LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky football officially enters the Will Stein era on Saturday, with the new head coach making his debut against Youngstown State at Kroger Field in a matchup that marks a historic moment for the program. The game kicks off at 1 p.m. ET on SEC Network Plus, with the Wildcats operating as 23.5-point favorites.

Stein, a Louisville native and former Trinity High and University of Louisville quarterback, replaces Mark Stoops after the longtime coach was relieved of his duties following the 2025 season when the Wildcats finished bowl-ineligible for the second consecutive year. Stoops departs as the program's winningest head coach with an 82-80 record. Stein previously served as Oregon's offensive coordinator and becomes the youngest head coach in the SEC.

Youngstown State arrives in Lexington with momentum after defeating Mercyhurst 43-10 on August 27, producing 484 total yards and scoring on its first five possessions. The Penguins, led by seventh-year head coach Doug Phillips, are predicted to finish third in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. The matchup marks only the second meeting in program history between the schools, with Kentucky earning a 31-0 victory at Kroger Field on September 17, 2022.

Kentucky is 22-0 all-time against Football Championship Subdivision teams since 1998, when FBS opponents were first permitted to schedule FCS/I-AA teams. The Wildcats have outscored Missouri Valley Conference foes 271-22 in their historical matchups.

Saturday's contest launches what figures to be a challenging SEC schedule for Stein and his staff, with Alabama visiting Kroger Field the following week.