Productive Spring to Culminate with Blue-White Game Friday
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky will take the field under the lights at Kroger Field for the first time since the conclusion of a historic 2018 season on Friday. The Wildcats will host their annual Blue-White Spring Game at 6 p.m., capping a productive spring practice season as they prepare for Mark Stoops’ seventh season as head coach.
“I’m looking forward to the spring game (Friday), wrapping up the spring,” Stoops said. “It’s been a very productive spring. It’s been a long time. Guys have put in a lot of work. We had a good, strong winter. Guys were lifting and running and the spring, we stretch it out. Going three days a week for five weeks, it’s a lot of work.”
UK finished the 2018 season with a VRBO Citrus Bowl victory over Penn State, a record of 10-3 – the best for the program in 41 years – and a final Coaches Poll ranking of No. 11. The Cats return starting quarterback Terry Wilson, linebacker Kash Daniel and most of the main contributors from stout offensive and defensive lines, but have used the spring to cultivate the next generation of stars with the departure of National Defensive Player of the Year Josh Allen, all-time leading rusher Benny Snell Jr. and one of the most decorated senior classes in school history.
“I’m pleased,” Stoops said. “We have a long way to go, but that’s what spring’s for. We gotta wrap this up and continue to have a really solid summer, but it’s been productive. We know we have some holes to fill and guys are working hard and we’re well aware of that. I feel like there are some other areas of this team that there’s some strength and we have some experience and some really good players. We’re looking to grow in those areas and looking to improve where we’re inexperienced.”
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| Kentucky Blue/White Spring Game | ||
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| Fri., Apr. 12 – 6 p.m. ET Kroger Field Lexington, Ky. Gameday App |
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| Coverage | ||
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TV: SEC Network |
Fans will get their first glimpse of the 2019 Wildcats at the Blue-White Spring Game. Tickets are available through the following outlets:
- Online at Ticketmaster.com
- In person at the Joe Craft Center ticket office from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
- In person on game day at Kroger Field (tickets will be available beginning at 3 p.m. at guest services locations outside gates 1, 4, 9 and 12)
- NOTE: Tickets are free but there is a small service charge per ticket for online orders
UK students may claim two free general admission tickets in the official student section (sections 38-39) through the UK Athletics app, while supplies lasts. Once tickets are sold out through the app, students may obtain free reserved tickets in person at the Joe Craft Center ticket office or at the stadium on game day. Unlike the regular season, student tickets may enter through any open gate on game day.
Parking lots surrounding Kroger Field will open at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, with parking available on a first-come, first-served basis. Permits are not required to access any lot. Regular-season parking rules and regulations will be in place for the spring game.
There will be no Cat Walk for the spring game, but fans are invited to the gate 12 plaza for a photo opportunity with the Governor’s Cup and Citrus Bowl trophies last year’s team. The trophies will be in place beginning at 4:30 p.m.
With guest services locations distributing game tickets, the UK Ticket Office location between gates 9 and 10 will open at 3 p.m. to assist fans interested in renewing or purchasing 2019 season tickets. After gates open one hour prior to kickoff at 5 p.m., the interior Ticket Office location, located inside gate 12, will open for the same purpose.
The SEC’s clear bag policy will be in place for the spring game. Each fan will be permitted to carry one large clear bag – either a one-gallon Ziploc-style bag or a 12″ x 6″ x 12″ clear bag – plus a small clutch that does not exceed 4.5″ x 6.5″. A clear bag shall be clear from top-to-bottom and up to a 2″ trim/border on the bag is generally acceptable. The small clutch allows privacy for small personal items and is also easily searched. Non-compliant bags — empty or not — may not be carried inside compliant clear bags. Backpacks and drawstring/cinch bags are not permitted.
Complete game-day information for fans attending the spring game can be found at UKathletics.com/gameday. Fans can email any questions about game day to BBNfirst@uky.edu.
The format of the game will pit the Blue team vs. White team for four 10-minute quarters with normal game scoring. Quarterbacks and specialists will play for both teams.
The 2019 season will kick off on Aug. 31 when the Wildcats host Toledo. Football season ticket information can be found online at UKFootballTix.com.
