Kentucky’s new offense didn’t waste any time showing its teeth.
In Will Stein’s first game as head coach, the Wildcats rolled past FCS Youngstown State 45-13, and the early returns looked exactly like the kind of spark Kentucky hired him to provide. The game was effectively decided by halftime, with Kentucky up 28-7 at the break on a sweltering afternoon at Kroger Field.
The opening series set the tone. Quarterback Kenny Minchey connected with freshman wide receiver Kenny Darby for a 33-yard gain on the fourth play from scrimmage, and three snaps later CJ Baxter finished the drive with a 15-yard touchdown run. Kentucky kept coming after that, scoring touchdowns on its first three possessions.
There was a brief pause when the Wildcats punted on their fourth drive, but the momentum never really left. Safety Ty Bryant recovered a muff on the return, and Kentucky later cashed in again on a fourth-and-goal play from the 2-yard line for its fourth touchdown.
Minchey, in his first career start after three seasons as a backup at Notre Dame, looked comfortable running the show. He went 18 of 27 for 301 yards and four touchdowns, becoming the first Kentucky quarterback to throw for 300 yards in his first start since Will Levis in 2021.
The passing game spread the ball around, especially to the tight ends. Willie Rodriguez, Mikkel Skinner and Henry Boyer combined for nine catches, 140 yards and two touchdowns. Darby added three receptions for 74 yards and a score, while freshman receiver Prince Jean caught a touchdown on his first career reception.
Kentucky also got plenty done on the ground, piling up 205 rushing yards. Jason Patterson led the backs with 73 yards on 11 carries, and Baxter made the most of his touches with two touchdowns on just nine carries.
The defense wasn’t spotless. Youngstown State converted 8 of 15 third downs and managed two touchdowns, but the Penguins never seriously threatened the outcome.
Stein’s debut also came with a place in the record book. The 32-point win was Kentucky’s largest margin of victory for a coach in his debut since A.D. Kirwan’s 46-7 win over Maryville to open the 1938 season.
Next up is a far tougher test, with No. 13 Alabama coming to Kroger Field next week. Still, Kentucky’s first showing under Stein gave the program a jolt and plenty to talk about heading into that matchup.
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Kentuckys Will Stein Era Opens With One Big Roster Question
Will Steins first game as Kentuckys head coach brings a fresh start to a program that has spent more than a decade with the same man on the sideline. The Wildcats open against Youngstown State at Kroger Field, with the usual early-season mix of optimism and uncertainty hanging over a roster that is already being shaped by the new staffs decisions and the reality of availability.
One of the biggest early talking points is at linebacker, where Alex Afari is eligible to play after a court ruling, giving Kentucky a notable option as Steins era begins. On the other side of the ledger, running back Jovantae Barnes will not be available because of injury, leaving a gap the Wildcats have to manage right away as they settle into a new season, a new coach and the rest of the road ahead on the 2026 schedule. [Read more 🡒]
Kentucky Just Got Alex Afari Back But One Question Remains
Alex Afari is back on Kentuckys roster for the 2026 season opener, a notable development for a veteran linebacker whose status had been caught up in the NCAAs new five-year eligibility system. The Jefferson County judges decision to deny the NCAAs appeal of a temporary restraining order cleared the way for Afari to be added officially, and Kentucky listed him on the roster with No. 9 after he spent four seasons in Lexington.
For the Wildcats, the immediate significance is simple: a familiar defender is available again as the program navigates the ripple effects of the eligibility changes and the lawsuits attached to them. Afaris return gives Kentucky another experienced piece on defense, even as the broader question around how these cases are ultimately resolved still hangs over players who are trying to get one more season on the field. [Read more 🡒]
Kentuckys New Offense Just Gave Fans A Reason To Believe
Will Steins first Kentucky offense did what every new coaching staff wants to do on opening night: it looked organized, quick and in control right away. Against Youngstown State, the Wildcats opened with a crisp first drive that moved at a fast pace and showed an efficiency this fan base has been waiting to see, with the new system giving the offense an immediate sense of purpose.
Kenny Minchey handled the start cleanly and kept the drive on schedule, while the ground game finished the job in the red zone. The sequence ended with CJ Baxter punching in the score, and for a program trying to build confidence under a new head coach, the opener offered an early sign that the offense may have more rhythm than Kentucky has shown in recent years. [Read more 🡒]