Report: Kentucky sells out season tickets for first time in Mark Stoops era

The hype in the Bluegrass State is reaching new highs, with fans thrilled to check out the 2023 edition of the Kentucky Wildcats. So thrilled, in fact, that the entire allotment of season tickets has sold out for the first time in the Mark Stoops era.

Stadium’s Brett McMurphy reported the news, noting that more than 46,700 season tickets have been sold, including student tickets.

Stoops has certainly elevated the profile of the Kentucky program in his 10 seasons there so far, compiling a 66-59 overall record. The Wildcats have twice won 10 games during his tenure, including in 2021, just two years ago.

Kentucky had high hopes for the 2022 season, as well, with veteran starting quarterback Will Levis back with one of the more talented teams in recent memory. But injuries pretty much derailed the campaign and the Wildcats finished just 7-6.

Now, though, a reloaded roster and the addition of NC State transfer Devin Leary has Kentucky fans once again foaming at the mouth.

Leary will have ample options to work with as far as skill position players go, with the top five receivers on the team last year all back. The triple threat at wideout of Barion Brown, Dane Key and Tayvion Robinson will be the envy of a lot of quarterbacks in the SEC, to say nothing of tight ends Jordan Dingle and Josh Kattus both being back.

Bottom line: It’s going to be a fun year at Kentucky.

Kentucky pass rush working on consistency

If there’s one area where Kentucky can coax out some significant improvement in 2023 it’s the pass rush. The unit finished ranked 104th nationally in sacks a year ago.

And there are few better ways to rev up a faithful home crowd than by drilling a quarterback in the backfield.

Still, defensive coordinator Brad White has noted it’s a work in progress during fall camp for the pass rush. They’re not quite there just yet, still working to improve consistency.

“Listen, you’re going to have those ebb and flows in camp, but from that group I’m really trying to demand, and coach (Anwar) Stewart‘s demanding of those guys, that just we need that level every day because we’re going to need it every week,” White said.

“You can’t have a lull moment in the season. You’ve got 12 guaranteed (games) and we can’t have, ‘Hey, we played six really good, two or three sort of ah, it was OK, and then three that…’ They’ve got to play elite all the time. You want that from everybody, but especially up there, man.”

Kentucky’s pass rush will have a chance to get after it in front of a packed house starting on Sept. 2 against Ball State.