# Kentucky Wildcats football season start

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/kentucky-wildcats-football-season-start
> Updated: 2026-09-05T20:12:45.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

Kentucky football entered its season opener under new head coach Will Stein, with significant focus on new quarterback Kenny Minchey and the return of defensive player Sam Greene.

In the season opener against Youngstown State, the Wildcats secured a 45-13 victory. Minchey led the offense with 301 passing yards and four touchdowns, while running back CJ Baxter added two rushing touchdowns. The win marked the team’s highest point total in a season opener since 2021. Despite defensive lapses due to the absence of starting cornerbacks Terhyon Nichols and Hassan Sykes, the team moved forward to prepare for a matchup against Alabama.

## Claims

- Kentucky defeated Youngstown State with a score of 45-13. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Running back CJ Baxter scored two touchdowns. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Will Stein is the new head coach for Kentucky. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Quarterback Kenny Minchey completed 18 of 27 passes for 301 yards and 4 touchdowns. (single source)
- The 45 points scored is the highest for a Kentucky season opener since 2021. (single source)
- Freshman receiver Kenny Darby recorded 3 receptions for 74 yards. (single source)
- Starting cornerbacks Terhyon Nichols and Hassan Sykes did not play in the game. (single source)
- Kentucky will play Alabama in their next game. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-05: Kentucky Wildcats defeat Youngstown State 45-13 in season opener

Kentucky football opened the Will Stein era with a 45-13 win over Youngstown State, led by Kenny Minchey's 301 passing yards and two touchdowns from CJ Baxter.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kentucky-wildcats-defeat-youngstown-state-45-13-in-season-opener

### 2026-09-01: Kentucky football prepares for season opener with Minchey and Greene

Kentucky football coach Will Stein expressed confidence in quarterback Kenny Minchey and confirmed the return of defensive player Sam Greene ahead of the season opener against Youngstown State.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kentucky-football-prepares-for-season-opener-with-minchey-and-greene

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Cite as: Kentucky Wildcats football season start. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/kentucky-wildcats-football-season-start