KSR GAMEDAY: Kentucky Hosts Youngstown State at Kroger Field

by:Nick Roush•09/17/22•

RoushKSR

Once again, it’s Football Time in the Bluegrass. The ninth-ranked Kentucky football team returns to Kroger Field to host Youngstown State at Noon on the SEC Network.

A week ago the Wildcats upset Florida on the road after the Gators were fed rat poison all week. Now the shoe is on the other foot. The Wildcats flew up the polls, Will Levis is seemingly being interviewed by every national media outlet and Mark Stoops has received countless congratulatory messages for surpassing Bear Bryant’s record for most wins at Kentucky. This afternoon Stoops will be honored in front of the BBN for breaking the all-time wins record. Can Kentucky avoid a let-down against an FCS foe?

Youngstown State has shown it can score points in its first two games, averaging 40 points per contest. After two tough years for Doug Phillips, the Penguins appear to be turning things around, ranked No. 18 in the FCS by ESPN’s SP+. Running back Jaleel McLaughlin has been explosive, gaining 332 yards (10.1 ypc.) and scoring four touchdowns this season.

The Kentucky run defense must once again flex its muscles. If Levis and the offense can throw in a few early haymakers, it could be a fun day for the BBN at Kroger Field.

Kentucky vs. YSU: TV, Radio and Point Spread

Kentucky opened as 25.5-point favorites over the Youngstown State Penguins with a total set at 54.4. Saturday morning DraftKings had UK -30.5, with a total of 52. Mark Stoops has never lost to an FCS team, but his Wildcats are only 3-5 ATS against FCS opponents.

Kickoff is at noon. Dave Neal, Deuce McAllister and Andraya Carter will be on the call for the SEC Network. 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 81, SXM App: 81
Online: iHeart Radio

Kentucky Football Game Day Schedule

8:00 — Kroger Field tailgate lots open
8:00 — The KSR Pregame Show on 630 WLAP
9:45 — The Cat Walk near Gate 1
10:00 — KSBar opens for breakfast
10:00 — Lextran Gameday Shuttle beings
Noon — Kickoff at Kroger Field

Pick Up Your Commemorative Mark Stoops Poster

Celebrate Mark Stoops’ milestone by arriving early to pick up this poster at Gate 6.

Thanks @centralbankKY & Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance, 10,000 Commemorative Mark Stoops posters will be available at Gate 6 of Kroger Field starting at 9 am Saturday morning. Congratulations to @UKCoachStoops on becoming the All-Time Winningest Coach in @UKFootball history! pic.twitter.com/gaL6K5BXJP
— UK Sports Network (@UKSportsNetwork) September 14, 2022

Youngstown State-Kentucky Connections

The Youngstown connections run deep on the Kentucky football coaching staff. Mark Stoops, Vince Marrow, Mike Stoops, Frank Buffano and Courtney Love are Cardinal Mooney alumni. UK MLB Luke Fulton is also a Cardinal Mooney grad.

On the opposing sideline you will find former Kentucky wide receiver Bryce Oliver. Through two games the Florida native has 10 receptions for 121 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore linebacker Devin Johnson, a Johnson Central product, picked off two passes in the season-opener vs. Duquesne. Griffin Hoak, the younger brother of former Wildcat Gunnar Hoak, has started at linebacker for 21 straight games.