https://wildcatfaithful.net/ Join Wildcat football fans on the road to Gridiron Glory. en Mon, 08 Jun 2026 08:59:07 GMT vBulletin 60 https://wildcatfaithful.net/images/misc/rss.png https://wildcatfaithful.net/ 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 https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/416033-kentucky-football-tailgaters-are-losing-a-parking-garage-in-2026 Wed, 03 Jun 2026 15:50:39 GMT It’s hard to drive near the University of Kentucky campus without encountering some type of construction project. Those projects will cause Kentucky...
Albert B. Chandler Hospital is expanding its footprint. To accommodate approximately 1,400 more beds, the hospital needs its own utility plant. That plant will be located on the corner of University and Cooper Drive, right across from the UK Intramural Fields.

In mid-June, traffic flow will change on University, putting all vehicles on one side of the road. In mid-July, 800 parking spaces are going away. This is where Kentucky football fans need to pay attention.

Kentucky Football Tailgaters are Losing a Parking Garage in 2026 - On3
]]> Kentucky Football Matt Dillon https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/416033-kentucky-football-tailgaters-are-losing-a-parking-garage-in-2026 https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/415993-kentucky-spring-football-feature-coming-to-sec-network Tue, 02 Jun 2026 21:33:27 GMT We are still 95 days away from Football Time in the Bluegrass. That’s the bad news. The good news is that you don’t have to wait that long to get... Will Stein‘s first Kentucky football team.

During spring practice, the UK Sports Video crew was rolling to see what Will Stein is cooking with the Wildcats. After spending some time in the editing room, the finished product is ready for Big Blue Nation.

Kentucky Spring Football All-Access will debut on Wednesday, June 3, at 8 p.m. ET on the SEC Network.

What exactly should you expect to see? This is the first time I can recall the UK Sports Video team producing an entire feature for the SEC Network. If you watched any of their work throughout spring practice, it’s clear that they know what they’re doing. Coaches were regularly mic’d up, illustrating the energy they’re bringing to the table. Nobody brought it quite like Joe Sloan, who asked for “Three claps and a Ric Flair!”?

Kentucky Spring Football Feature Coming to SEC Network - On3]]> Kentucky Football Matt Dillon https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/415993-kentucky-spring-football-feature-coming-to-sec-network https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/415792-orgeron-already-paying-dividends-for-lsu Sat, 30 May 2026 18:36:46 GMT Coach O joined their staff very recently and has already gotten a 5* DT committed to Tx Tech to schedule an official visit to Baton Rouge. In...
While Coach O was a disaster as a HC, if Stoops had snapped him up at UK during his last 2-3 years, I believe 1) our talent level would have been noticeably better and 2) our DL would have been even better coached (Stewart seems like a pretty good DL coach to but I think Coach O is better). Certainly glad Stein is on board and seems to have the program trending upward, but the last few years of Stoops' tenure were painful and retreads like Wolford and his brother on the staff did not move the needle for recruiting. If he'd thrown $2M at Coach O as co-DC and NT/DT position coach, I think Stoops may have righted the ship and survived to go out on his own terms. And, oh yeah, won more football games.

Again, I'm very happy we have Stein. But, suffering through the down years late in Stoops career was very disheartening. Not sure why Stoops didn't actively pursue Coach O, but Kiffin sure put him to good use immediately.]]> Kentucky Football Jaxcat https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/415792-orgeron-already-paying-dividends-for-lsu https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/415790-summer-workouts-to-begin-for-kentucky-football Sat, 30 May 2026 15:21:10 GMT For most kids, the month of June serves as the start of summer break. For the Kentucky football team, it means it’s time to go to work. Monday,...
Monday, June 1, is report day for the Kentucky football team. Will Stein‘s Wildcats got to spend the month of May at home, catching a breather and enjoying family time before hitting the ground running at the Joe Craft Football Training Facility.

Summer Workouts to Begin for Kentucky Football - On3?]]> Kentucky Football Matt Dillon https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/415790-summer-workouts-to-begin-for-kentucky-football https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/415703-countdown-to-kick-off Thu, 28 May 2026 09:31:21 GMT 100 days and counting. 100 days and counting.]]> Kentucky Football Matt Dillon https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/415703-countdown-to-kick-off https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/415702-kickoff-times-revealed-for-first-three-games-of-2026-kentucky-football-season Thu, 28 May 2026 09:28:26 GMT You’ve already marked your calendars ahead of the 2026 Kentucky football season. Now you can add a few more details. For the first time since...
For the first time since 2013, there’s a new head football coach in Lexington. Will Stein is the youngest head coach in the SEC. After his first game against Youngstown State, the Louisville native will be faced with one difficult challenge after another against 10 Power Conference opponents.

Thanks to the TV deal between the SEC and ESPN, we now know when we will be able to see the Wildcats in action this fall. Under the prior broadcasting agreement, SEC fans learned kickoff times less than two weeks in advance. Thanks to ESPN’s exclusive rights, the Worldwide Leader is giving Kentucky fans more time to plan ahead.

On Wednesday, the SEC unveiled kickoff times for the first three weeks of the 2026 season. There are still a little more than 100 days until Kentucky kicks off the 2026 season. Plenty of time to plan your Saturday gamedays.

2026 Kentucky Football Kickoff Times

9/05: Youngstown State | 1:00 | SEC Network+
9/12: Alabama | 3:30 | ABC
9/19: at Texas A&M | 3:30 | ESPN/ESPN2

Kickoff Times Revealed for First Three Games of 2026 Kentucky Football Season - On3
]]> Kentucky Football Matt Dillon https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/415702-kickoff-times-revealed-for-first-three-games-of-2026-kentucky-football-season https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/415701-look-kentucky-football-s-new-weight-room-is-beautiful Thu, 28 May 2026 09:21:18 GMT Will Stein (https://www.on3.com/rivals/coach/will-stein-177513/) has another recruiting tool for his belt. The Kentucky football program has... Will Stein has another recruiting tool for his belt.

The Kentucky football program has officially completed renovations to its upgraded weight room in the Joe Craft Football Training Facility. A video posted to social media on Wednesday takes the Big Blue Nation inside the new weight room and includes a time-lapse video of the entire process. The Kentucky blue-themed weights and machines sure look pretty — and that “BBN” logo on the machines is a nice touch.

The Joe Craft Football Training Facility isn’t old by any means, having opened in July 2016, but a new era of Kentucky football rightfully called for upgrades all around. Giving the weight room a facelift — thanks to Sorinex, which describes itself as “the most sought-after strength brand for professional teams, colleges, high schools and military units” — was a great place to start.

LOOK: Kentucky football's new weight room is beautiful]]> Kentucky Football Matt Dillon https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/415701-look-kentucky-football-s-new-weight-room-is-beautiful https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/415590-early-spread-projections-for-every-2026-kentucky-football-game Tue, 26 May 2026 09:32:25 GMT Big Blue Nation is impatiently waiting for the first game of the Will Stein (https://www.on3.com/rivals/coach/will-stein-177513/) era. We are 103... Will Stein era. We are 103 days away from the Kentucky season opener at Kroger Field against Youngstown State. The contest against the FCS opponent will be one of the few games where the Wildcats are expected to be favorites in 2026.

Stein’s first few months on the job have been filled with good news for the Wildcats. Kentucky signed a top 10 transfer portal class and is seemingly adding a new high school commitment every day. Big Blue Nation is buying into the hype, but it’s not changing the data.

Early Spread Projections for Every 2026 Kentucky Football Game - On3]]> Kentucky Football Matt Dillon https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/415590-early-spread-projections-for-every-2026-kentucky-football-game https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/415555-countdown-to-kick-off-player-name-and-jersey-number-version Sun, 24 May 2026 15:18:32 GMT If my fuzzy math is correct, next Thursday should begin the 100 days until kick-off countdown. For those of you who are new to WCN, for the past... If my fuzzy math is correct, next Thursday should begin the 100 days until kick-off countdown. For those of you who are new to WCN, for the past several years we've posted the names and jersey numbers of UK players (past and/or present) who wore a jersey with the number that corresponds to the number of days left until kick-off. Since there is no record of any UK player ever having worn the number 100 we will begin with 99 days to go by listing players who wore the number 99. If anyone wishes to provide a pic of a player in uniform that would be great. ]]> Kentucky Football Matt Dillon https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/415555-countdown-to-kick-off-player-name-and-jersey-number-version https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/415478-kentucky-s-new-ad-will-have-two-titles-ceo-of-champions-blue-llc-and-athletic-direct Thu, 21 May 2026 15:20:49 GMT It’s been almost three months since news broke that Mitch Barnhart is retiring as Kentucky’s athletic director, effective June 30. Today, we found...
University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto announced this morning that the new leader of UK Athletics will be both the Chief Executive Officer of Champions Blue, LLC and Athletics Director. Champions Blue is the holding company that the department moved to last year to give itself more flexibility and ability to generate revenue. The CEO and Athletics Director will report directly to the UK President and work closely with other university units, such as Student Success, Information and Technology Services, Marketing and Strategic Communication, and Philanthropy, to achieve unit and institutional goals.

“College athletics is always changing, but that change now is occurring more rapidly and with greater financial impacts than ever before,” Capilouto said in a press release. “The leadership role must change and adapt as well. Putting the success of our students first remains a priority. Winning championships remains critically important — but, so too, is the financial and commercial acumen to generate more revenue, manage expenses more tightly and align even more with our institutional mission to advance the state.”

Since Barnhart’s retirement announcement, Capilouto has interviewed over 80 people about the role, including coaches and senior staff at UK, as well as donors, supporters, and leaders in the business of sports across the country. With that listening tour now complete, Capilouto says he is looking at both sitting college athletic directors and people with varied backgrounds in pro sports and business as candidates to have a successor in place by June 30, Barnhart’s last day. One month ago, KSR+’s Justin Rowland reported that Boise State athletic director Jeremiah Dickey was a candidate, the only external name we’ve heard mentioned for the role so far.

Kentucky's new AD will have two titles: CEO of Champions Blue LLC and Athletic Director]]> Kentucky Football Matt Dillon https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/415478-kentucky-s-new-ad-will-have-two-titles-ceo-of-champions-blue-llc-and-athletic-direct https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/415315-kentucky-is-near-the-bottom-of-the-sec-in-athletic-donations Thu, 14 May 2026 21:54:49 GMT College sports are a money-making enterprise. In the revenue-sharing era, deep pockets prevail when it’s time to build a roster. Some schools in the...
Thanks to open records requests from Al.com’s Matt Stahl, we can see which SEC programs get a financial leg-up thanks to boosters. The only omission from the data is Vanderbilt, a private institution that is not subject to open records laws.

In 2025, Kentucky received $32,657,330 in athletic donations. That sounds like a lot, but it ranks second-to-last in the SEC, ahead of only South Carolina at $17.5 million. Furthermore, Kentucky was one of only three schools in the SEC that did not receive contributions specifically earmarked for the football program, joining Arkansas and Mississippi State.

Nine SEC teams received at least $50 million in athletic donations in the 2025 fiscal year. Shockingly, Texas A&M is just over that $50 million threshold, while the Texas Longhorns tripled that. Texas received more than $167 million in athletic donations, with $59.5 million going directly to the football program.

You are reading that correctly. Texas football received more money in donations than the entire UK Athletics Department.

Tennessee ranked second in the SEC with $110 million in athletic donations, and more than $50 million to the football program. Oklahoma, Alabama, and LSU round out the top five in the SEC.

Kentucky is Near the Bottom of the SEC in Athletic Donations - On3]]> Kentucky Football Matt Dillon https://wildcatfaithful.net/forum/kentucky-football/415315-kentucky-is-near-the-bottom-of-the-sec-in-athletic-donations