After back-to-back SEC wins, Kentucky football steps out of conference play this week to host FCS Tennessee Tech on senior day.
The test for the Wildcats this week is maintaining the energy level on display in wins over Florida and Auburn against what is perceived as a lesser foe. The fact that Tennessee Tech enters the game on a 15-game winning streak can help get UK players’ attention but also speaks to the risk of catastrophe if Kentucky experiences an emotional letdown.
Can Kentucky build on the momentum of the past two weeks by moving one win closer to bowl eligibility? Here is what you need to know about the matchup.
A different kind of challenge
Kentucky has never lost to an FCS team (formerly known as I-AA) since they became a fixture on the schedule when it expanded to 12 games in 2002, but Tennessee Tech might be the best opponent UK has faced from that level yet.
The Golden Eagles are 10-0 and ranked sixth nationally at the FSC level. They lead all FCS teams in points per game (45.2).
“It’s a big challenge,” UK defensive coordinator Brad White said. “People need to recognize that they’re (No. 6) for a reason. It’s not just they’re handing out rankings. This is a team that’s walking in here with a lot of confidence. They haven’t lost in over a year, and you’ve got a quarterback that’s a playmaker, makes plays with his legs. … We got to be on our P’s and Q’s this week.”
In the Stoops era, Kentucky has won an FCS game by more than 30 points seven times, but there have been some close calls, too. The Wildcats needed overtime to beat Eastern Kentucky in 2015. The 10-win 2021 UK team beat FCS Chattanooga by just five points.
“It should get our team’s attention,” Stoops said. “Our team has been very motivated with ourselves, in trying to improve, and just trying to get better. If we continue that approach, then we’ll play well, because I fully admit we hadn’t always done that here (against smaller teams).
“We want to, we preach it, we talk about it, we coach it. But it doesn’t always happen. The better football team you become, the better you’ll play each and every week.”
Senior salute
Kentucky will recognize 25 seniors before the final home game of the season Saturday.
In the current era of frequent roster turnover, senior day may not have the same meaning it once did for programs, but there are plenty of examples on the list of players scheduled to be honored for multiple years of impact.
Linebacker Alex Afari, center Jager Burton, cornerback JQ Hardaway, tight Josh Kattus, safety Jordan Lovett and defensive lineman Kahlil Saunders are the scholarship players participating in senior day who have played for Kentucky throughout their college careers. Defensive back Jantzen Dunn, wide receiver Fred Farrier, punter Aidan Laros, wide receiver Ja’Mori Maclin, long snapper Alex McLaughlin and linebacker Daveren Rayner all arrived as transfers but spent multiple years in Lexington.
Then there is the group of graduate transfers added to the roster this season who have filled important roles as Kentucky tries to rally for a bowl game: left guard Joshua Braun, nose guard David Gusta, wide receivers JJ Hester and Kendrick Law, running back Seth McGowan, outside linebacker Kam Olds, left tackle Shiyazh Pete, linebacker Landyn Watson and right tackle Alex Wollschlaeger. Walk-ons Jack Monday and Zach Schreiner will also be honored.
The most interesting reception might be for quarterback Zach Calzada, who opened the season as UK’s starter after transferring from Incarnate Word, but was benched after two games due to struggles and a shoulder injury. Calzada enraged a portion of the fan base last week when a video of him responding to a social media heckler by counting his NIL money went viral. Calzada has apologized for the video.
“Some have been here for a long time, some not so long, but they have all had an impact, and we appreciate them,” Stoops said.
Linebacker Grant Godfrey is among the normal backups expected to see more snaps on defense for Kentucky due to a rash of injuries. Brian Simms bsimms@herald-leader.com
Kentucky football injury report
Lovett and outside linebacker Sam Greene will miss the rest of the season due to injuries suffered in the Florida game. Afari is also unlikely to play on Saturday due to an injury he suffered on the first play against Florida but is expected back at some point in the next three weeks. Do not be surprised if there are other key players held out of action to due to minor injuries, but we’ll have to wait until warmups to learn about any other absences, because Kentucky is not required to release an availability report for nonconference games.
Kentucky vs. Tennessee Tech prediction
This feels like a game that is going to be in doubt into the second half, creating some angst amongst the fans in attendance at Kroger Field. But Kentucky’s improvements make it hard for me to imagine the Wildcats actually losing this game. Expect a big day from Cutter Boley. Kentucky 35, Tennessee Tech 21.
The last word
“Just the film, preparation, playing every play like it’s a game at practice. Just running around, hustling to the ball. I would say the first few weeks we weren’t doing that, but when all that stuff was getting mentioned of maybe Coach Stoops was leaving or getting fired, I feel like it motivated us more to play harder, make that bowl game. We love Coach Stoops, so we want him to stay.” – LB Grant Godfrey on key to defense’s recent play
Jon Hale
Lexington Herald-Leader
Jon Hale is the University of Kentucky football beat writer for the Lexington Herald-Leader. He joined the Herald-Leader in 2022 but has covered UK athletics for more than 10 years. Hale was named the 2021 Kentucky Sportswriter of the Year.
