Big Blue Preview: Kentucky vs. Akron
Info to Know
| Kentucky vs. Akron | When: Sat., Sept. 16, 7:30 p.m. ET | Where: Kroger Field, Lexington, Ky. | TV: ESPNU | Radio: UK Sports Network |
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Preview
The University of Kentucky football program completes its three-game homestand when it hosts Akron on Saturday, Sept. 16 at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPNU. The Wildcats will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of Kroger Field, formerly named Commonwealth Stadium, during the game, which officially opened on Sept. 15, 1973. The game also will mark Girl Scout Day, Alumni Band Day and Extra Yard for Teachers Day during the nonconference matchup.
The Wildcats will play their first game under the lights this season when they host the Zips. The Cats are 16-4 in their last 20 home night games, while the Cats went 3-1 last season in night games at Kroger Field. UK will host Akron for just the second time in program history, with the Wildcats topping the Zips, 47-10, during their lone all-time meeting in 2010.
Kentucky Defense Working on ‘Fixable’ Items
Through two games, the Kentucky defense has held both of its opponents under 20 points. The Cats held Ball State under 300 yards and allowed just 311 total yards to Eastern Kentucky.
Despite these solid numbers, Kentucky defensive coordinator Brad White knows that his unit still has some items to get fixed.
“I think everybody’s focused on what we’ve got to do,” White said. “There’s games that everybody thinks you’ve played really good defense and there were little details that people didn’t see and you were very close to playing not such good defense that game. I thought we were really close to playing a really good game on defense. But that is the difference – little things. Execution plays, opportunities to get off on third down, opportunities to, instead of being third and four, we could have had it at third and eight.”
While those issues are present, White knows that there aren’t things that the Cats can’t get corrected…Read More
Kentucky-Akron Series
• Kentucky leads the series with Akron, 1-0.
• The last time the two teams met was on Sept. 18, 2010, when the Wildcats defeated the Zips, 47-10, in Lexington.
Kentucky-Akron Connections
• Kentucky defensive lineman Ben Christman, who was injured during fall camp and is out for the season, is a native of Akron, Ohio.
• Akron’s roster includes one player from the state of Kentucky in running back Blake Hester of Ashland, Kentucky.
• This season, Hester has returned five kickoffs for a combined 139 yards, including a 47-yard kickoff return against Morgan State on Sept. 9.
• Also on Akron’s roster is former UK tight end Nik Ognenovic.
• He transfered to Akron after two years at UK (2019-2020) where he saw action in two games as a freshman in 2019, including his first career reception against Tennessee Martin on Nov. 23, 2019.
A UK Win Would …
• Give UK its 23rd nonconference win in its last 24 nonconference games (includes bowl games).
• Give UK its 19th straight nonconference win in the regular season.
• Give UK its 17th straight nonconference win at Kroger Field.
• Extend head coach Mark Stoops’ all-time school records for wins to 69 and home wins to 49.
By the Numbers
2
Tackles needed by UK linebacker Trevin Wallace to reach 100 tackles in his career
17
Consecutive nonconference wins for Kentucky, the nation’s third longest streak in that category
48
Career field goals for UK’s Alex Raynor, which is tied for sixth nationally among all active FBS players
50
Career games played by UK kicker Chance Poore, most among all Kentucky players
2,609
Career rushing yards for UK running back Ray Davis, which is sixth nationally among all FBS players
