KSR Gameday: Kentucky Kicks off the Season vs. Ball State

by:Nick Roush•09/02/23•

RoushKSR

ksr-gameday-kentucky-kicks-off-the-season-vs-ball-state — Dr. Michael Huang | KSR

The moment you’ve been waiting for is finally here. Mark Stoops will kick off his eleventh season as the Kentucky head football coach this Saturday when Ball State travels to Kroger Field. All of the exciting action begins at Noon on the SEC Network.

Rewind to one year ago and you’ll recall that expectations for the Wildcats were sky high. Kentucky had an NFL Draft pick returning at quarterback fresh off a 10-win season. Everything was lined up for another historical fall campaign. Unfortunately the two biggest questions — offensive line and play-caller — were never answered.

Stoops spent the offseason problem solving to remedy the Wildcats’ weaknesses. Kentucky added four offensive lineman from the transfer portal, recruited Liam Coen back to Lexington and reeled in one of the most talented quarterback’s available, Devin Leary. The Cats have explosive playmakers and proven play-callers. They appear to have a rediscovered a recipe for success. We’ll see if it results in another masterpiece when the long football drought ends this afternoon at Kroger Field.

Kentucky Football Gameday Schedule

8:00: KSR Pregame Show begins on 630 WLAP
9:00: KSBar and Grille opens for breakfast
9:00: $1 Gameday LexTran Shuttle Starts
9:45: The Cat Walk outside Gate 1
Noon: Kickoff on the SEC Network
4:30: OVW in the KSBar Parking Lot

Parking situation tomorrow @KSBarAndGrille

You can park anywhere EXCEPT the nine spots in red next to Dairy Queen. Everything else is fine. $1 bus ride back and forth to Kroger Field

Just have to eat at KSBar or other places in building before or after game pic.twitter.com/CzSwonZY2c
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) September 1, 2023

Kentucky vs. Ball State: TV, Radio, Line

Kentucky is an 26.5-point favorite against Ball State with a total set at 49. Mark Stoops is 9-2 against the spread in his last 11 game against non-conference foes.

Dave Neal, Derek Mason and Taylor Davis will be on the call for SEC Network. Kickoff is scheduled for Noon. If you can’t attend the game or stream the Cats, you can always listen to the Voice of the Wildcats, Tom Leach, and Jeff Piecoro.

AM: 840 WHAS, 630 WLAP
FM: 98.1 WBUL
Satellite: Sirius 134 or 190, SXM app 961

Follow @KSRonX, KSR’s official Twitter/X account, for all the latest Kentucky Wildcats news, videos, and content.

Cougar Bait at Kroger Field

Today is the first game of beer and alcohol sales at Kroger Field. Country Boy Brewing’s Cougar Bait Blonde Ale will be available behind section 16 in Kroger Field this season. Cougar Bait is an easy drinking blonde ale perfect for your tailgate and your first beer at the game. Crisp and refreshing, this beer is the perfect complement to football Saturdays in Kentucky. If you can’t make it to the game, be sure to watch the Cats all season long in one of the three Country Boy taprooms in Lexington, Georgetown, and the newest location in Downtown Louisville at the Omni Hotel. Learn more about the beer or find a Country Boy brew near you at www.countryboybrewing.com.

Big Time Kentucky Football Recruits on Campus

A Nooner against a school from the MAC doesn’t scream “big-time recruiting event,” but the Kentucky coaching staff has kind of turned it into one. Cutter Boley, Brian Robinson and the Smith Twins headline an impressive guest list from within the Commonwealth, and that’s not even the most eye-opening news.

Friday morning we learned LB Devin Smith will open the college football season by officially visiting Kentucky. The Wildcats were one of five finalists for Smith, joining Alabama, South Carolina, LSU, and Auburn. To get the first official visit ahead of those SEC foes speaks volumes. Kentucky has an opportunity to make a significant impression this Saturday.

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Goodbye Live Blog

It’s the end of an era. Kentucky football and basketball games will no longer be accompanied by a KSR Live Blog. As we explained last night, unfortunately our software partners are no longer offering the platform. We explored some alternatives to no avail. Instead of a Live Blog, this afternoon you will find a Live Thread on KSBoard, along with updates on our new Twitter account, @KSRonX. It’s not ideal, but time’s are a-0changing and we’re rolling with the punches.

Subscribe to KSR+ to continue the conversation on KSBoard, the KSR+ Message Board. New subscribers can try 1 month for $1 or get 25% off an annual subscription.

College Football on TV

The first Saturday of the college football season is here. Enjoy every single second of it and prepare accordingly by watching the Pigskin Preview.

Colorado at #17 TCU, Noon, Fox
Virginia at #12 Tennessee, Noon, ABC
#3 Ohio State at Indiana, 3:30, CBS
Boise State at #10 Washington, 3:30, ABC
Rice at #11 Texas, 3:30, Fox
Buffalo at #19 Wisconsin, 3:30, FS1
UMass at Auburn, 3:30, ESPN
New Mexico at #23 Texas A&M, 7:00, ESPN
UTSA at Houston, 7:00, FS1
MTSU at #4 Alabama, 7:30, SEC Network
West Virginia at #7 Penn State, 7:30, NBC
#21 North Carolina vs. South Carolina, 7:30, ABC
Coastal Carolina at UCLA, 10:30, ESPN

A Great Day to Run Through a Wall

Smell that in the air? It smells like football. Need to skip the coffee this morning? KyWildcatsTV has you covered.

Pitt Takes Down Kentucky Volleyball

The Big Blue Nation showed out in a big way Friday night. Just over 5,000 fans, the fifth-largest crowd in UK volleyball history, went to Rupp Arena to watch No. 15 Kentucky take on No. 10 Pitt. The Panthers looked like a team that just went to consecutive Final Fours. Pitt ran away with game one en route to a sweep (25-14, 25-21, 25-22). That losing feeling can’t linger. Kentucky will return the favor and travel to Pitt Sunday afternoon for a rematch.

Scores from around Kentucky High School Football

The Smith Twins got a bunch of sacks against Lex Cath, St. X knocked off Male and Taylor County took down E-Town in the Kroger KSR Game of the Week. See all the scores from Friday night, and if you need more football, Cutter Boley is in action tonight at 8 pm EST against Pikeville in the LCA Bowl.