Kentucky Football vs. Central Michigan Chippewas: Everything to know

Finally, football is set to return to the Bluegrass.

It comes in Week 1 of the 2018 college football season, as the Kentucky Wildcats will host the Central Michigan Chippewas at Kroger Field.

Coming off back-to-back bowl appearances, Kentucky is banking on an experienced roster to take the next step in 2018 in its climb up the SEC hierarchy. The journey begins this Saturday with kickoff set for 3:30 p.m. EST on ESPNU.

The Cats return 19 total starters, the 11th most in the country, to a team that has won 14 games the past two seasons, including eight in league play. Led by All-America candidates Josh Allen (OLB), C.J. Conrad (TE) and Benny Snell Jr. (RB), and a defense that has 14 of its top 19 tacklers back, the Cats are primed for a breakthrough.

Kentucky enters this game sporting an 86-36-5 (.705) all-time record in season openers and are 3-2 under coach Mark Stoops. The Wildcats have won eight of their past 11 season openers, including a road win at Southern Miss last season.

This is coach Mark Stoops’ sixth season in Lexington and the Wildcats have either matched or exceeded the previous season’s win total in each of the past five seasons.

Central Michigan went 8-5 last season and finished second in the MAC West Division at 6-2. The Chippewas return 14 starters: five on offense, six on defense, 3 specialists.

Running back Jonathan Ward headlines the offense, having rushed for 1,019 yards and 10 touchdowns last season while averaging 5.7 yards per carry. He also caught 48 passes for 470 yards and three scores.

The defense returns two of its top three tacklers, including Alex Briones (83 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks and three interceptions).

CMU has posted a winning record in nine of the past 13 seasons, including a 12-win season in 2009.

Kentucky leads the all-time series 6-0. All six games have been played in Lexington, the latest of which was a 27-13 victory in 2011. UK is 19-3 all-time vs. teams from the current alignment of the Mid-American Conference, including nine straight wins.

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