Kentucky has a Texas-sized opportunity to turn the season around tonight. KSR’s LIVE BLOG will bring you all the sights and sounds from Kroger Field as the Cats host the No. 21 Texas Longhorns (7:00 p.m. ET, ESPN).
Kentucky is coming off its second bye week, a spot that hasn’t been kind to the Cats in the Mark Stoops era. They were able to score two touchdowns against Georgia two weeks ago. The challenge gets even tougher tonight vs. a Texas defense that ranks No. 3 in the country. On the other side of the ball, Arch Manning will be looking to build on a promising performance vs. Oklahoma last week. Can Kentucky’s defense take advantage of the Longhorns’ offensive line, which is down two starters, to put pressure on the young QB? How will Kentucky’s own young QB, Cutter Boley, perform against an elite defense?
Refresh the feed below for updates and KSR’s takes on the game from Kroger Field. You can also join the conversation on the KSBoard Game Thread or by texting your observations to 859-710-3556 (standard messaging rates apply).
Special thanks to our live blog sponsor this season, Friends of Coal.
Friends of Coal is dedicated to informing and educating Kentucky citizens about the coal industry and its vital role in the state’s future. We provide a united voice for an industry that has been and remains a critical economic contributor to Kentucky. By working together, we can provide good jobs and benefits for future generations. Coal is RESILIENT, RELIABLE, and AFFORDABLE.
Friends of Coal is a volunteer organization. All are invited to be a part of our organization, which consists of proud Kentuckians as well as residents from beyond our borders. Head to friendsofcoalkentucky.org to learn more.
Ochocinco Made it to the Student Section
10/18/2025 07:06:42 PM
More Former Cats Back in Lexington
10/18/2025 07:06:29 PM
The Kentucky women’s basketball and volleyball teams were the first introduced at Kroger Field. In this timeout, it was all former Cats: Wesley Woodyard, Randall Cobb, Deone Walker, Ray Davis, Maxwell Hairston, and Keenan Burton got an ovation from the crowd. Also spotted Dicky Lyons Jr. heading to a suite before the game, but he didn’t make his way down to the field in the second quarter.
Impressive Stop
10/18/2025 07:01:25 PM
Kentucky let Texas get its second third down conversion with 12+ yards to go. The Horns got inside the 40, but the defense once again held strong. On third and 8, Texas tried a QB draw to get it close enough to kick a field goal. The Kentucky blitz gobbled it up, forcing another Texas punt.
The punt was a beauty, downed at the Kentucky 9-yard line where the Cats will get the ball in a 0-0 ballgame.
Another Punt
10/18/2025 06:53:56 PM
Kendrick Law made an outstanding catch on the sideline to get the Cats into Texas territory. Unfortunately, they couldn’t do anything with it. On third and five, the Cats went empty. Boley looked to the boundary where five Texas defenders were guarding two. In the blink of an eye, Colin Simmons had Boley on the ground.
Scoreless Tie After One Quarter
10/18/2025 06:50:01 PM
Kentucky has a manageable third down near midfield to open the second quarter.
Mark Stoops is Mad About Something
10/18/2025 06:48:39 PM
What exactly? Your guess is as good as mine.
Kentucky Avoids Catastrophe
10/18/2025 06:41:37 PM
Tavion Gadson and Kam Olds put a hurting on Manning. The sack set Texas WAY behind the chains, but the Horns still converted on third and long. Like the possession before, Kentucky dug deep and didn’t give up another first down. However, the Cats did nearly give the ball to Texas inside the red zone when Ty Bryant muffed the punt. Fortunately, he fell on it right away, evading an epic disaster.
That Was Weird
10/18/2025 06:33:04 PM
Kentucky went 3-and-out. The three plays:
9-yard run by Dowdell
Fade to Gilmore incomplete
Fade to Gilmore incomplete
The second attempt felt like the right idea. It was a pretty pass, and Gilmore made a great play on the ball, but the cornerback ripped it away as they approached the turf. The third-down decision? Woof.
Celebrity Sightings!
10/18/2025 06:29:23 PM
Quick Stop for the Cats!
10/18/2025 06:26:28 PM
It didn’t feel like things were going to go well for the Cats. On the first third and long of the day, Kentucky brought a blitz and manned up. Texas picked it up, giving Manning an open running lane to get nearly 20 yards on the ground.
The defense didn’t let the drive get sideways. On third and 3, Sark dialed up a double-reverse flea-flicker. Kentucky didn’t take the bait, and nearly picked off the pass. Cats start the next drive on their own 32.
From Humble Beginnings to ESPN Stardom
10/18/2025 06:21:39 PM
Wow. What an incredible moment for Matt Jones. Cheers to KSR’s Fearless Leader!
Zero Points in the Red Zone
10/18/2025 06:18:30 PM
A great drive ended in zero points. Seen that before?
Cutter Boley had a couple of nice third-down completions to Hardley Gilmore and Seth McGowan to get the Cats rocking and rolling. His long scramble appeared to be enough for a first down inside the red zone. The issue is that he slid. Slides always take away a yard or two. If he dove forward, the sticks were moving.
Instead, the slide made it 3rd and 2. Kentucky decided to try a QB sneak into the teeth of the Texas defense. It got a yard. Dante Dowdell did not get one more on the next play, giving the Horns the ball at the 16.
Kentucky vs. Texas will start on ESPN
10/18/2025 06:05:55 PM
Good news! Even though Texas A&M vs. Arkansas started late on ESPN, they’re getting booted to ESPN News so Kentucky vs. Texas can take the ESPN spotlight. Here we go…
DJ Waller Jr. was injured in warmups
10/18/2025 06:01:22 PM
Kentucky spokesperson confirms that the the starting cornerback was injured in warmups and will miss tonight’s game. It’s the 10th game over the last two years that Waller was unavailable.
DJ Waller Jr. will miss another game
10/18/2025 05:48:28 PM
Kentucky was supposed to get starting cornerback DJ Waller Jr. back in the lineup for the first time since Week 1. Well, it looks like that won’t happen. Despite not being listed on the availability report and showing on up on the big screen at Kroger Field when the starting lineups were announced, Waller was not dressed out during warmups.
Well, DJ Waller is not dressed out, even though he was not on the SEC availability report all week.
— Jon Hale (@JonHale_HL) October 18, 2025
Lots of burnt orange at Kroger Field
10/18/2025 05:15:45 PM
We knew Texas would bring a lot of fans to its first-ever game in Lexington, but there is reportedly a TON of burnt orange at the game and around town. The fact that Keeneland is running sweetened the pot, I’m sure. Nick Roush says this is the most people he’s seen around the stadium for a game this year; unfortunately, a huge chunk of them are wearing the opposing team’s color.
Kickoff will now be 7:10 PM ET
10/18/2025 04:58:25 PM
After pushing kickoff back to 7:15 PM ET due to the late start of Arkansas vs. Texas A&M, it’s been moved up five minutes to 7:10 PM ET. I hope you didn’t have big plans for those extra five minutes.
Change in Kickoff Time!
10/18/2025 04:40:49 PM
Thunderstorms in Fayetteville forced Arkansas to delay kickoff against Texas A&M until 5:30 ET. That means kickoff will be pushed back in Lexington. Texas and Kentucky will kick off at 7:15 PM ET on ESPN.
Here’s a question I don’t know the answer to. The Arkansas-A&M game will NOT be over in less than two hours. Will they move that game to another network, or will Kentucky-Texas start on a different ESPN channel? We’ll let you know as soon as we know the answer to that question.
Final Availability Report
10/18/2025 04:35:21 PM
Texas is waiting to see if defensive tackle Maraard Watson can give it a go at game time. The run-stuffer has started in every game this season for the Horns.
How to Watch/Listen
10/18/2025 04:06:24 PM
We’re officially two hours from kickoff. As you make your evening plans, here’s how to watch or listen to the game:
- Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. ET
- TV: ESPN (Dave Flemming, Brock Osweiler, Stormy Buonantony)
- Local Radio: UK Sports Network (Tom Leach, Jeff Piecoro, Dick Gabriel)
- AM: 840 WHAS, 630 WLAP
- FM: 98.1 WBUL
- Online: iHeart Radio
- Sirius XM: 162 or 192 (UK)
