Welcome to the open game thread for the Kentucky Wildcats vs. the Kent St. Golden Flashes. After starting the season 0-1 with a loss to rival Louisville, the Wildcats are looking to bounce back against FCS Kent St., who won their opener with the Towson St. Tigers last week.
Game particulars as follows, courtesy of UKAthletics.com:
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| Kentucky vs. Kent State | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sat., Sept. 8 - 7:30 p.m. ET Lexington, Ky. Gameday Information Commonwealth Stadium Game Notes: UK  | KSU | ||
| Coverage | ||
| TV: CSS -- also available on Comcast Sports Net Mid Atlantic (DC/Balt), Comcast Sports Net Bay Area (San Fran/Northern Cal), Comcast SportsNet New England Radio: UK IMG  Live Video via ESPN3 Live Audio Postgame Press Conference Text Updates |
Kentucky comes into this game with a defense that simply could not stop Louisville in any way, shape or form. We have heard all week from players, coaches, and everybody associated with the program that Kentucky's defense was better than they showed last week. We'll see.
Kent St. comes in having allowed Towson St. to roll up 249 yards on them through the air, but they did hold the Tigers to only 70 yards on the ground. Kent St. has never defeated Kentucky in six previous attempts.
To win, Kentucky must:
- Move the football on the ground, and through the air. Last week UK managed to accomplish only the latter;
- Prove that their defense is not as bad as it was against the Cardinals, because if it is, this season is in trouble early;
- Hold on to the football;
- Take advantage of their superior size and speed.
To win, Kent St. must:
- Force UK into turnovers;
- Create big plays on special teams;
- Throw the football well against Kentucky's weak secondary;
- Get a little bit lucky.
Needless to say, this falls into the "must win" category for Kentucky, and a loss to an FCS team in the second game of the season might spell the death knell for Joker Phillips as head coach. But I don't expect that to happen. The bigger and more dangerous test will be next week against Western Kentucky University.
Go, 'Cats!