For yet another time this season, Kentucky linebacker Alex Afari Jr. has been ruled eligible after a new TRO was passed, and will likely suit up for the Wildcats this Saturday against the Oklahoma Sooners.

On Friday in Jefferson County, Judge Brian Edwards granted another temporary injunction against the NCAA, granting Afari and a handful of other players from the class of 2022 seeking a fifth year, immediate eligibility. This was the second time Edwards has issued a temporary restraining order in a Louisville court against the NCAA.

After being eligible for the first four games of the season, Afari was forced to sit out the last two games, where Will Stein and the Wildcats still defeated South Carolina and LSU after his ability to play was taken away.

He led Kentucky in tackles during the last two seasons and hopefully will continue to play thanks to this new injunction. The Big Blue Nation is excited to see him back in uniform at tomorrow’s game and lead the defense in enemy territory.

BBN had plenty to celebrate after the overtime win against No. 10 LSU, but the celebration came with a hefty price tag. After fans stormed the field, the SEC announced that the University of Kentucky would be fined $500,000.

While this number may seem outrageous, it’s not the largest fine that Kentucky has had.

To find a larger fine than this one, you don’t have to go back very far in time. In August of 2024, UK Athletics was hit with financial penalties totaling to approximately $865,000 following an investigation involving the football and swimming programs.

The penalties included a $5,000 fine and an additional payment tied to Kentucky’s 2022 Citrus Bowl payout, making the total more than $365,000 larger than the fine issued after the LSU victory on Saturday, Oct. 10.

The majority of the fine came from the alleged violations involving the Kentucky Football program. According to the NCAA, 11 football players received payments for work they either did not complete or never performed between the spring of 2021 and March of 2022.

As a result, Kentucky was forced to vacate all 10 wins from the 2021 season, including its Citrus Bowl win over Iowa. Along with losing those wins from the record books, the Wildcats agreed to a fine equal to 10% of their related payout, estimated at approximately $865,000.

Kentucky Football wasn’t the only program involved with the NCAA investigation. Swim and Dive also broke NCAA rules under head coach Lars Jorgensen. For nearly three years, swimmers practiced more hours than allowed and weren’t getting the required days off.

Because of these violations, the team faced practice restrictions and UK Athletics was placed on probation for two years.

While the circumstances surrounding the two fines were completely different, both came with a hefty price tag. Still, for the Big Blue Nation, the memorable victory over Lane Kiffin and the Tigers will likely overshadow the cost of the party had in Lexington.

On Monday, Oct. 12, freshman wide receiver Kenny Darby and punt returner Brock Coffman both earned SEC honors after their performances against No. 10 LSU in week six. 

In Kentucky’s upset win, Darby went for 79 yards on four receptions, leading the team. His huge 35-yard gain to kick off the fourth quarter, alongside yet another impressive performance as a first-year player earned him SEC Freshman of the Week for the second time in a row.

Through six games, Darby leads the Wildcats in receptions (29), receiving yards (401) and touchdowns (3), making him one of the best wideouts in the conference as a true freshman.

Coffman, a Louisville transfer, made one of the biggest plays on Saturday, juking and maneuvering his way to a 55-yard punt return touchdown in the first quarter. This was first touchdown in his collegiate career, one he likely won’t forget for some time.

This was Kentucky’s first return touchdown since 2021, leading to Coffman being named the Co-Special Teams Player of the Week.

He has been the main returner for the Wildcats this season, but up until this game, Coffman didn’t show off much of his speed and elected to go for the fair catch often.

Will Stein and the Wildcats will face off next against the Oklahoma Sooners (3-2), hoping to get similar production out of both Darby and Coffman. Brent Venables and his team are coming off of playing in the Red River Rivalry, where they upset the No. 1 Texas Longhorns on a 47-yard game-winning field goal.

Kickoff from Memorial Stadium is set for 7:30 pm. ET and will air live on the SEC Network.