Saturday night lights return to Kroger Field for the first time this season as Kentucky Football hosts Eastern Michigan in a Week 3 non-conference matchup. The Wildcats are coming off a disappointing loss to Ole Miss, where offensive struggles continued and Zach Calzada was replaced late by Cutter Boley. With questions still lingering on that side of the ball, this primetime opportunity against a winless EMU squad gives Mark Stoops’ team a chance to reset, build confidence, and prepare for next week’s SEC road test at No. 15 South Carolina.
Let’s get ready for the Cats and Eagles in a must-impress game for Kentucky.
This is an out-of-conference matchup, so availability reports will not be released. On the Kentucky side, quarterback Zach Calzada has the most notable injury after leaving last week’s game in the second half. Calzada did not practice most of the week, if at all. Also, cornerback DJ Waller missed last week’s game and could miss a second straight.
Kentucky and Eastern Michigan have two prior meetings, most recently in Week 2 of the 2019 season. It’s a game Kentucky fans don’t remember fondly. The Wildcats won, but starting quarterback Terry Wilson, fresh off a Citrus Bowl season, was carted off with a season-ending knee injury from a horse-collar tackle. Wilson had just thrown for 246 yards and two touchdowns in Week 1 before his season ended against Eastern on September 7.
As for the rest of the game, Kentucky scored 38 points on the Eagles in a 38-17 win, including two touchdown passes by backup quarterback Sawyer Smith. Smith would get injured three weeks later, paving the way for Lynn Bowden to step in as the emergency quarterback.
Kentucky’s other game against Eastern occurred two years earlier in 2017, when the Eagles gave the Wildcats a scare in Kroger Field. The game was tied 14-14 at halftime before Austin MacGinnis and Benny Snell tacked 10 points on the scoreboard in the second half, leading Kentucky to a 24-20 victory.
Consider joining the conversation on KSBoard if you want to interact with the KSR crew during the game. A live discussion can be found in the game thread, plus several other topics and conversations about the Wildcats and more.
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Chris Creighton
At last check, Saturday’s forecast has a high of 86 and a low of 60, so the all-day tailgaters will face some heat as they pregame on the pavement outside Kroger Field. Remember to drink plenty of water. Then, temperatures will drop for Kentucky’s first night game in Lexington. No rain is expected. Mostly warm and sunny for Week 3.
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Be sure to tune in to the KSR Pregame Show at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, live from KSBar & Grille. Even better, be at KSBar & Grille before, during, or after the game.
