LEXINGTON, Ky. — Will Stein's first game as Kentucky football head coach was everything the program hoped for and then some. The Wildcats dominated Youngstown State on September 5, winning 45-13 in front of a crowd of 60,166 at Kroger Field, showcasing a balanced offensive attack and special teams dominance that left little doubt about the direction of the new era.

The Wildcats generated 506 total yards of offense with six touchdowns, controlling the game from the opening moments. Quarterback Kenny Payne, making his first college start, completed 18 of 27 passes for 304 yards and four touchdowns, managing the offense efficiently despite moments when he forced the issue downfield. "I thought the majority of the game he managed extremely well," Stein said during postgame comments.

Kentucky's offense generated 301 passing yards and 205 rushing yards, establishing the versatility Stein promised. The running back group saw contributions from multiple players, with Stein limiting veteran CJ Baxter to nine carries as part of a plan to ease him back. Jason Patterson and Martel showed promise, while two true freshman wide receivers — Kenny Darby and Prince Jean — sparked the crowd with touchdown receptions. "They are really good," Stein said of his young receivers. "Very talented."

Defensively, Kentucky limited Youngstown State to just 59 rushing yards on 28 attempts, controlling the line of scrimmage effectively despite the challenge posed by Penguins quarterback Beau Brungard, a 2025 Walter Payton Award winner. Special teams contributed a turnover on a punt, a catalyst that Stein credited with opening the game wide.

The victory was emotional for Stein, who was joined on the sideline by his family. "It's something that I will cherish forever," he said, though he quickly pivoted to focusing on areas for improvement. He emphasized that his team left plays on the field, particularly in effort and pace management, issues he vowed to address before facing Alabama next week. "We've got to go back and watch the tape and really figure out how was our ball security? How was our effort down the field?"

Several Kentucky starters dressed but did not play, including Hassan, who Stein expects to return next week, and defensive back Malachi, who sustained a bruising to his calf in practice. Offensive lineman Alex Afari, who had faced recent off-field challenges, continued his ramp-up period but did not see action. The team also honored the late Nic Smith with a helmet sticker, a tribute Stein acknowledged carried special meaning for the program.