Kentucky Offensive Line Named a Joe Moore Award Semifinalist
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky offensive line has been named one of 10 semifinalists for the Joe Moore Award, recognizing the most outstanding offensive line unit in college football, it was announced Wednesday.
The UK offensive line has helped power the Wildcats to a 7-2 record and a No. 11 ranking in the College Football Playoffs in head coach Will Stein’s first season.
“The last three seasons, I’ve been fortunate to have three elite offensive lines with draft picks and Joe Moore Award finalists, and this group in particular is as talented as I’ve been around, all the way across the board,” Stein said.
Playing one of the nation’s toughest schedules — ranked as the fourth-most difficult in the country by the CFP — the experience and toughness of the “Big Blue Wall” has spearheaded the Cats’ offense in 2026. Savvy pass protection has helped UK lead the Southeastern Conference in completion percentage (.694) and rank eighth in the country. Kentucky ranks first in both the SEC and 15th nationally in fewest penalties (43) and fewest penalties per game (4.78).
Another crucial stat, turnover margin, has gone in favor of the Wildcats this season. UK has a plus-1.11 margin per game, leading the SEC and seventh nationally.
Most important has been the group’s ability to produce with the game – literally – on the line. Kentucky was behind at some point in every game of their six-game win streak, yet the O-Line did what was needed to help rally the Wildcats. Highlights included:
- Trailing 14-7 vs. South Alabama, Kentucky scored on four straight possessions to take control of the game
- Ditto at Texas A&M; trailing 7-0, the Wildcats scored on five straight possessions to take control
- Behind by three points in the fourth quarter at South Carolina, the Wildcats marched 66 yards and made a field goal to send the game to overtime. After USC scored a touchdown in overtime, the O-Line drove the Cats to the end zone, then provided the protection for the game-winning two-point conversion pass
- Déjà vu a week later vs. LSU: a 67-yard drive and field goal sent the game to overtime; LSU scored first in overtime, but once again the Big Blue Wall took the Wildcats to the end zone; on the two-point conversion, the line opened a gaping hole up the middle and quarterback Kenny Minchey scampered untouched for the game-winner
- In the fourth quarter at Oklahoma, UK came back from a 13-7 deficit for a 21-13 win
- Behind 10-0 vs. Vanderbilt, Kentucky scored on six straight possessions to claim the game
All totaled, the Wildcats’ starting offensive line has combined to play in 209 career games with 130 combined starts. Left tackle Lance Heard has played in 44 career games with 33 starts, while right guard Tegra Tshabola has started in 38 of 52 career games. Center Coleton Price has appeared in 41 games with 39 starting nods and left guard Olaus Alinen has appeared in 41 career games with nine starts. Right tackle, the lone returning cog in the wall from 2025, Malachi Wood has seen action in 30 career games and has 13 starts.
Kentucky’s offensive execution has led to an 82.5% clip in the red zone, 29.9 points per game, 219.9 passing yards per game, 163.7 rushing yards per game and 383.6 total yards of offense.
Heard is a Lombardi Award semifinalist and was selected as an On3 Midseason First-Team All-American. He is also one to watch for the Outland Trophy. Price earned a Sports Illustrated Midseason Second-Team All-America nod and is on the Rimington Trophy Midseason Watch List.
Offensive line coach Cutter Leftwich has led back-to-back offensive lines to Moore Award semifinalist status. Oregon’s offensive line was a finalist for the award in 2025. Assistant offensive line coach Dallas Warmack, senior offensive line analyst Adam Kleffner and graduate assistant coach Paul Rodriguez also have helped the Wildcats average 4.7 per carry, total 1,473 rushing yards and score 16 rushing touchdowns.
Against South Alabama, the Big Blue Wall opened holes to the tune of 390 net rushing yards and a trio of backs all eclipsed the 100-rushing total for the second time in program history. Pro Football Focus named three Wildcats to its College Team of the Week – Heard, Price and Tshabola. Heard also was chosen SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week for his performance in the win at South Carolina.
According to ESPN, Kentucky’s starting offensive line averages 6’5.2” in height and 324 pounds. The starting five is taller than 25 NFL offensive lines and heavier than 26 NFL lines.
After the finalists have been selected, a vote will be held to select the 2026 recipient of the Joe Moore Award by a voting body of 200-plus members. This voting body includes all of the current offensive line coaches at the Division I/FBS level, as well as former players, coaches, colleagues of Coach Moore and select media members.
In addition to reviewing game tape every week of the season, the Joe Moore Award voting committee will later go through each of the finalists’ season-long highlight reels and multiple back-to-back quarters of game film.
The Joe Moore Award is named after Joe Moore, widely regarded as one of the best offensive line coaches in college football history, most notably for his work at Notre Dame and the University of Pittsburgh. Coach Moore sent 52 players to the NFL, including Bill Fralic, Mark May, Russ Grimm, Jimbo Covert and others. The Joe Moore Award trophy, crafted by legendary sports sculptor Jerry McKenna, is the largest trophy in college football, standing at a height of 6 feet and weighing in at 800 pounds. The perpetual trophy is made available for display by the winning university until the conclusion of the following college football season.
Find out more at joemooreaward.com and follow the Joe Moore Award on Twitter (@joemooreaward), Instagram (@joemooreaward), and Facebook (facebook.com/JoeMooreAward).
Kentucky returns to action Nov. 14 when the Wildcats play host to Florida at 6:15 p.m. ET. The game will air live on ESPN from Kroger Field.
For complete coverage of the Wildcats, follow @UKFootball on social media and visit UKathletics.com.
