Two Kentucky football players sidelined for Citrus Bowl after car accident
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Citrus Bowl preview: Kentucky vs. Iowa
The University of Kentucky football team concludes its 2021 season Saturday against Big Ten West Division champion Iowa in the VRBO Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla. Click below to view all the stories previewing the game that have been published on Kentucky.com.
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Kentucky wide receivers Josh Ali and Isaiah Epps won’t be able to play in the Wildcats’ Citrus Bowl football game against Iowa on New Year’s Day.
Offensive coordinator Liam Coen told reporters during a scheduled video conference Monday that Ali and Epps are both receiving treatment in Lexington and are “OK” after being involved in what he called a “car accident” during UK’s recent break between the end of the regular season and its bowl-game preparations.
“They’ve been trying to get back to be able to play, but it just doesn’t look like they’ll be available for us in the Iowa game,” Coen said. “ ... Everything’s OK, they’re here getting treatment, it’s just probably not worth it for their futures.”
The accident occurred in Georgia; the players were returning to Lexington from a visit there when they were struck by a vehicle, according to Ali’s father, Faheem.
Ali this season was Kentucky’s second-leading receiver with 601 yards and three touchdowns on 41 receptions in 10 games; he missed two games due to a knee injury suffered in the middle of the season. A “super senior,” Ali finished his career as a Wildcat with 1,447 yards and nine touchdowns. His total yardage puts him among the top 15 receivers in school history; he’s second behind Garrett Johnson (2,089) among receivers who have played during Mark Stoops’ tenure.
Epps in 11 games had 11 receptions for 171 yards and a touchdown, his first as a Wildcat. He could return for a fifth year of eligibility under the NCAA’s COVID-19 waiver.
Next man up
In addition to Wan’Dale Robinson — its leading receiver — UK will probably lean more heavily in the Citrus Bowl on DeMarcus Harris, a sophomore who looked more comfortable in the Cats’ new system as the season progressed, and a pair of true freshmen, Chris Lewis and Chauncey Magwood.
The latter played in all 12 of Kentucky’s games and recorded a single reception for 17 yards. He also attempted a pass, a 15-yard completion to quarterback Will Levis.
Levis recently mentioned Lewis as a player who’s demonstrated noticeable progress between the end of UK’s season and the start of its bowl prep. The former four-star recruit out of Alabama appeared in three games, mostly on special teams, and throughout the season has added about 20 pounds to his 6-foot-4 frame, Coen said.
“He’s starting to look the part, starting to physically be able to belong a little bit,” Coen said. “He needs to continue to develop his lower half so he’s not slipping and falling quite as much, but C-Lew has a great future ahead of him. We’re really excited about him developing throughout the spring and throughout the winter workouts.”
Lewis could play and still preserve his redshirt season. Coen said he’s “not a huge part of the plan now” but that he may need to give UK some reps on Jan. 1.
“I trust him, like him a lot as a kid,” Coen said. “He’s a smart kid, diligent, great student. Does all the right things. ... In these type of games, anybody’s number might get called to come up and make a play. If C-Lew is called to make a play, I do believe that he can do that.”
Tight end Izayah Cummings, who was converted from wide receiver ahead of the season, anticipates being used more in the receiving game versus Iowa. Cummings was injured during UK’s win over Louisville to close the regular season but should be at full go against the Hawkeyes.
“I’m feeling great, I’ve been doing a lot of rehab with the trainers to make sure I’m back at full strength for this bowl game,” said Cummings, who caught 13 passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns in the regular season. “It’s just getting better as the days go by.”
Next game
No. 22 Kentucky vs. No. 15 Iowa
What: VRBO Citrus Bowl
When: 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 1
Where: Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla.
TV: ABC-36
Records: Kentucky 9-3, Iowa 10-3
Series: First meeting
This story was originally published December 20, 2021 at 4:06 PM.
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