CBS thought Youngstown State had a shot to walk into Kroger Field and spring the upset. Kentucky wasted no time making that idea look flimsy.
The Cats opened with a burst from CJ Baxter, the Texas transfer who scored the first two touchdowns of the Will Stein era. Baxter punched in a 15-yard run and then added a 5-yard score within the first 10 minutes, and Kentucky was rolling before Youngstown State could settle in.
Then came the first real momentum swing of the afternoon. A muffed punt handed Kentucky the ball back deep in Penguins territory, and the Cats pushed inside the 5 before stalling.
Baxter was stopped for a loss, Jason Patterson found a seam to the 2, and then Baxter was stuffed again. That set up Stein’s first go-for-it call, and Kenny Minchey delivered by finding Willie Rodriguez for the score.
Minchey was sharp from the start, opening the game 9 of 12 for 121 yards as Kentucky raced to a 21-0 lead. By the time the first half wound down, the Penguins had finally found some rhythm through the air, especially by attacking freshman Isaiah McMillian on the boundary. Youngstown State strung together a 75-yard drive in 1:31 to cut it to 28-7, and with 17 seconds left, Stein had Minchey take a knee to close the half.
Kentucky still outgained Youngstown State 234 to 154 before the break, though most of the Penguins’ yards came on that late drive. And because Youngstown State deferred, it at least had a path to trim the deficit and carry some momentum into the second half.
Instead, Stein’s team slammed that door immediately.
The opening drive after halftime started with a holding penalty on Youngstown State, and then Jordan Castell snuffed out an option pitch for an 8-yard loss that ended the series with a punt. Minchey took over from there, guiding a 75-yard march in 3:25 and finding Prince Jean for his first career collegiate touchdown to push the lead back to 28.
Youngstown State answered again, though. The Penguins moved 75 yards in 4 minutes, cut it to 35-13, and missed the extra point. They kept fighting, but Kentucky had the game under control.
There were still some issues to sort through, especially up front. Jay Bateman’s defensive line had a hard time getting to Youngstown State quarterback Brungard, who finished 23 of 35 for 243 yards and a touchdown through the air while adding 28 yards on the ground.
Minchey, meanwhile, kept everything tidy behind a clean pocket. Youngstown State never registered a sack, and Kentucky spread the ball around with completions to eight different players. Minchey finished 18 of 27 for 301 yards and four touchdowns.
In the end, Kentucky got a strong debut from the Stein era and plenty of production from Minchey, finishing off a 45-13 win that put the SEC on notice.
In Other News...
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 🡒]