at the Vrbo Citrus Bowl on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla. (Geoff Stellfox/The Gazette)

No. 15 Iowa rallied from a 13-3 halftime deficit to take the lead in the fourth quarter, but No. 22 Kentucky stormed back to win the Citrus Bowl 20-17 Saturday at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla.

Chris Rodriguez scored the winning touchdown on a 6-yard run with 1:48 to go, and Spencer Petras was intercepted on Iowa’s final drive.

The Hawkeyes outgained the Wildcats 384-354 but committed three turnovers to UK’s one. Petras was 19 of 30 for 211 yards, a touchdown and three picks. Sam LaPorta was his top target, with seven catches for 122 yards and a TD. Gavin Williams ran for a career-high 98 yards on 16 carries.

Rodriguez rushed 20 times for 107 yards for Kentucky. Wan’Dale Robinson, who set up the winning score with a 52-yard catch, totaled 170 yards on 10 receptions and was named MVP of the game. QB Will Levis was 17 of 28 for 233 yards, a TD and an INT.

The Hawkeyes finished the season 10-4, Kentucky 10-3.

» Box score: No. 22 Kentucky 20, No. 15 Iowa 17 in Citrus Bowl

» Recap: Kentucky beats Iowa in Citrus Bowl with late touchdown, Petras interception

» Hlas column: For Hawkeyes, opportunities lost — Citrus Bowl and season

» Game Report: A closer look at Iowa’s Citrus Bowl loss to Kentucky

» Reaction: Spencer Petras asks Iowa fans to ‘remember that I’m a human being’

» Gallery: 28 photos from Iowa’s Citrus Bowl loss to Kentucky

4th Quarter updates

0:48 4th: Kentucky 20, Iowa 17

The Hawkeyes drove to the Kentucky 40 and were nearing field goal range, but Spencer Petras was pressured and overthrew a pass that was intercepted by a diving Deandre Square. Ballgame.

1:48 4th: Kentucky 20, Iowa 17

A former Nebraska player haunts Iowa. Kentucky’s Wan’Dale Robinson hauled in a 17-yard pass on third-and-10 despite taking a big hit. He caught a 10-yard pass on second-and-10 later in the drive, then two plays later got free for a 52-yard catch to the goal line.

Robinson’s work set up the go-ahead score, a 6-yard Chris Rodriguez run after a false-start penalty backed the Wildcats up. All in all, it was an eight-play, 80-yard drive.

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3:31 4th: Iowa 17, Kentucky 13

Iowa went three-and-out as Kentucky used its three timeouts. The Hawkeyes couldn’t convert on third-and-1 and Tory Taylor’s punt went into the end zone.

3:59 4th: Iowa 17, Kentucky 13

It’s been a breakout game for Jermari Harris, including what could be the game-deciding drive. He broke up a second-down pass, then intercepted Will Levis’ fourth-and-10 throw at the Iowa 36 as the Hawkeyes forced a second-straight turnover on downs. It was three straight incompetions, then the pick after the Wildcats picked up a first down via a pass interference penalty on Riley Moss.

5:58 4th: Iowa 17, Kentucky 13

Iowa went three-and-out after the turnover on downs and Kentucky took over at the UK 11. All-America center Tyler Linderbaum limped off the field with an apparent left leg injury after the Hawkeyes were unable to convert on third-and-1.

7:13 4th: Iowa 17, Kentucky 13

Another big-time play from the Iowa defense, and Zach VanValkenburg in particular. He brought down JuTahn McClain for no gain on fourth-and-1 from the Iowa 35 to force a turnover on downs. That halted a seven-play, 40-yard UK drive.

10:54 4th: Iowa 17, Kentucky 13

Iowa has the lead. On play-action, Spencer Petras threw to Sam LaPorta in the backfield and the tight end did the rest, taking it 36 yards for a go-ahead touchdown.

It was a nine-play, 92-yard drive for the Hawkeyes that started with a 19-yard Gavin Williams run and included two third-down conversions.

14:09 4th: Kentucky 13, Iowa 10

Iowa started the final quarter with a big stop. Zach VanValkenburg pressured Will Levis on third-and-5 from the Iowa 49 and Jack Campbell brought the QB down for a 1-yard gain. The Wildcats punted and the Hawkeyes took over at their 8.

3rd Quarter updates

3:21 3rd: Kentucky 13, Iowa 10

Iowa came up empty on a promising drive a few minutes prior, but made up for it quickly. Arland Bruce IV took a third-down end around 20 yards to the end zone.

It was a six-play, 50-yard drive that included runs of 8 and 12 yards from Leshon Williams.

6:07 3rd: Kentucky 13, Iowa 3

Iowa’s defense, like it has most of this season, continues to keep the Hawkeyes in the game. Iowa delivered a three-and-out after the turnover on downs, featuring a Noah Shannon sack. The next Iowa drive starts at the 50.

7:47 3rd: Kentucky 13, Iowa 3

Iowa produced its two longest plays of the game on this drive. And yet the seven-play, 69-yard possession ended with no points. Gavin Williams started with runs of 18 and 8 yards, then Spencer Petras delivered a 34-yard pass to Sam LaPorta. The Hawkeyes went for it on fourth-and-1 from the 11, but Petras never got a hold of the snap and fell behind the line of scrimmage for a turnover on downs.

10:31 3rd: Kentucky 13, Iowa 3

Kentucky started the half with three Chris Rodriguez runs for 19 yards and converted a third-and-1 with an offside penalty, but the Iowa defense settled in and came up with a stop near midfield. Logan Lee had a sack and Lukas Van Ness tripped up a scrambling Will Levis on third-and-14.

2nd Quarter updates

Half: Kentucky 13, Iowa 3

Iowa got to the Kentucky 47, but couldn’t move into field goal range. Spencer Petras’ Hail Marry pass was intercepted by Quadre Mosely to end the half.

0:38 2nd: Kentucky 13, Iowa 3

Matt Ruffolo kicked a 27-yard field goal after the interception. Jack Koener made sure it wasn’t worse for Iowa, breaking up a third-down pass in the end zone.

2:09 2nd: Kentucky 10, Iowa 3

Could be a major play here if the Kentucky offense can take advantage. Spencer Petras’ second-and-11 pass was tipped at the line by Jordan Wright and picked off by D’Eryk Jackson at the Iowa 34.

2:48 2nd: Kentucky 10, Iowa 3

Matt Ruffolo added to the Wildcats’ lead with a 21-yard field goal.

Back-to-back sacks from Joe Evans and Zach VanValkenburg appeared to set Iowa up for a big stop, but instead Kentucky converted a third-and-26 from its 46 with a 34-yard Will Levis pass to Wan’Dale Robinson. The Wildcats reached the 2, but Deontae Craig and Jack Koener teamed up to bring Levis down for a loss of 1 on third-and-2.

11:03 2nd: Kentucky 7, Iowa 3

Iowa put together a solid 10-play, 55-yard drive but had to settle for a 28-yard Caleb Shudak field goal. After a false start on Connor Colby, Spencer Petras’ third-and-9 pass from the 10 was dropped by Arland Bruce IV, although he wouldn’t have had enough for the first down anyway.

Gavin Williams was impressive on the drive, rushing four times for 20 yards. The tight ends were key, too, with Petras hitting Luke Lachey for a 15-yard gain and later finding Sam LaPorta for 13 yards.

1st Quarter updates

0:44 1st: Kentucky 7, Iowa 0

Completely different story on Kentucky’s second drive. The Wildcats rushed twice for minus-1 and 1 yard, then Zach VanValkenburg sacked Will Levis on third-and-10 for a loss of 8. After a 54-yard Colin Goodfelow punt, the Hawkeyes took over at their 32.

2:52 1st: Kentucky 7, Iowa 0

The Hawkeyes picked up a first down via a holding penalty but couldn’t convert on third-and-2 when Spencer Petras’ pass went between two possible receivers. Tory Taylor’s punt went 44 yards to the UK 22.

5:32 1st: Kentucky 7, Iowa 0

Kentucky’s opening drive was a successful one, with quarterback Will Levis completing all six of his passes for 41 yards. The sixth was a 5-yard toss to Chris Rodriguez for a touchdown. The Wildcats drove 80 yards on 13 plays. Rodriguez also ran four times for 28 yards.

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13:00 1st: Iowa 0, Kentucky 0

The first play from scrimmage was a positive start for Iowa, with Spencer Petras fitting in a 12-yard pass to Sam LaPorta. Petras also completed a third-and-5 pass, but Arland Bruce IV was flattened by Vito Tisdale for a gain of just 3 and the Hawkeyes punted.

Pregame storylines

Sure, there are bigger games on the schedule Saturday. There certainly were bigger games on Friday. And, as Mike Hlas writes, “the bowl system is sort of silly.”

Still, “don’t tell teams the games don’t matter.”

Indeed, winning the Citrus would be sweet fruit for the Hawkeyes.

How can they do it? John Steppe writes in his analysis that the Wildcats’ balanced offense will challenge a stout Iowa defense.

With starting running back Tyler Goodson opting out, John writes, “the Goodson-less offense is going to need an improved showing from the Nebraska and Michigan games.”

In Goodson’s place will be a number of backs, including Ivory Kelly-Martin, whose roller-coaster Iowa career looks to end on a high.

The Hawkeyes announced before kickoff they’ll also be without receiver Kegan Johnson.