Get to know: Kentucky

The Auburn Tigers and Kentucky Wildcats will each look to get on track as they face off this Saturday at Kroger Field in Lexington, KY.

The Wildcats are 3-4 at this point in the season and have found themselves sitting at 1-4 in the SEC, struggling to pick up conference wins. Kentucky has also lost its last three matchups with Auburn and will have the opportunity to change that narrative against a struggling Tigers team.

Head Coach: Mark Stoops

Stoops has led the Wildcats to a 76-69 record through his 12 years at the program. This also makes Stoops the longest-tenured active head coach in the SEC and the sixth longest-tenured head coach in FBS.

Stoops holds the school record for most wins, postseason wins, SEC wins and wins over ranked opponents. In 2018 Stoops was named the SEC Coach of the Year.

While finding lots of success in Lexington, KY, there have been recent road blocks that bring up questions about the future of the program. The Wildcats are only 2-10 in their last 12 SEC home games and have been blown out by multiple SEC teams this season.

Offense:

The Wildcats offense is led by junior quarterback Brock Vandagriff. Vandagriff transferred from Georgia after sitting in a backup role to Carson Beck. Vandagriff has thrown for 1,116 yards along with six touchdowns and four interceptions.

In the rushing game, the Wildcats rely on Demie Sumo-Karngbaye. The senior running back has rushed for 419 yards this season adding four touchdowns. 

Another weapon in the backfield for Kentucky is Jamarion Wilcox. The freshman has 224 yards this season on only 32 carries, averaging seven yards per carry.

In the receiving game the Wildcats' main threat is junior wideout Dane Key. Key has totaled 500 yards and two touchdowns through seven games. Barion Brown has been the second option for Vandagriff, with 270 yards and three touchdowns. 

However, Brown is most dangerous in the return game. In his three seasons at Kentucky, Brown has returned five kickoffs for touchdowns which makes him the SEC record holder. Not only does Brown have the SEC record, but he is the NCAA active career leader in kickoff return touchdowns.

Ultimately, the offense for Kentucky has been its downfall this season. The Wildcats rank 115th in the country in yards per game, averaging 319.9 a matchup.

Defense:

The Wildcats defense is a veteran group that retained nine starters from the 2023 season. Their defensive unit ranks 12th in the NCAA, only giving up 283.6 yards per game.

Kentucky also ranks in the top 25 in fewest first downs allowed (fourth), rushing defense (22nd) and kickoff return defense (25th).

The linebacker room has been a bright spot for the Wildcats talented defense. With multiple players putting up strong statistical seasons.

Senior linebacker D’Eryk Jackson has been a leader for the Wildcats defense. Jackson has 30 tackles and one sack. In the passing game he has an interception and three pass breakups.

Pairing up with Jackson at linebacker is J.J. Weaver. Weaver has four sacks along with a forced fumble and pass breakup.

Senior linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson transferred from Georgia, following the footsteps of his teammate Vandagriff. Dumas-Johnson has accumulated 32 tackles, 1.5 sacks and an interception.

Junior defensive tackle Deone Walker was named to almost every preseason all-american team and the Outland Trophy Watch List. So far this season, Walker has 25 tackles and 0.5 sacks.

Kentucky’s defense has had some impressive showings this season, holding No. 1 Georgia to 13 points and only 262 yards. The Wildcats also held No. 6 Ole Miss to 17 points in a win in Oxford. 

Kentucky will look to have that same success as they face an Auburn team that hasn’t scored 25 points against an SEC foe so far this season.

Auburn and Kentucky will matchup Saturday, Oct. 26 at 6:45 p.m. CST. The game will be broadcasted on SEC Network.