What time will Kentucky football's Week 1 game against Youngstown State begin Saturday? Kickoff time, TV channel, predictions and more for the game.

It is Football Time in the Bluegrass!!! Not only is college football back in action at Kroger Field, but Saturday afternoon will ring in the beginning of a new era as well. Coach Will Stein will be the first new head coach to lead the Kentucky Wildcats out of the tunnel since Coach Mark Stoops took over in 2013.

Youngstown State has a really good QB who can beat teams in multiple ways.

Kentucky opens its 2026 season Saturday when the Wildcats welcome No. 7 Youngstown State to Kroger Field in Lexington, with kickoff set for 1:00 PM ET on SEC Network+. This will be just the second meeting between the programs,

Where to watch the NCAAF match online between Kentucky Wildcats and Youngstown State Penguins, including live streams, TV channels, kick-off time and more.

Kentucky football is set to open its 2026 season. Here are storylines and players to watch in the Wildcats' opener against Youngstown State.

The No. 9 Penguins piled up 484 total yards and dominated defensively in a 43-10 rout, keeping the Lakers from crossing midfield for nearly three full quarters.

Youngstown State has won six of the seven games against Duquesne. But, its the last game that still stings. The Dukes bet the Penguins 28-25 back in September 2024. “Our players know about that and it was Beau’s (Brungard) third start. A lot of fifth year seniors understand that. That was a difficult loss in a tough season.”

The 2026 college football season officially gets underway Thursday night, with Youngstown State hosting Mercyhurst in an FCS matchup at Stambaugh Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET, and fans can watch the game live on the ESPN App.

Personnel is here to share our final thoughts before the Wildcats host the Penguins from Youngstown State. If it feels like we’ve been talking about this moment for nine months, it’s because we have.