Kentucky football wins first game under coach Will Stein

Kentucky opened the football season with a 45-13 victory over Youngstown State at Kroger Field on September 5, 2026. The game marked the debut of head coach Will Stein and saw the Wildcats build an early 28-7 lead by halftime. Quarterback Kenny Minchey led the offense, completing 18 of 27 passes for 301 yards and four touchdowns. Running back CJ Baxter contributed two rushing touchdowns to the scoring effort. While the Kentucky offense produced consistent results throughout the contest, the team identified the pass defense as an area requiring further improvement. The win provides a foundation for the program as it transitions into the new offensive scheme implemented by Stein.

• 9:04 PMYahoo Sports — Highlights, MVP, and Twitter reactions to Will Stein’s first win with Kentucky Wildcats