https://wildcatfaithful.net/ Join Wildcat football fans on the road to Gridiron Glory. en Sat, 27 Jun 2026 20:08:58 GMT vBulletin 60 https://wildcatfaithful.net/images/misc/rss.png https://wildcatfaithful.net/ https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/416719-kentucky-football-rolls-out-schedule-for-kroger-field-themes-with-black-out-stripe Fri, 26 Jun 2026 09:20:10 GMT Big Blue Nation, you are officially on the clock. Thanks to Will Stein (https://www.on3.com/rivals/coach/will-stein-177513/), you have more than two... Will Stein, you have more than two months to plan your fits to see the Kentucky football in 2026.

If you’ve listened or read Kentucky Sports Radio over the last three years, you’ve heard many complaints about the marketing of the Kentucky football program. One year, the official UK football account didn’t send a Tweet about the spring game. The program has asked fans to wear certain attire for big games, but they typically provided just a few days’ notice.

This year, Kentucky football is stepping into the 21st century. Will Stein isn’t just announcing one black out. The new head coach revealed a theme for every single game of his inaugural football season in Lexington.

Kentucky Football Rolls Out Schedule for Kroger Field Themes with Black Out, Stripe Out, and More - On3]]> Kentucky Football Matt Dillon https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/416719-kentucky-football-rolls-out-schedule-for-kroger-field-themes-with-black-out-stripe https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/416682-kentucky-s-offensive-identity-under-will-stein-in-2026 Wed, 24 Jun 2026 15:29:41 GMT The Kentucky Wildcats (https://ukwildcatswire.usatoday.com/) are bringing in a new era of football in 2026. We have all become accustomed to what a... Kentucky Wildcats are bringing in a new era of football in 2026. We have all become accustomed to what a Kentucky team looks like, as we found the formula for success that Mark Stoops used over his 13 year run with the program. Kentucky has essentially flipped that in the opposite direction with head coach Will Stein. The 36-year-old offensive guru is going to try to win football games on the offense rather than on the defensive side.

Kentucky's offensive identity under Will Stein in 2026

]]> Kentucky Football Matt Dillon https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/416682-kentucky-s-offensive-identity-under-will-stein-in-2026 https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/416652-what-the-ncaa-s-age-based-eligibility-model-aka-5-in-5-means-for-kentucky Tue, 23 Jun 2026 21:27:59 GMT This afternoon, the NCAA Division I Cabinet unanimously voted to approve... unanimously voted to approve its new age-based eligibility model, which will give players a fixed, five-year window to complete up to five seasons of eligibility. The clock will start once a player enrolls full-time in college or at the beginning of the academic year following their 19th birthday, whichever occurs earlier.

The decision won’t be final until the meeting concludes on Wednesday, but it’s all but official. What does it mean for your University of Kentucky Wildcats? Let’s walk through it.

What the NCAA's age-based eligibility model, aka 5-in-5, means for Kentucky - On3]]> Kentucky Football Matt Dillon https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/416652-what-the-ncaa-s-age-based-eligibility-model-aka-5-in-5-means-for-kentucky https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/416580-will-stein-explains-why-he-can-create-a-winner-at-kentucky Fri, 19 Jun 2026 21:44:39 GMT There is a reason why Will Stein (https://www.on3.com/rivals/coach/will-stein-177513/) jumped at the opportunity to be the next head coach at the... Will Stein jumped at the opportunity to be the next head coach at the University of Kentucky.

He orchestrated one of the most explosive offenses in America over three seasons at Oregon, which included a couple of appearances in the College Football Playoff. Stein’s resume also includes a Heisman Trophy finalist. Even though he’s young, that rap-sheet would allow him to hand-pick his first job.

Stein chose Kentucky. Why? It’s not just because he’s from the state and grew up cheering for the Wildcats. Simply put, he believes he can make Kentucky a winner. He’s explained it many times before, but has never articulated as well as he did in the new “Go To Work” documentary with Dan Casey and Seth Howard. The full quote:

“Big Blue Nation is insane. They love the Wildcats, which I love a fanbase who loves their team. We have the facilities, we have the structure, and the process from where I’ve been, and when you apply that here, I think it just creates a winning culture, a winning environment, and a winning edge that you need to be successful,” Stein said.

“I’ve seen Kentucky win some massive games over my lifetime, and I’ve seen them narrowly miss wins. Why are those narrow misses? Is it the process? Is it the players? Is it the coaching? There’s factors involved in wins and losses every single Saturday, but I’ve just been a part of winning my whole life. At Trinity High School, I won three state championships. At Louisville, as a player, we won two conference titles. As a coach, we’ve won three conference championships.

“I’ve had 69 wins over the last six years, so I’m obviously really confident. What I’ve been a part of works. If we can apply that here to Kentucky and get the right people coaching-wise, we can get the right players who are bought into this process that love it; there’s no reason why this place shouldn’t be successful.”

Will Stein Explains Why He Can Create a Winner at Kentucky - On3
]]> Kentucky Football Matt Dillon https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/416580-will-stein-explains-why-he-can-create-a-winner-at-kentucky https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/416554-kentucky-offensive-line-is-rebuilt-and-ready-to-roll Fri, 19 Jun 2026 09:33:51 GMT Will Stein did not have to completely start from scratch while assembling his first Kentucky football roster. There were plenty of quality pieces...
Finding five new starters is not an easy task, particularly at the rates in the transfer portal, but Kentucky attacked it out of necessity. There was no path forward to success without a strong foundation.

Kentucky Offensive Line is Rebuilt and Ready to Roll - On3]]> Kentucky Football Matt Dillon https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/416554-kentucky-offensive-line-is-rebuilt-and-ready-to-roll https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/416417-we-need-your-thoughts Tue, 16 Jun 2026 17:26:46 GMT Hello, we need your thoughts on how we fund WCN/WCF. In the past, we have offered memberships; it is important to note that these memberships provide...
I want to reiterate that no one will ever be forced to pay for access to the forums or a special message board. This is only to keep the lights on. Thanks all!]]> Kentucky Football Sean https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/416417-we-need-your-thoughts https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/416385-matt-jones-goes-1-on-1-with-j-batt-kentucky-s-new-ad Tue, 16 Jun 2026 09:52:54 GMT Kentucky has its new athletic director (and CEO of Champions Blue), J Batt, and one of the first media members to speak to him was our founding...
Matt and Batt met up via Zoom this afternoon. The conversation lasted just under 15 minutes (Batt is a busy man today), but covered several topics, including what fans should know about Batt, why he took the job, his impressions of the University of Kentucky, and why he believes the school could be set up for success in this new era of college sports. Batt has a strong reputation for fundraising, and money was a big topic, with Batt preaching the importance of maximizing revenue streams. As his new title suggests, that’s one of the most important parts of the job.

Matt Jones goes 1-on-1 with J Batt, Kentucky's new AD - On3]]> Kentucky Football Matt Dillon https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/416385-matt-jones-goes-1-on-1-with-j-batt-kentucky-s-new-ad https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/416337-new-athletic-director Sun, 14 Jun 2026 03:08:35 GMT Per ESPN/Pete Tramel UK is targeting Mich St AD Batt for the AD position, ...
https://www.espn.com/college-sports/...tt-sources-say]]> Kentucky Football Los Gatos https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/416337-new-athletic-director https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/416274-the-college-football-world-is-rallying-against-texas-tech-and-brendan-sorsby Thu, 11 Jun 2026 09:22:09 GMT The NCAA can’t enforce its rules. Some schools are taking matters into their own hands. Will it work? You never know what to expect. After all, I... Brendan Sorsby would ever play college football again, yet here we are

Friendly local judges have replaced bag-men is a college football program’s best friend. Texas Tech had an ace in the hole deliver an injunction to allow Brendan Sorsby to suit up for Texas Tech this fall after serving only a two-game suspension for obscene sports gambling behavior. He wagered nearly $100,000 on sports during his time as a college athlete, including wagers on his own team at Indiana.

The College Football World is Rallying Against Texas Tech and Brendan Sorsby
]]> Kentucky Football Matt Dillon https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/416274-the-college-football-world-is-rallying-against-texas-tech-and-brendan-sorsby https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/416272-kickoff-time-windows-announced Thu, 11 Jun 2026 01:38:25 GMT Big stretch of later starts after the first few games. 2026 Kentucky football television windows Game Date Opponent ...
2026 Kentucky football television windows

Game Date	Opponent	Venue	TV/Window
Sept. 5	Youngstown State	Kroger Field	1:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
Sept. 12	Alabama	Kroger Field	3:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Sept. 19	Texas A&M	Kyle Field	3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN/ESPN2)
Sept. 26	South Alabama	Kroger Field	12:45 p.m. ET (SEC Network)
Oct. 3	South Carolina	Williams-Brice Stadium	Flex (3:30 p.m. ET or later)
Oct. 10	LSU	Kroger Field	Night (6-8 p.m. ET start)
Oct. 17	Oklahoma	Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium	Flex (3:30 p.m. ET or later)
Oct. 24	Vanderbilt	Kroger Field	Night (6-8 p.m. ET start)
Nov. 7	Tennessee	Neyland Stadium	Night (6-8 p.m. ET start)
Nov. 14	Florida	Kroger Field	Night (6-8 p.m. ET start)
Nov. 21	Missouri	Faurot Field	Night (6-8 p.m. ET start)
Nov. 28	Louisville	Kroger Field	Early (Noon-1 p.m. ET start)

Window designations explained

• Early: Noon to 1 p.m. ET start
• Afternoon: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. ET start
• Night: 6 to 8 p.m. ET start
• Flex: Games flexed between the Afternoon (3:30-4:30 p.m.) and Night (6-8 p.m.) windows

]]> Kentucky Football largebluej https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/416272-kickoff-time-windows-announced https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/416215-nic-happy-smith-current-uk-defensive-lineman-passes-away Mon, 08 Jun 2026 21:29:30 GMT Nic Smith from D line passes away per KSR. He as a redshirt freshman from Loganville, Georgia. He was listed as Nic Happy Smith on the current... Nic Smith from D line passes away per KSR. He as a redshirt freshman from Loganville, Georgia. He was listed as Nic Happy Smith on the current roster. Per the article he was defined as a easy going happy guy. Sorry for his loss. Prayers to his family. Kentucky Football Pobilly https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/416215-nic-happy-smith-current-uk-defensive-lineman-passes-away https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/416171-kentucky-football-mini-packs-offer-the-best-deal-for-bbn Sun, 07 Jun 2026 19:23:40 GMT College football takes over Saturdays in the fall. The sword cuts both ways. Attending a Kentucky football game is a great way to spend a Saturday,...
Kentucky will host seven games at Kroger Field in 2026. If you’re like any of the 11 Personnel guys — parents in their mid-30s with multiple kids — carving out seven Saturdays and spending the money for season tickets at Kroger Field is a challenge. Thankfully, Kentucky has an alternative.

Kentucky Football Mini-Packs Offer the Best Deal for BBN - On3]]> Kentucky Football Matt Dillon https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/416171-kentucky-football-mini-packs-offer-the-best-deal-for-bbn https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/416121-uk-lowering-concession-costs-for-on-campus-athletic-facilities-not-rupp-arena Fri, 05 Jun 2026 16:45:38 GMT UK Slashes Concession Prices Up to 50% Under New Compass Group Deal LEX 18 — University of Kentucky fans will pay significantly less for food and...
LEX 18 — University of Kentucky fans will pay significantly less for food and drinks at campus venues starting July 1 as part of a new enterprise services partnership.

The University of Kentucky will reduce concession prices by 20% to 40% for core menu items and cut domestic beer prices by 50% when Compass Group takes over food and beverage operations at campus venues July 1.

Under the new pricing structure, fans can purchase a 12-ounce beer for $5. Hot dogs, pretzels, nachos, chicken baskets, and soda and water will all see drops in prices. The changes come as part of UK's broader enterprise services agreement with Compass Group, a global food service and hospitality company.

]]> Kentucky Football Pete Hogwallop https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/416121-uk-lowering-concession-costs-for-on-campus-athletic-facilities-not-rupp-arena https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/416074-two-key-kentucky-transfers-make-espn’s-top-100-newcomers-rankings Thu, 04 Jun 2026 09:22:53 GMT We are 94 days away from the kickoff of Kentucky Football season, the first with Will Stein as coach. After taking the job in early December and... ESPN’s list of the Top 100 Newcomers in College Football — including the Cats’ new signal caller.

Kenny Minchey is No. 67 on the list, No. 13 among quarterbacks. As you’ve surely heard by now, Minchey battled CJ Carr for the starting spot at Notre Dame last season, and almost won. Now, he’s got the keys to Will Stein’s system in Lexington, and ESPN’s Billy Tucker likes the fit.

Two key Kentucky transfers make ESPN’s Top 100 Newcomers Rankings]]> Kentucky Football Matt Dillon https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/416074-two-key-kentucky-transfers-make-espn’s-top-100-newcomers-rankings https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/416035-will-stein-praises-kenny-minchey-s-adaptability-it-feels-like-he-s-been-in-my-syst Wed, 03 Jun 2026 15:59:41 GMT Will Stein (https://www.on3.com/rivals/coach/will-stein-177513/)‘s media tour hasn’t stopped since taking the Kentucky job. And he continues to knock... Will Stein‘s media tour hasn’t stopped since taking the Kentucky job. And he continues to knock his interviews out of the park.

Earlier this week, he made a pitstop on The Jim Rome Show (starts around 1:30:25 mark) for a quick 12-minute sit down to talk some football. Stein had plenty to say, too. He gave out some interesting tidbits like the difficulties of matching up time zones when he was working two jobs at Oregon and Kentucky, other coaching opportunities that have come his way throughout his career, how he saw Teddy Bridgewater turn into Teddy Bridgewater at Louisville, and plenty more.

But one of the biggest takeaways was Stein’s thoughts on his new quarterback, Notre Dame transfer Kenny Minchey, who is about to embark on his first journey as a full-time college starter after years of waiting with the Fighting Irish. Stein says he sees the same characteristics in Minchey that he did in some of the other star quarterbacks he’s been around and coached, such as Bo Nix, Dillon Gabriel, Dante Moore, etc.

But one of the biggest takeaways was Stein’s thoughts on his new quarterback, Notre Dame transfer Kenny Minchey, who is about to embark on his first journey as a full-time college starter after years of waiting with the Fighting Irish. Stein says he sees the same characteristics in Minchey that he did in some of the other star quarterbacks he’s been around and coached, such as Bo Nix, Dillon Gabriel, Dante Moore, etc.

“Really excited about Kenny,” Stein said. “He’s been exceptional from the minute he stepped foot on campus. He’s really dove into the playbook. It feels like he’s been in my system for years. That was really impressive for me when he got here. Just his command, his consistency, and honestly the way he throws the football. He’s super accurate. He’s mobile. He throws on time.”

“He still has room to grow, which is great,” Stein added. “But I think he’s definitely started off on the right foot here with us.”

Will Stein praises Kenny Minchey's adaptability: 'It feels like he's been in my system for years']]> Kentucky Football Matt Dillon https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/416035-will-stein-praises-kenny-minchey-s-adaptability-it-feels-like-he-s-been-in-my-syst