Kentucky vs. Ball State: Preview, Point Spread, How To Watch, and More
Today, the 2023 college football season kicks off at noon at Kroger Field with a clash between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Ball State Cardinals. The Wildcats’ opening game marks the debut of several new Wildcats from high school and the transfer portal, plus new looks at some of the stars from a year ago and the welcome home party for Liam Coen.
Here’s everything you need to know about Game 1 in Lexington.
How To Watch
Saturday, September 2 @ Noon ET
TV: SEC Network | Streaming: WatchESPN
Play-by-play, Dave Neal
Analysis, Derek Mason
Sideline, Taylor Davis
Radio: UK Sports Network | Statewide Affiliate Map
Play-by-play, Tom Leach
Analysis, Jeff Piecoro
Sideline, Dick Gabriel
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.
Kentucky’s Week 1 Depth Chart
Team Captains
On Friday, Mark Stoops named seven team captains:
Zion Childress
Eli Cox
Kenneth Horsey
Devin Leary
Deone Walker
Trevin Wallace
JJ Weaver
Injury Report
KENTUCKY
On Monday, Mark Stoops announced Ben Christman, an offensive line transfer out of Ohio State, is out for the season with an injury suffered in the preseason. Another offensive lineman, Nik Hall, will also miss 2023 with an undisclosed injury.
One more, Jaremiah Anglin, will miss his freshman season in Kentucky’s secondary. The four-star recruit underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL.
Tre’vonn Rybka, Jordan Robinson and La’Vell Wright are not dressed for today’s game. Robinson is CB2 and Rybka was listed as an “OR” on the depth chart as a starting DE. It’s a big opportunity for Ox and Kahlil Saunders to create some havoc.
BALL STATE
Brady Hunt, a Freshman All-American tight end, traveled to Lexington with intentions to play through an ankle injury against the Wildcats. Defensive lineman Tavion Woodard (shoulder) made the trip, too.
Running back Christian Davis is reportedly dealing with a left knee injury. His playing status is uncertain.
Five Pregame Storylines
Devin Leary’s Debut
After two years with Will Levis at quarterback, Kentucky’s offense will turn to a new star out of the transfer portal, Devin Leary from NC State. A New Jersey native, Leary is ranked sixth in NC State history with 6,807 career passing yards, and fourth in career completion percentage (.602). He won 17 of 26 games as a starter before transferring to Lexington, where he will debut in blue against Ball State today.
Liam Coen’s Return
It’s feeling like 2021 in Lexington now that Kentucky’s playbook is back in Liam Coen’s hands. Coen was Mark Stoops’ offensive coordinator for that one 2021 season in which the Wildcats won 10 games, including the Citrus Bowl.
New Big Blue Wall
Right tackle will be a spot to watch in the rebuild of Kentucky’s offensive line. Four of the spots were locked up early in the preseason, but Jeremy Flax and Courtland Ford are in a competition for the fifth. Flax will start today.
Stop the All-MAC Back
On the other side, Ball State is eager to debut Marquez Cooper, the new First Team All-MAC running back out of Kent State via the transfer portal. Cooper has big numbers in three seasons in the Mid-American (1,326 rushing yards and 13 TDs in 2022), but Kentucky’s front seven has the potential to be among the best in the SEC. Mike Neu will likely call on Layne Hatcher to throw a lot.
Ice Cold Beer
For the first time ever, Kroger Field will offer ice-cold beer (and seltzers!) in the cheap seats. Michelob Ultra, Bud Light, Bud Light Seltzer, Yuengling, and Yuengling Flight will be the domestic options, in addition to local craft beers at various locations within Kroger Field. Y’all behave.
Gamble
Point Spread (Opening Line): Kentucky -26 (-24.5)
Over/Under: 49.5
Final Coaches Comments of the Week
Mark Stoops:
Mike Neu:
Pregame Link Dump
— Scouting Report: Ball State Cardinals (KSR+)
— Stoops: Kentucky ready to play ‘somebody with a different colored jersey’
— Kentucky Showing Signs of Selflessness ahead of Season Opener
— Kentucky Football’s goals vs. Ball State
— Devin Leary, Liam Coen Excited to Game Plan vs. Ball State
— Chester’s call into Thursday’s KSR show
— “11 Personnel” preview Kentucky-Ball State
— KSR Football Podcast: Ball State Week
— Defense will need communication, sure tackling against Ball State
— Ball State Eager for ‘Great Opportunity’ at Kentucky
— Ball State Names Veteran Journeyman Starting Quarterback
— Kentucky has confidence in rebuilt kicking game
— Mark Stoops discusses position battles in Ball State presser
— Nothing “Feels Routine” for Stoops Before Kickoff
— 3 Kentucky players to watch against Ball State
Cat Walk, Tailgate Pictures
Shoutout to Mont Dawson for capturing some pictures of the Cat Walk and tailgating scene this morning:
The Letterman Top Ten
3 Things 2 Watch 4
KSR’s Staff Predictions
Tyler Thompson: Kentucky 41, Ball State 10
Drew Franklin: Kentucky 38, Ball State 3
Nick Roush: Kentucky 45, Ball State 7
Adam Luckett: Kentucky 45, Ball State 13
Jack Pilgrim: Kentucky 35, Ball State 10
Zack Geoghegan: Kentucky 31, Ball State 14
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Go Cats
It’s Football Time In The Bluegrass.
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