Kentucky’s first night under Will Stein set the bar high, and now the Wildcats get a much bigger measuring stick. After rolling past Youngstown State 45-13, Kentucky turns around to host Alabama next Saturday at Kroger Field in what looks like the first real stress test for Stein, senior quarterback Kenny Minchey, and the rest of the roster.
Minchey wasted no time making an impression in the opener, finishing 18 of 27 for 301 yards and four touchdowns. That kind of efficiency gave Kentucky a clean start to the new era. But Alabama brings a different level of pressure, and it comes with a wrinkle: the Crimson Tide won’t have much film to study beyond Kentucky’s season opener.
The biggest spotlight may fall on Alabama sophomore quarterback Keelon Russell, who is stepping into his first true road game. Russell went 18 of 30 for 256 yards in the opener and added a rushing touchdown, though he did not throw a touchdown pass.
He also had multiple drops from his receivers that would have turned into scores. On the ground, he carried 13 times for 86 yards, so Kentucky will have to account for his legs as well as his arm.
That road environment could matter. Former Ole Miss quarterback Austin Simmons ran into trouble when he faced Kentucky away from home, throwing two early interceptions before being replaced by Trinidad Chambliss after struggling with the pressure of a loud crowd. Saturday is expected to be a zoo inside Kroger Field, with a packed stadium and an atmosphere that could resemble Kentucky’s 2021 win over Florida at home.
Alabama’s offense also showed balance in the opener. Daniel Hill ran nine times for 47 yards, EJ Crowell had seven carries for 37 yards, and Ryan Coleman-Williams led the way through the air with five catches for 130 yards.
For Stein, this is the kind of game that can define an early stretch of a season. He’ll be looking for his first major win as Kentucky’s head coach, while Alabama is trying to avoid getting caught in an upset and stop the Wildcats from landing a statement victory.
Date: Saturday, Sept. 12
Start Time: 3:30 PM ET
TV Channel: ABC
Online Streaming Info: WatchESPN
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 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 🡒]