Blue Preview: Storyline, odds, who to watch for UK football vs. Eastern Kentucky
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Preview: EKU at Kentucky
Click below to read more of the Herald-Leader’s and Kentucky.com’s preview coverage ahead of Saturday’s Kentucky-Eastern Kentucky football game at 3 p.m. at Kroger Field.
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Kentucky vs. Eastern Kentucky
When: 3 p.m. Saturday (Sept. 9).
TV: None. Game broadcast is available only via internet streaming on ESPN+ or SEC Network+.
Announcers: Play-by-play Peter Sousa; analysis Takeo Spikes
Radio: WLAP-AM 630, WBUL-FM 98.1.
Satellite Radio: XM Channel 191, Sirius Channel 133, Internet Channel 962.
Records: Kentucky 1-0; Eastern Kentucky 0-1.
Series history: Kentucky leads 5-0.
Most-recent meeting: Stephen Johnson threw for 224 yards and a touchdown and ran for 48 yards and a score as Kentucky beat Eastern Kentucky 27-16 on Sept. 9, 2017, at Kroger Field.
Line: Due to EKU being an FCS opponent, there are no odds.
The storyline
Kentucky comes off an uneven showing in its 44-14 victory over Ball State in the season opener. It was a game when the Wildcats’ on-field performance did not always reflect their ultimate margin of victory. Against what will be a highly motivated, in-state opponent, Mark Stoops will try to coax more-consistent execution and fewer “aggravating” mistakes from the troops.
The number to watch
UK’s number of offensive plays. For reasons good (two touchdowns not scored by the offense) and bad (4-for-9 third-down conversion rate), Kentucky ran only 51 plays vs. Ball State. To find an offensive rhythm and to make use of more of the Wildcats’ offensive weapons, Liam Coen’s unit needs more work Saturday.
The big threat
Parker McKinney. EKU’s super-senior quarterback will travel to Lexington needing 106 yards through the air to go over 10,000 passing yards for his college career. A 6-foot-3, 208-pound product of Coalfield, Tennessee, McKinney threw for 3,956 yards and 33 touchdowns in 2022 while leading the Colonels to a berth in the FCS playoffs. He completed 13 of 24 passes for 177 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions in the Colonels’ season-opening 66-13 loss at Cincinnati.
On the spot
Devin Leary. In his first game as Kentucky starting quarterback, the North Carolina State transfer showed some rust after missing the last six games of last season due to injury. Against Ball State, Leary had a rough first half (8 of 20 passing, an interception) and a promising second half (10 of 11, a touchdown throw) to finish 18 of 31 for 241 yards. This week against EKU, Kentucky needs the 6-1, 217-pound product of Sicklerville, New Jersey, to continue his momentum from last week’s second half.
The mood
Remains hopeful. Kentucky backers might not have gotten the offensive fireworks they hoped to see in the opener but did get a 30-point win. However, if the UK offense does not look infinitely better in week two against an FCS defense that surrendered 667 yards to Cincinnati, the mood within the BBN will darken quickly.
This story was originally published September 4, 2023 at 8:49 AM.
