Kentucky Athletics has officially embarked on a new era with Athletic Director J Batt, and as the football season draws near, it is clear that fans aren’t the only ones looking forward to what lies ahead.

Tuesday morning, on Sept. 2, Batt shared his eagerness for football in the Bluegrass.

“This is my favorite time of year,” Batt wrote. “There is a special energy across Lexington, and after spending my first several weeks getting to know so many members of our community, I am excited to experience the season alongside all of you.”

Alongside his palpable anticipation, Batt mentioned the numerous changes made to the gameday environment both around and inside Kroger Field. 

“Fans will see several new enhancements at Kroger Field this season,” Batt noted. “…our focus is on creating memorable experiences for everyone who joins us.”

Some of the new additions and modifications that fans will notice at football games this fall include lowered concession prices, new gameday host Ohavia Phillips, and unique, game-by-game themes for fans to follow. 

Knowing how important a lively atmosphere is at Kroger Field, Batt wrote directly to members of the Big Blue Nation who will be in attendance at football games this season.

“Our fans are the difference maker for our program,” Batt continued. “When Kroger Field is full, loud and united behind the Wildcats, it creates an environment our team can feel and our opponents cannot ignore.”

Striving to navigate the current landscape of college athletics, Batt aims to work with BBN in order to be amidst the nation’s top athletic programs. 

“As college athletics moves into this new era, we will continue making the investments necessary to support our student-athletes and keep Kentucky competing among the nation’s best,” Batt added. “The challenges and opportunities ahead will require us to stay united as one Big Blue Nation, working together to ensure the Wildcats thrive in this changing landscape.”

Batt will enter Saturday’s season-opener against Youngstown State as not only the new AD, but also as BBN’s biggest advocate. 

The Wildcats kick off their season at Kroger Field on Saturday, Sept. 6, facing the Youngstown State Penguins. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET, with the game set to air on SEC Network+.

After months of anticipation, the wait is over. It’s Week 1 of the Will Stein era, and Kentucky Football will take the field at Kroger Field this Saturday.

To open the season is FCS opponent Youngstown State Penguins, who is ranked No. 9 in the Stats Perform FCS top 25. Led by sixth-year head coach Doug Phillips, the Penguins aim to win the program’s fifth FCS title, with Phillips slowly rebuilding the program after it was put on probation in 2020 for recruiting violations.

While Youngstown State will be Kentucky’s first matchup of the season, the Penguins opened their season last week against a lesser FCS opponent, Mercyhurst. The Penguins completely dominated the game, winning 43-10 and recording 484 yards on offense.

While they are an FCS program and are big underdogs, Youngstown State should provide a good first test for Will Stein and the Wildcats, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

Let’s take a look at the matchup.

First look at the Will Stein offense

Will Stein is regarded as one of the best offensive minds in college football, which excites Kentucky fans after more than a decade of a conservative, defense-first style under the previous staff.

That style brought a lot of success to the program compared to its history, including two 10-win seasons, but it was also a source of frustration when things weren’t going well, as was the case in recent seasons. Too often, when Kentucky fell down by multiple scores, the game had all but ended.

Stein’s phrase “feed the studs” is apparent when you look at the roster, bringing in many players from top power five programs. Starting at quarterback is Kenny Minchey, who was reportedly very close to winning the starting job at Notre Dame last season. Other notable skill position players are running back CJ Baxter from Texas and wide receiver Nic Anderson from LSU. He also overhauled the offensive line, looking to bring back the ‘Big Blue Wall.’

That said, many of these players will need to take jumps and/or stay healthy for Kentucky to reach their ceiling this season. It all starts with week one.

Stop the run

Kentucky’s defensive line enters the 2026 season looking to play a faster, more aggressive style under new defensive coordinator Jay Bateman.

Youngstown State is an FCS team, but has one of the best offenses in the FCS, specifically with their running game. The head of the attack for the Penguins is Beau Brungard, a senior dual-threat quarterback coming off a 2025 Walter Payton Award win, presented to the most outstanding offensive player in the FCS. Last season, he rushed for more than 1,400 yards while passing for more than 3,200 yards.

For Kentucky, they want to make it a point this season to have more success getting to the quarterback. Brungard is a shifty and talented quarterback who can test that.

Make a statement

You never get a second chance to make a first impression.

Game one in the first season for a new coach, Will Stein is going to want and needs to make a statement to Big Blue Nation. For one, to create some momentum going into a brutal SEC schedule that starts early with Alabama in week two. Additionally, Kentucky has benefited this offseason from national media talking positively about Stein and the program, and they need to perform to back it up.

Kentucky is a heavy favorite and should not be in jeopardy of losing this game, but they need to come out and execute. If the new-look Wildcats can put up 40+ points and cover the spread, it will make for a good start of the Stein era.

Key Players

QB Beau Brungard, 6-10, 215 lbs

• 2025 Walter Payton Award winner
• Accounted for five TDs and 351 yards of offense in the season opener

RB Jaden Gilbert, 5-10, 180 lbs

• 89 yards on 5 carries in the season opener (17.8 YPC)
• 670 rushing yards on 96 carries in 2025

Here is how you can watch and follow Game 1 of the Will Stein era for Kentucky Football.

Kentucky Wildcats vs. Youngstown State Penguins

• Game Time: 1:00 PM EST on September 5, 2026
• Location: Kroger Field in Lexington, KY
• TV Channel: SEC Network+ will have the coverage for this game. This is a streaming-only game.
• Announcers: Kevin Fitzgerald and Charlie Strong
• Online Stream: ESPN+ and the ESPN app.
• Radio: Tom Leach and Jeff Piecoro have the UK radio call on the UK Sports Network.
• Satellite Radio: XM Channel 203, Sirius Channel 98, Internet Channel 966
• Replay: ESPN+ and SEC Network (check local listings).
• Rosters: UK | YSU
• Weather.com Forecast: Partly cloudy and in the high 80s
• Odds: FanDuel Sportsbook has Kentucky listed as 23.5-point favorites, with a point total of 62.5; ESPN gives the Wildcats a 93.6% chance of victory.
• Predictions: Given this is an FCS matchup, it is difficult to find protections, but DRatings.com picks the Wildcats to win 35-18. While I believe Will Stein will hold some things back in his first game, he wants to make a statement. I am taking the Cats to win and to cover in a 41-17 victory, Kentucky!

Send us your score predictions down in the comments section!

Kentucky defensive lineman Tavion Gadson is expected to bring plenty of heat to the Wildcats’ defense this fall. What some may not know is that he also knows how to turn up the heat in the kitchen.

Speaking with the media following Kentucky’s practice on Wednesday, Sept. 2, Gadson shared how cooking has become more than just a hobby for him.

He credited his mother with introducing him to the kitchen, and although cooking didn’t initially interest him, his entrepreneurial mindset eventually encouraged him to strengthen his skills.

“I’ve always been a making-money type of dude,” Gadson said. “I like to hustle.”

While in high school, the Savannah, Georgia native began preparing his own meals and baking desserts, including cookies, cupcakes and cakes. Before long, he was selling those sweets to his classmates.

Gadson said one of his favorite things to make is Alfredo and recalled making boudin balls with his fiancée to sell to the team. When it comes to seasoning, he prefers cayenne pepper, sometimes accompanied by a pepper or two.

“I like pretty much everything spicy, it’s a must,” Gadson says.

He also draws inspiration from his mother and recipes his fiancée discovers on TikTok.

His family influence extends beyond the kitchen however, because this season, Gadson will play alongside his younger brother, outside linebacker Lorenzo Cowan.

Whether he is disrupting an opposing offense, playing alongside his brother, or preparing an order for a teammate, his pursuits remain rooted in family and ambition.

The 6-foot-5, 303-lb lineman enters the 2026 season after recording 28 tackles and 2.5 sacks last year. He was also included on the Senior Bowl Top 300 list and earned multiple preseason honors, according to UK Athletics.

Football may be his primary focus, but the kitchen gives Gadson another outlet for his creativity and entrepreneurial drive.