What Kentucky football’s win over Akron means for SEC play, 2023 season
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Game day: Kentucky 35, Akron 3
Click below for more of the Herald-Leader’s and Kentucky.com’s coverage of Saturday’s Kentucky-Akron football game at Kroger Field in Lexington.
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Kentucky football moved to 3-0 on the 2023 season with a 35-3 win over Akron on Saturday. With the win, the Wildcats’ focus shifts to Southeastern Conference play starting next week at Vanderbilt.
Here is a closer look at what the victory means beyond the scoreboard.
Time for the main event
Opening the season with the annual FCS game sandwiched between two Group of Five opponents provided Kentucky an opportunity to work out some kinks with so many new faces playing important roles, but it would be difficult to argue the quality of competition will do much to prepare the Wildcats for what lies ahead.
Opening the SEC schedule at Vanderbilt looks like a favorable draw for Kentucky as well, but the Commodores proved last season Kentucky is not good enough to overlook them. Even if UK takes care of business in Nashville, games against Florida, Georgia and Missouri loom before the off week.
Kentucky has not lost a regular season non-conference game since the 2017 Governor’s Cup game versus Louisville, but the Wildcats are 20-22 in SEC play since that game.
This is the latest fans have had to wait to see Kentucky against an SEC foe in 10 years. The last time Kentucky opened the season with three consecutive nonconference games was 2013. The last time UK opened the season with three straight nonconference wins was 2010.
Liam Coen returns
The week started on a worrisome note when offensive coordinator Liam Coen was hospitalized Sunday after suffering what UK called a “medical episode” while working alongside other coaches at the practice facility.
By Tuesday Coen was back at practice, and Wednesday he told reporters he had no concerns about performing his normal coaching duties during games.
“It was just one of those things,” Coen said. “Kind of a freak thing. I feel really good right now. Just trying to take it a little bit easier. Maybe it’s good for my life moving forward that I just chill out a little bit, but yeah, it’s one of those things.
“I appreciate everybody’s support and care and concern, but I’m here and I’m good.”
There was at least one change to Coen’s normal routine as he coached from the press box against Akron rather than on the sideline as normal. Wide receivers coach Scott Woodward, who normally coaches from the press box, was on the sideline instead.
Coen’s return to coaching was not a surprise after his comments Wednesday, but it still represented a positive end to an emotional week.
This story was originally published September 16, 2023 at 10:39 PM.
