Kentucky vs. Akron: Preview, Point Spread, How To Watch, and More

For the first time this season, college football will be played under the bright lights of Kroger Field, where at 7:30 p.m., the Kentucky Wildcats (2-0, 0-0) host the Akron Zips (1-1, 0-0) in the first nighttime kickoff of the fall. Kentucky is undefeated through two games in 2023, but there is still plenty to clean up against Akron.

Here is everything you need to know about Week 3 in Lexington:

How To Watch/Listen

TV: ESPNU

Play-by-play, Courtney Lyle
Analysis, Hutson Mason

Streaming: WatchESPN

Radio: UK Sports Network | Statewide Affiliate Map

Play-by-play, Tom Leach
Analysis, Jeff Piecoro
Sideline, Dick Gabriel

Satellite Radio: Sirius 98 or 203

Join The Discussion (R.I.P. KSR Live Blog)

For the first time in over a decade, KSR will be without its in-game live blogs, a longtime tradition here on the blog. Unfortunately, the company that hosted the KSR live blogs no longer exists, so we are without the machine that made it all possible.

If you still want to interact with the KSR crew during the game, consider joining the conversation on KSBoard.

You can sound off about the game in the comments section below, too.

Schedules To Date

KENTUCKY (2-0, 0-0)			AKRON (1-1, 0-0)
vs Ball State	44-14	W	@ Temple	24-21	L
vs EKU	28-17	W	vs Morgan State	24-21	W

Kentucky’s Week 3 Depth Chart

Injury Report

KENTUCKY

— Kenneth Horsey is still out with a lower leg injury suffered in Game 1

— Jeremy Flax will return to the lineup at right tackle after missing Game 2

— Jordan Robinson is expected to be available for the first time this season. He was spotted warming up ahead of kickogg.

Out for the season
OL – Ben Christman (RS So.)
OL – Nik Hall (RS Fr.)
DB – Jaremiah Anglin (Fr.)

AKRON

— TBD

Five Pregame Storylines

Jeremy Flax is back

Last Saturday, Kentucky played without two of its starting offensive linemen, Kenneth Horsey and Jeremy Flax, a couple of returners from a year ago and beyond. Flax was a surprise scratch at kickoff, and Courtland Ford stepped up in his place, but Mark Stoops confirmed Flax will be in the lineup tonight following the one-game absence.

Kentucky needs a fast start

After consecutive disappointing first halves to open the season, the Big Blue Nation has grown impatient. Mark Stoops, too. “I’d like to see us as efficient as we’ve been in the second half in both games,” said Stoops. “Just putting it all together and you can’t — you have to be consistent. That’s the bottom line. Again, I can’t blame any one person or any one aspect of the game for the slow start. We need to do better. No excuses.”

Liam Coen is back from a medical scare

Kentucky’s Liam Coen bounced back from a Sunday medical emergency at the team facility and will coach the offense today. “I can’t thank enough the BBN, the support, the people outreach, that was really cool,” said Coen on Wednesday. “It was really to be at a place that you can tell actually does care. I appreciate that, my family appreciates that, that’s really it.”

Akron’s Three-QB System

On the opponent’s sideline, Joe Moorhead will likely use all three of his quarterbacks: the returning starter from a year ago, DJ Irons; the Virginia Tech transfer, Tahj Bullock; and Jeff Undercuffler Jr., who took over for Irons a week ago in the Morgan State win. If you have two QBs, you don’t have one. What’s three mean? We’ll see.

50 Years of Kroger Field

This weekend, Kentucky celebrates 50 years of Kroger Field. At today’s game, an alumni band of more than 200 former Wildcats will help pay tribute to the hollowed grounds formerly known as Commonwealth Stadium.

Gamble

Point Spread: Kentucky -25.5
Over/Under: 50.5

Final Coaches Comments of the Week

Mark Stoops:

Joe Moorhead:

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Pregame Link Dump

• Scouting Report: Akron (KSR+)
• Kentucky Football’s Goals vs. Akron
• 5 Things to Know About Akron
• Mark Stoops’ Monday Press Conference
• “11 Personnel” previews Kentucky-Akron
• KSR Football Podcast: Akron Week
• Mark Stoops on the SEC Teleconference
• 3 Kentucky players to watch against Akron

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Cat Walk, Tailgate Pictures

Mark Stoops went with an interesting blazer choice for Saturday’s game against Akron.

Mark Stoops' blazer choice for the Akron game is ____________. pic.twitter.com/oGsJdVn9Gq

— KSR (@KSRonX) September 16, 2023

3 Things 2 Watch 4

Kentucky vs. Akron: 3 Things 2 Watch 4 #BBN

1️⃣ Run Game Returns in the 1st Half

2️⃣ Tight Ends in the Passing Game

3️⃣ Keep the Turnover Tire in the Box

MORE: https://t.co/f4uz5Y8PFD pic.twitter.com/R7AR4EWoWZ

— KSR (@KSRonX) September 16, 2023

KSR’s Staff Predictions

Got thoughts? Subscribe to KSR+ to continue the conversation on KSBoard, the KSR+ Message Board.

Go Cats

It’s Football Time In The Bluegrass.