Will Stein’s first Kentucky team didn’t waste any time making a statement.
In his debut Saturday, Sept. 5, the Wildcats came out firing and rolled past Youngstown State 45-13 in Lexington, putting touchdowns on their first three possessions and four of their five first-half drives. For a program adjusting to a new voice and a new pregame rhythm, the early returns were as clean as Kentucky could have hoped.
Stein arrived with a reputation as an offensive mind after three seasons running Oregon’s high-powered attack, and the Wildcats looked the part right away. Kentucky (1-0) found the end zone on its first three drives, something it never managed once in 2025, and the offense kept humming behind a sharp day from Kenny Minchey.
Minchey opened 9 of 10 through the air and finished 18 for 27 for 301 yards and four touchdowns, completing 67% of his passes. He spread the ball around, too, with nine different Wildcats catching passes.
The backfield rotation also did its job. Three running backs - CJ Baxter, Martels Carter Jr. and Jason Patterson - shared the workload, and Baxter delivered the biggest punch. The former five-star signee at Texas scored Kentucky’s first two touchdowns, both on the ground.
Youngstown State, now 1-1, was clearly the overmatched side, and the matchup reflected that from the opening series.
The real challenge is waiting next week. Alabama comes to Kroger Field for the SEC opener for both teams, and the Crimson Tide will provide a much stiffer test.
For one afternoon, though, Stein’s Kentucky looked exactly like a team with a new offensive identity. He cleared the first hurdle without much trouble.
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Kentuckys New Offense Just Gave Fans Real Reason For Hope
Will Steins first Kentucky team wasted little time showing what this offense might look like, and the season opener against Youngstown State offered plenty for fans to like. The Wildcats rolled to a 45-13 win, hit the end zone on their first three drives and paired that early efficiency with a ground game that piled up 205 rushing yards.
Kenny Minchey made the kind of first start Kentucky was hoping to see, completing 18 of 27 passes for 301 yards and four touchdowns. For a program trying to build momentum under a new coach, the opener was a strong start, though the real test will come as defenses force this revamped attack to prove it can keep the same rhythm when the competition gets tougher. [Read more 🡒]
Kentucky Fans Heading To Kroger Field Need To Know This First
Fans heading to Kroger Field for Kentuckys matchup with Youngstown State had to navigate an early travel headache Saturday when Interstate 64 East near Shelbyville was temporarily shut down after a wreck. Detours were put in place for a time, and drivers were urged to find alternate routes if they were coming into Lexington from that direction.
The good news for anyone already making the trip is that the shutdown has since been lifted, and the weather in Lexington has also improved after morning thunderstorms rolled through the area. Conditions have cleared, and temperatures are expected to climb as the game goes on, giving fans a much different day than the one they woke up to. [Read more 🡒]
Kentucky Faces One Big Health Question Before Alabama
Kentucky got through its season opener with a few familiar names on the sideline, including starting cornerbacks Terhyon Nichols and Hasaan Sykes, both of whom were dressed but did not play because of minor issues. Head coach Will Stein said the roster should start to get healthier soon, with several players working their way back into the mix as the Wildcats turn their attention to Alabama.
One of the clearer signs of progress is along the line and in the front seven, where Malachi Wood is expected to return after being held out by a calf bruise and Alex Afari is gradually being reintegrated into the team. The bigger question remains in the secondary, where Kentucky could use more clarity before a matchup like this, especially with Nichols still not fully settled on a return timeline. [Read more 🡒]