I-64 East is back open after a wreck shut down the interstate between Louisville and Lexington early Saturday, but the morning still started with plenty of headaches for fans heading to Kroger Field.
The closure hit at mile marker 38, just east of Shelbyville, and traffic was being diverted off the interstate at exit 35. For drivers making the trip from Louisville, one option was to get off at exit 35, head through Shelbyville, then take Frankfort Road to Highway 151 to rejoin I-64.
Another route was to avoid the mess altogether by leaving Louisville on I-65 South and taking the Bluegrass Parkway to Lexington. Navigation apps like Waze and Google Maps were recommended, along with the GoKy real-time traffic map from the Kentucky Department of Transportation.
Once fans actually reach the stadium, though, the weather picture looks a lot better than it did earlier in the day. The thunderstorms that moved through Lexington this morning have cleared, and both the stadium and the surrounding grounds are drying out.
The storms have taken the edge off the heat for now, but that relief won’t last long. Kickoff is expected to come with temperatures around 83 degrees, then climb into the 90s as the game unfolds, with a heat index near 98 degrees.
It has been a messy start to the day, from weather to traffic, as the Will Stein era gets underway. But after the morning’s interruptions, the rest of the day is expected to be clear.
Kentucky and Youngstown State are set for a 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff on Saturday.
The game will be on SEC Network+ with Kevin Fitzgerald and Charlie Strong on the call. On radio, the UK Sports Network coverage will feature Tom Leach, Jeff Piecoro and Dick Gabriel.
Fans can also listen on 840 WHAS, 630 WLAP, 98.1 WBUL, iHeartRadio and SiriusXM 167. KSR’s live blog will begin a few hours before kickoff, with conversation also available on KSBoard.
In Other News...
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 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 🡒]
Kentucky's Big Blue Wall Is Creating Real SEC Hype Again
Kentuckys offensive line did what good SEC lines are supposed to do Saturday against Youngstown State: it controlled the line of scrimmage, kept the quarterback protected and helped the offense stay productive in both the passing and running game. The performance drew plenty of praise afterward, with players pointing to the groups communication and the steady way it created room for consistent gains.
There was still a notable wrinkle up front, though, with the right tackle spot shuffled in the absence of Malachi Wood. Olaus Alinen handled that job in the game, and the bigger question for Kentucky is how this front holds up when the schedule tightens and the competition looks more like Alabama than Youngstown State. [Read more 🡒]