Blue Preview: Your one-click guide to Kentucky’s home finale vs. New Mexico State
Kentucky vs. New Mexico State
When: Noon (EST), Saturday.
Where: Kroger Field (capacity 61,000).
TV: SEC Network (play-by-play, Taylor Zarzour; analysis, Matt Stinchcomb; sideline, Tera Talmadge)
Radio: WLAP-AM 630, WBUL-FM 98.1.
Satellite Radio: XM Channel 81, Sirius Channel 81, Internet Channel 81
Records: Kentucky (7-3, 5-3 SEC); New Mexico State (1-9 as an independent)
Series history: Kentucky leads 1-0.
Last meeting: Kentucky beat New Mexico State 62-42 at Kroger Field on Sept. 17, 2016.
Line: Kentucky is favored by 36 points.
The story line
Kentucky will bid farewell to program-cornerstone seniors including Darian Kinnard, Josh Ali, Josh Paschal and Yusuf Corker in the 2021 season’s home finale while welcoming ex-UK quarterback and current New Mexico State Coach Doug Martin back to the stadium where he played.
The number to watch
Wan’Dale Robinson’s receptions. With 77 catches, the former Western Hills High School star needs 14 more receptions to pass James Whalen (90 catches in 1999) for the Kentucky single-season record. Both for potential recruiting benefits as well as to reward Robinson for transferring home from Nebraska, expect the UK coaching staff to work hard to get the ball into the slot receiver’s hands.
The big threat
Chris Ojoh. The New Mexico State junior linebacker has been a one-man disruption unit in 2021. The 6-foot-1, 220-pound transfer from Eastern Washington has recorded 63 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, four quarterback hurries and has forced three fumbles. In NMSU’s 59-3 loss at Alabama last week, Ojoh had 13 tackles, three TFL, a sack and a forced fumble.
On the spot
Mark Stoops. Based on each team’s prior performance in 2021, Kentucky should have its way with New Mexico State. When the Wildcats were perceived to be in a similar position against FCS foe Chattanooga in the season’s third week, they turned in a flat performance that almost got them beat. It is incumbent on the UK head coach to ensure that does not happen again vs. NMSU.
The mood
Is looking ahead. To a large extent, the level of contentment the BBN feels toward the 2021 Kentucky football season will be determined by how the Wildcats fare in the season-ending battle with archrival Louisville. UK turning in a crisp effort against over-matched New Mexico State would help build positive momentum going into the battle for the Governor’s Cup.
This story was originally published November 15, 2021 at 1:17 AM.
