KSR Gameday: Kentucky Hosts EKU at Kroger Field

by:Nick Roush•09/09/23•

RoushKSR

The Kentucky Wildcats return to Kroger Field Saturday afternoon to host their neighbors from Richmond. Walt Wells and the Eastern Kentucky Colonels will make the short drive up I-75 for an intrastate matchup that kicks off at 3 pm EST.

The Colonels hope this trip up I-75 works out better than the last. EKU kicked off the season with a 66-13 loss to Cincinnati. The Bearcats rolled up 650+ yards of offense and held EKU to just 3-of-11 on third down. It was an ugly affair that highlighted the Colonels’ porous pass defense, something Devin Leary and Liam Coen will try to exploit this afternoon.

Kentucky opened the season by covering with a 30-point win over Ball State. The Cats scored on defense and special teams, yet the offense did leave much to be desired. Mark Stoops sent out a call to action, demanding a closer attention to detail this week. We’ll see if the Cats can answer the call with a dominant victory over EKU.

Kentucky Football Gameday Schedule

11:00: KSR Pregame Show begins on 630 WLAP
Noon: $1 Gameday LexTran Shuttle Starts
12:45: The Cat Walk outside Gate 1
3:00: Kickoff on SEC Network+ and ESPN+

If you’re coming to KSBar for gameday, here’s where you can, and can’t, park.

Back to football. Back in Kroger Field tomorrow. Let's go, #BBN! pic.twitter.com/XSqrXelxjY
— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) September 8, 2023

Kentucky vs. EKU: TV, Radio, Line

Kentucky is a 35.5-point favorite against EKU with a total set at 56. The Cats covered in week 1 while the Colonels fell far short of the spread vs. Cincinnati. Mark Stoops is 4-5 against the spread when facing FCS foes.

Peter Sousa and Takeo Spikes will be on the call for SEC Network+ and ESPN+. If you’re not sure how to access the game via streaming platform, let Mrs. Tyler provide a thorough explanation on how to watch today’s game.

Kickoff is scheduled for 3 pm EST. 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 133 or 191, SXM app 962

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

Cougar Bait 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.

Heroes Day at Kroger Field

UK Athletics is offering specially-priced tickets to military, law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services and government employees to celebrate Heroes Day. Register here to claim your discounted tickets to watch the Cats vs. the Colonels. Arrive early to see the National Anthem performed by Kenyatta Gaines, the mother of Kentucky long snapper Ron Gaines, who doubles as the “Voice of the Chicago Police Department.”

Homecoming for CJ Conrad

He was on the Kentucky sideline just a few months ago. Now the former UK tight end is back in Lexington coaching for the other team. EKU’s new tight ends coach will be in the booth this Saturday. He shared what he learned from Vince Marrow after spending seven years in Lexington as a player and assistant.

“When I got the (EKU) job, I’m a young coach. You gotta make sure your players respect you first and foremost. (Vince) has that respect over there and that’s why those guys — are they perfect? No. But every week they strain. They go hard. In this industry if your guys can do that, they may not be perfect but they’re going to come out winners in the end and that’s what I’m trying to do,” Conrad told 11 Personnel.

Conrad isn’t the only former Cat on the EKU staff. Maxwell Smith is the quarterbacks coach and Walt Well spent a couple of seasons working for Stoops prior to taking the job at EKU.