Kentucky Tops Youngstown State for Stein's First Win
Quarterback Kenny Minchey connected on 18 of 27 through the air for 301 yards and four touchdowns as Kentucky opened its season with a 45-13 win over Youngstown State at Kroger Field.
The win was the first as a head coach for new UK mentor Will Stein.
Minchey’s four touchdown passes went to four different players. Mikkel Skinner caught four passes for 61 yards and a score, while fellow tight end Willie Rodriguez also caught four passes, amassing 48 yards and a touchdown. Freshman Kenny Darby led the Cats with 78 receiving yards, including a touchdown, while fellow freshman Prince Jean caught two passes for 27 yards and a score.
Kentucky (1-0) rushed for 191 yards, led by Jason Patterson, who had 78 yards on the ground. CJ Baxter had nine carries for 48 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Kentucky received the opening kickoff and the Cats quickly earned a pair of first downs, including on a 33-yard completion from Minchey to freshman Darby. Minchey connected with Rodriguez for a 12-yard gain to get UK into the red zone. Baxter would score on a 15-yard run for the first points of the season for the Cats. Adam Zouagui added the point after and Kentucky led 7-0 with 11:29 to play in the first quarter.
On defense, UK forced a three-and-out on the first YSU possession, and the Penguins punted the ball back to the Cats, who took over at their own 40 with 10:00 still to play in the first quarter.
The ensuing drive saw Baxter rush for 10 yards, followed by a 20-yard connection between Minchey and Rodriguez. Minchey found Rodriguez for 14 more yards, then Baxter rushed seven yards to get the Cats to the YSU five yard line. On the next play, Baxter scored on a five-yard run and Zouagui added the PAT to give UK a 14-0 lead with 6:25 remaining in the first period.
Youngstown State put together a solid drive on its next possession, getting into UK territory. However, the Penguins went for it on fourth down but the pass attempt was incomplete and the Cats took possession as the quarter neared an end. UK led 14-0 after one quarter.
As the second quarter started, the Cats crossed midfield. Minchey found Patterson for a 16-yard gain. Later in the drive, Minchey hit tight end Skinner in the flat, and Skinner did the rest, scoring a 10-yard touchdown. Zouagui made the extra point and the Cats led 21-0 with 11:30 left in the first half.
YSU would drive into Kentucky territory again on its next possession. However, the drive stalled and the Penguins punted the ball back to the Cats, who would take over at their own 20 with 5:03 to play in the half.
Kentucky was unable to do anything with its ensuing possession. The Cats punted, but YSU muffed the point and Ty Bryant recovered the football at the Youngstown State 28 yard line. On the next play, Patterson scampered for 22 yards. Four plays later, on fourth-and-goal, Minchey found Rodriguez for a two-yard touchdown. Zouagui made another PAT and Kentucky led 28-0 with 1:51 left in the half.
Youngstown State would get on the board late in the half when quarterback Beau Brungard found wide receiver Lynn Wyche-El for a six-yard touchdown. Andrew Lastovka made the point after and UK’s lead was cut to 28-7 with 20 seconds left in the half. That would be the halftime score.
The Penguins got the ball to start the second half. YSU made one first down, but a holding penalty slowed their drive and they eventually punted and Kentucky took over at its own 25 with 11:44 to play in the third quarter.
Kentucky would make the most of its initial possession of the third quarter. UK drove 75 yards in nine plays, ending with a touchdown pass from Minchey to Jean covering 26 yards. It was the first career reception for Jean. Zouagui added the point after and Kentucky led 35-7 with 8:19 to play in the third quarter.
Youngstown State answered with a touchdown drive of its own. The Penguins marched 75 yards in nine plays, ending with a nine-yard score from Jaden Gilbert. The PAT was no good and Kentucky led 35-13 with 3:41 left in the third period.
On the first play of Kentucky’s next drive, Minchey found tight end Henry Boyer for a 31-yard completion and the Cats went into YSU territory. However, a personal foul penalty foiled the drive and UK was forced to punt. Thomas O’Hara pinned Youngstown State at its own three yard line with 1:26 left in the third quarter.
Early in the fourth quarter, YSU punted and Kentucky took over at its own 40 with 14:01 to play. The Cats quickly converted on the opportunity, going 60 yards in just three plays, ending with a 37-yard touchdown pass from Minchey to Darby, the freshman’s first career touchdown. Zouagui added the point after and Kentucky led 42-13 with 12:48 remaining.
Youngstown State’s next drive would make its way into UK territory, but the Cats came up with their second fourth-down stop of the game and Kentucky took over at its own 24 with 10:48 to play.
Kentucky added points later in the fourth quarter when Zouagui converted a 28-yard field goal to make it 45-13 with 5:29 remaining.
Kentucky returns to action next Saturday, hosting Alabama at Kroger Field. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET and the game can be seen on ABC.
