Kentucky football gets good news on injured starters ahead of Texas game
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Preview: No. 21 Texas at Kentucky football
Click below to read more of the Herald-Leader and Kentucky.com’s preview coverage ahead of Saturday’s Kentucky-Texas game at Kroger Field.
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Kentucky football had to play most of the second half of its loss at Georgia without one of its few offensive bright spots this season.
But following the Wildcats’ bye week, running back Seth McGowan and cornerback DJ Waller are on track to return for Saturday’s game against Texas.
“DJ has been chomping at the bit,” Stoops said. “… He’s been very close, but he should have a full week this week. And Seth would be close as well.”
McGowan ranks fourth in the Southeastern Conference in rushing yards per game (86.2) and third in the league in rushing touchdowns (seven). He totaled just 44 yards on 11 carries at Georgia before leaving the game early in the third quarter with an undisclosed injury.
After the 35-14 loss, Stoops revealed the injury was an issue McGowan had already been dealing with for some time that was reaggravated during the game.
Waller was expected to serve as Kentucky’s top cornerback this season but has only played in the season-opening win against Toledo. He did participate in warmups before the Georgia game but did not play.
“It’s one of those injuries that, with a hamstring, that’s touchy,” Stoops said before the Georiga game. “It’s very frustrating for him. He’s worked very hard and you heard us talking a lot about him in the camp and throughout the summer. … For guys that have never been through that before, you try to educate him and help him and talk through it about how you feel like you’re OK, but then the minute you have to cover somebody and open it up, it’s just a different deal.”
This story was originally published October 13, 2025 at 12:35 PM.
