The Stein era has officially begun! Today we got the first look at the 2026-27 Kentucky Wildcats football team inside Kroger Field.

This one was played and scored a little differently than others. Before we get into what we saw from the ‘Cats, here is the layout of the Spring Game.

Kentucky’s scoring system was different than a normal collegiate game, but it made it fun and unique to keep up with.

Recap

The first half had action right away. Kenny Minchey Jr. opened things up connecting with Willie Rodriguez and showed his athleticism with a couple scrambles, but the drive stalled and white took an early 3-0 lead.

Brennen Ward answered on the next drive with an end around pass to Mikkel Skinner that gave a glimpse of a flashy, unpredictable Will Stein-style offense. The Blue Team then punched it in with Martels Carter Jr., the RS sophomore DB turned RB this spring, to go up 7-3.

Minchey led a steady third drive highlighted by a one-handed grab from freshman Prince Jean, but it ended in a field goal for the White Team to cut it to 7-6.

JacQuai Long’s drive didn’t produce much as the White Team came up with a big 4th-and-15 stop to take a 9-7 lead.

Minchey came back out and really settled in, getting great protection and converting multiple 4th downs, including a big play to Willie Rodriguez before finishing the drive himself with a toe-tap TD run. The Blue Team couldn’t convert the 4-point try, giving White a 13-12 edge and after a short Ward drive, White extended it to 15-13.

With just over a minute left, Minchey led a strong two-minute push with Martels Carter Jr. breaking off a big gain and Willie continuing to make plays to get into range. Jacob Kawe drilled a 43-yarder to give the Blue Team a 16-15 lead at the half.

Overall, a solid half on both sides of the ball. Minchey showed his accuracy and athleticism, including his connection with Willie looks like it could be something special. It was also a breath of fresh air to see them execute in that two-minute situation before half, something that’s been a struggle over the past couple years.

Halftime

The second half started off slow with Brennen Ward going three-and-out after a couple incompletions and a sack, setting up 4th and long and keeping the White Team in front 18-16.

The Blue Team responded right away with a big, shifty run from Delvecchio “Duece” Alston to build some momentum. JacQuai Long took over the drive and showed off his athleticism with a 20+ yard run into enemy territory, and they mixed in a nice late checkdown to James Dalrymple to get into the “blue zone.” They capped it off in creative fashion with a WR-to-WR jet sweep pass from Shane Carr to Kenny Darby, another example of Stein getting tricky with it.

Carson Cruver made his debut on the next drive, and Dalrymple kept rolling with another big run early. A quick checkdown to Saxton Howard followed before weather cut things short giving the Blue Team a 23-18 win.

Final

Overall, a great showing from Big Blue Nation, rain or shine, with around 10,000 (not an official number) in attendance. It was a fun start to the Will Stein era and September 5th vs. Youngstown State can’t come soon enough.

We’re counting down the days.

Below are some post game comments by head coach Will Stein, quarterback Kenny Minchey, and senior star defensive back, Ty Bryant.

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