Vicky Graff Photo
Two weeks ago Kentucky opened their season with a 44-14 win over Ball State. While the point margin was impressive, head coach Mark Stoops was not happy following his team’s first game of the season. Stoops wanted more consistency and said his team needed to be better in multiple phases of the game.
So then one week ago, Kentucky hosted Eastern Kentucky and found themselves trailing 7-0 right up until halftime when the Wildcats tied the game 7-7. Kentucky wound up winning the game 28-17, but once again the Wildcats just couldn’t take off running against their competition.
This Saturday, Kentucky hosts the Akron Zips in their first night game of the 2023 season. It’s the third consecutive home game for Kentucky and their last at Kroger Field before heading down to Vanderbilt next weekend for their first SEC game of the year.
Before SEC play gets underway, Kentucky fans would like to see their team put together a complete game. A complete game of offense where quarterback Devin Leary and his receivers are clicking on every drive. A run game led by former Vanderbilt Commodore Ray Davis and UK’s other talented backs. A defense that has been pretty good so far this season, but is waiting for the JJ Weaver breakout game.
With all due respect to Kentucky’s first three opponents of the year, is that really too much for fans to ask for?
Saturday’s contest against Akron feels like the breakthrough game for the Wildcats to build momentum into SEC play. After all, if Kentucky can’t break through, fans should be concerned for not only the next couple of games but the remainder of the season. Once Kentucky finishes their game against the Zips, they’ll travel to Vanderbilt, host Florida, travel to Georgia, host Missouri and Tennessee, travel to Mississippi State, host Alabama then travel to South Carolina and Louisville.
Kentucky should win some of those games, but none will be anything close to easy and that’s why the time is now for Kentucky football.
Kickoff for tonight is set for 7:30 PM ET with television coverage on ESPNU and radio coverage on your local UK Sports Network affiliate.
