Big Blue Preview: Kentucky vs. Eastern Michigan
Info to Know
| Kentucky vs. Eastern Michigan | When: Sat., Sept. 13, 7:30 ET | Where: Kroger Field, Lexington, Ky. | TV: ESPNU | Radio: UK Sports Network |
Preview
After suffering its first loss of the season on Saturday, Kentucky will attempt to bounce back as the Cats host Eastern Michigan on Saturday night at Kroger Field (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPNU).
Kentucky took a 10-0 lead over No. 20/14 Ole Miss last Saturday, but the Rebels rallied for the victory. Still, UK had its chances late in the game, but the Cats were unable to convert.
Eastern Michigan is 0-2 on the season, having lost at Texas State and at home to Long Island.
Cat Scratches: Cats Preparing Boley, Calzada for Saturday’s Game Against Eastern Michigan
In Saturday’s loss to Ole Miss, the Kentucky offense made some big plays. On Tuesday, offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan told the media that he thought his unit could have been even more productive against the Rebels.
“I think it’s frustrating. There’s no sugar coating,” Hamdan said. “We thought we could have put up 30-plus points in that game. Self-inflicted wounds. We made plays. The reality of the matter is, the formation mix up, the halftime issue, substitutions, we’re not going to recover from that. We know we’ve got to play better at all levels.”
Hamdan is focusing himself, his coaching staff and his offense on the positives. Hamdan believes that the Cats have the pieces and the scheme to be a very productive offense…Read More
KENTUCKY-EASTERN MICHIGAN
The Series
• Kentucky leads the series with Eastern Michigan, 2-0.
• Both contests were played in Lexington in 2017 and 2019.
• In 2017, Kentucky won, 24-20, as an end zone interception by Mike Edwards late in the game preserved the Wildcat win.
• In 2019, Kentucky won, 28-17. For more on this game, see below.
• The Wildcats are 35-9-1 all-time against teams from the MAC. The Cats have won eight in a row against teams from the MAC, dating back to 2004.
• Kentucky defeated Toledo, the MAC preseason favorite, in the season opener, 24-16, on Aug. 30 at Kroger Field.
• FUN FACT: Las Vegas Raiders star pass rusher, Maxx Crosby, moonlights as the Eagles’ assistant general manager.
In the Last Meeting
• Kentucky defeated Eastern Michigan, 38-17, on Sept. 7, 2019.
• The Wildcats’ offense had 461 yards of total offense (222 passing, 239 rushing), while the defense combined for two interceptions, two sacks, one forced fumble, five pass breakups and held the Eagles to under 50 yards on the ground.
• Quarterback Sawyer Smith entered the game for an injured Terry Wilson in the third quarter and connected with Ahmad Wagner for a 54-yard scoring strike on his first pass attempt as a Wildcat. He finished the game 5-of-9 for 76 yards and two scores.
• Lynn Bowden Jr., wide receiver, caught seven passes for 54 yards and a touchdown, rushed twice for 17 yards and completed a 32-yard pass to quarterback Terry Wilson.
• Kavosiey Smoke, running back, delivered a career-high 92 yards rushing and a score on just 11 carries, including a 32-yard scamper for a touchdown.
• Asim “AJ” Rose, running back, had a career-high 17 carries for 82 yards, including an eight-yard touchdown run.
• Kash Daniel, linebacker, picked off his first career interception. He added five tackles.
• Jordan Griffin, safety, had his first interception of the season. He also notched the first quarterback sack of his career and had a career-high two pass breakups.
The Connections
• Kentucky outside linebacker Wyatt Phyle (Clarkston) and UK offensive lineman Darrin Strey (Paw Paw) hail from Michigan.
• Eastern Michigan freshman quarterback Bryce Button (Bowling Green) is from Kentucky.
• Also, EMU Director of Sports Performance Deonte Mack spent four years as part of Kentucky’s Sports Science staff (2016-20).
By the Numbers
2
Wins, in two tries, for Kentucky against Eastern Michigan all time
9
Consecutive games with a tackle for a loss by Alex Afari, the second longest streak in school history
48
Home wins for Mark Stoops at UK, the most of any coach in program history
52
Career games played for UK offensive lineman Joshua Braun, the most on the 2025 Kentucky roster
111
Rushing yards needed for Dante Dowdell to reach 1,000 rushing yards in his career
