{"id":50419,"date":"2023-09-08T10:00:18","date_gmt":"2023-09-08T14:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/?p=50419"},"modified":"2023-09-06T21:26:37","modified_gmt":"2023-09-07T01:26:37","slug":"kentucky-hosts-eastern-kentucky","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2023\/09\/08\/kentucky-hosts-eastern-kentucky\/","title":{"rendered":"Kentucky Hosts Eastern Kentucky"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cats Welcome Their Neighbor<\/span><\/h3>\n

For the sixth time in seven years, the Kentucky football team won its opener under\u00a0<\/span>Mark Stoops<\/span><\/strong>. On Saturday they look for a 2-0 start for the eighth time in his 11 years in Lexington. It’s another out-of-conference game but the annual match-up against an FCS school. Their opponent is only 25 miles to the south via Interstate 75. Let’s look at both clubs and give you a series history and a score prediction as Kentucky Hosts Eastern Kentucky.<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking For More Consistency<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

On paper Kentucky’s\u00a0<\/span>30-point win over Ball State\u00a0<\/span><\/a>looked pretty impressive. However, Stoops was not pleased after the game. Of course, no coach is ever totally happy but the Cardinals did hold the ball for nearly 39 minutes and had two more first downs (18-16.) Throw in some better but still shaky at times offensive line play and it’s enough to create nervousness in the BBN.<\/span><\/p>\n

Playing in his first game in nearly a year since his season-ending injury,\u00a0<\/span>Devin Leary<\/span><\/a>\u00a0completed 18 of 31 passes for 241 yards with one touchdown and an interception. Ultimately, he battled consistency all day. Leary completed eight straight in the second half but had four straight incompletions in the first. More positive news\u00a0<\/span>Ray Davis<\/span><\/a>\u00a0ran for 112 yards and two touchdowns while\u00a0<\/span>Dane Key<\/span><\/a>\u00a0led the way with 96 yards on five receptions.\u00a0<\/span>Trevin Wallace<\/span><\/a>\u00a0paced the defense with 12 tackles, two for a loss and a half sack. Speaking of Wallace he earned Defensive Player Of The Week Honors.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\ud83c\udfc8 WK1 | SEC Football Player of the Week<\/p>\n

DEFENSIVE: Trevin Wallace@UKFootball<\/a> x #SECFB<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/0TqmwYSpbf<\/a><\/p>\n

— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) September 4, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n