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Who's next for Texas football: A look at the Kentucky Wildcats

Joe Cookby: Joe Cook10/13/25josephcook89
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Oct 16, 2021; Athens, Georgia, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops looks on from the sidelines during the first half against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Texas moves into the second half of the season on Saturday with the program’s first-ever road trip to Lexington, Ky. to face the Kentucky Wildcats. Here’s an early look at Mark Stoops’ program.

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Upcoming opponent: Kentucky Wildcats

Head coach: Mark Stoops, 13th year (79-76)

2025 record: 2-3 (0-3 SEC)

Last game: 35-14 loss at Georgia

Star offensive performer last time out: WR Kendrick Law – 6 catches, 64 yards, 1 TD

Star defensive player last time out: DB JQ Hardaway – 11 tackles

Quarterbacks:

Offense: Kentucky offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan coached under Steve Sarkisian with the Atlanta Falcons in 2017 before heading to Washington. There, he coached with Chris Petersen for a couple of years before stops at Missouri and Boise State. After Liam Cohen returned to the NFL, Stoops added Hamden to his staff. Things in theory look like what Sarkisian wants to run, but without much of a run game to speak of and a lot of good receivers playing on other teams these days, the Wildcats like to throw deep prayers and hope they are received. If not, they’re trying to make things work with Seth McGowan and Dante Dowdell on the ground.

Defense: Stoops and longtime defensive coordinator Brad White run a mix of looks at the line of scrimmage. It typically boils down to three down linemen with one standup weakside EDGE, two off-ball linebackers, and five defensive backs. Sometimes, that weakside EDGE player moves around the defense and may or may not bring pressure, giving Stoops and White a good menu of sim pressures to use. This season, Kentucky is No. 109 in total defense and No. 98 in yards per play allowed.

Texans on the roster

Former Longhorns on the roster:

  • None

This guy is still on their team?

OL Josh Braun – Remember Texas OL Parker Braun? Josh is his little brother. Josh enrolled at Florida in 2020 and played 11 games as a true freshman, then started seven games at guard for the Gators in 2021. He redshirted in 2022, then played two seasons at Arkansas in 2023 in 2024. In 2023, he was a second-team All-SEC selection by the AP. He is spending his final season of eligibility at Kentucky, where he starts at left guard. Braun has been married to the former Ms. Azucena Gonzalez. His UK bio says “after football, his dream job is to be a theologian and has plans to pursue a master’s degree in divinity and a doctorate in theology when his playing days are over.”

Last matchup: The Longhorns and Wildcats faced off for the first time in almost 75 years in 2024. The Longhorns won an ugly game 31-14, with both teams giving the ball away twice. There were 11 total fumbles in the game. Tre Wisner rushed 26 times for 158 yards and one score, Jaydon Blue had 15 carries for 96 yards and one score, and Gunnar Helm caught two touchdowns.

All-time series: 2-0 Texas

Upcoming matchup

  • Teams: No. 21 Texas vs. Kentucky
  • Date: October 18
  • Time: 6 p.m.
  • Location: Kroger Field – Lexington, Ky.
  • TV: ESPN

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