Cole Cubelic came away impressed with Kentucky’s opening win, and the ESPN/SEC Network analyst didn’t waste any time spelling out why.
After the Wildcats rolled past Youngstown State 45-13 in Will Stein’s first game as head coach, Cubelic said Kentucky’s offense looked clean and controlled from the start. On social media, he wrote that the Wildcats “handled their business,” noting that the “Operation of offense looked smooth.” He praised quarterback Kenny Michey for having “command,” saying Kentucky “like tested seams early,” got the ball out on time, took checkdowns, and showed “No wasted energy.”
Cubelic also liked how Kentucky used its tight ends, calling them a major part of the plan. “TEs added a great deal.
Formationally they help present different things. 81 (Willie Rodriguez) was out of his mind blocking!
Duo (with Mikkel Skinner) looked good. Helped get them going right at the defense.
Liked them working out of pistol & under center. Blocked extremely well.
Got them going in pass game.”
He highlighted running back 1 (CJ Baxter), too, saying he “ran hard” and “Gets north & south quickly.” Cubelic added that the offensive line “gave effort,” while the later use of misdirection and play action made for “Really nice plan & execution.”
His praise wasn’t limited to the offense. Cubelic said Kentucky’s defense “ran to the ball,” got some disruptive movement up front, and handled parts of the option game well, though he noted the Wildcats “will need more rush discipline moving fwd.”
He also pointed out that rollouts caused problems and that 7 (Jamarion Harkless) “fills it up on the DL,” while 5 (Jordan Castell) “got to the QB” and 15 (Cedric Works) showed “good effort out on the edge.” His overall verdict: “Strong 1st win for a new HC.”
Cubelic also weighed in on Alabama, Kentucky’s opponent Saturday, after the Crimson Tide opened with a 48-10 win over East Carolina. He said quarterback Keelon Russell “operated the offense well,” with throws that were on time and a knack for keeping plays alive.
He also felt Alabama’s receivers still had too many drops, though he thought the offensive line had improved from last season. On defense, he said the unit “flew around, tackled well.”
In Other News...
Kentuckys New Offense Just Unlocked A Weapon Fans Havent Seen Enough
Will Stein wasted little time putting his stamp on Kentuckys offense, and one of the clearest signs came through the tight end room. In the season opener, three tight ends combined for nine catches, 140 yards and two touchdowns, a workload and production level that stood out sharply from what the Wildcats had leaned on in recent years under Mark Stoops. It was the kind of shift that gives an offense a different shape, especially for a team trying to find more answers in the passing game.
The encouraging part for Kentucky is that this did not look like a one-off wrinkle. Players and coaches praised the tight ends performance and pointed to their value as real pieces of the system, which suggests Stein sees them as more than just check-down options or red-zone targets. If that usage holds, it could change the way defenses have to prepare for the Wildcats, and it may only be the beginning of how often these weapons show up. [Read more 🡒]
Kentucky Just Landed A Huge Big Blue Madness Recruiting Opportunity
Big Blue Madness is still a little ways off, but Kentucky already has one of the nights biggest recruiting storylines in place. The Wildcats are set to open the basketball season on Oct. 2, and five-star power forward CJ Rosser is expected to be there, giving Mark Popes staff a prime chance to put Kentucky in front of one of the elite prospects in the 2027 class.
Rosser, ranked No. 2 nationally by 247Sports, brings the kind of profile Kentucky has long targeted at the frontcourt: a 6-foot-10 forward with versatile skills and plenty of upside. He has visits lined up with several schools, but the chance to see the program in one of its most electric settings gives the Wildcats an important early opportunity to make their case and keep building momentum in a recruitment that figures to stay closely watched. [Read more 🡒]
Kentucky Heads Into Alabama Opener With Big Availability Questions
The first SEC test of the season is already taking shape as both Kentucky and Alabama sort through a long list of availability concerns heading into their Week 2 matchup. The second report of the week left each side dealing with significant uncertainty, with Alabama carrying several players on the out or doubtful lists and Kentucky also trying to piece together who will be ready for a road opener that suddenly looks a lot more complicated than a standard conference debut.
For Kentucky, the biggest concern is the mix of uncertainty along the offensive line and in the secondary, the kind of personnel questions that can change both protection plans and coverage looks in a hurry. Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer has already pointed to the Wildcats' offensive front and his familiarity with Will Stein's schemes, which only adds to the intrigue as both teams try to keep their cards close and survive the week with as many healthy bodies as possible. [Read more 🡒]