Liam Coen and the Kentucky offense will have to adjust without 2 of its pass catchers in the Citrus Bowl as the offensive coordinator said Josh Ali and Isaiah Epps will miss the game.

Both players were involved in a car accident recently, and everything is fine, but the seniors cannot play in the bowl game, Coen told reporters.

Ali was Kentucky’s second-leading receiver in the regular season in 10 games with 41 catches for 601 yards and 3 touchdowns. Epps appeared in 11 games, and made 11 catches for 171 yards and a touchdown.

This puts more pressure on the UK offense against a strong defense from Iowa. The Hawkeyes are coming off a 42-3 loss to No. 2 Michigan in the Big Ten championship game after they had a defense in the regular season that ranked 14th nationally in scoring (19.2 points per game) and 15th against the run (113.8).

This is the second Citrus Bowl appearance in 4 seasons and sixth consecutive postseason berth for UK. The Wildcats have won their past 3 bowl games.

H/T Adam Luckett.