The University of Mississippi Athletics
Football at Kentucky: First Look
9/1/2025 | Football
OXFORD, Miss. – The Ole Miss football team got out to a hot start, posting more yards of total offense than any other team in college football on opening weekend, racking up 695 yards en route to a 63-7 rout of Georgia State.
But the level of competition ratchets up quickly, as Lane Kiffin's Rebels turn straight into Southeastern Conference play on the road against a Kentucky team that won their matchup in Oxford last season. We'll tell you what to expect this time around, including where to watch the game.
How to Watch: Ole Miss at Kentucky
Date: Saturday, September 6
Time: 2:30 p.m. CT
Location: Kroger Field
What to Wear: Red
TV: ABC
Live Stream: ESPN App
Radio: Ole Miss Radio Network
Live Audio: OleMissSports.com/watch
2024 Kentucky Wildcats Rewind
Kentucky finished 4-8 in 2024 with wins over Southern Miss, Ohio, Ole Miss and Murray State. The Wildcats' signature and only SEC win came in Oxford, a 20-17 victory. Kentucky failed to qualify for a bowl game for the first time in eight years. The Wildcats hosted Toledo to open 2025 and held the Rockets at arm's length in a 24-16 victory. Toledo totaled 270 yards passing but just 59 yards rushing in the contest, outgainging Kentucky 329-306 overall.
Three Players to Watch: Ole Miss
But the level of competition ratchets up quickly, as Lane Kiffin's Rebels turn straight into Southeastern Conference play on the road against a Kentucky team that won their matchup in Oxford last season. We'll tell you what to expect this time around, including where to watch the game.
How to Watch: Ole Miss at Kentucky
Date: Saturday, September 6
Time: 2:30 p.m. CT
Location: Kroger Field
What to Wear: Red
TV: ABC
Live Stream: ESPN App
Radio: Ole Miss Radio Network
Live Audio: OleMissSports.com/watch
2024 Kentucky Wildcats Rewind
Kentucky finished 4-8 in 2024 with wins over Southern Miss, Ohio, Ole Miss and Murray State. The Wildcats' signature and only SEC win came in Oxford, a 20-17 victory. Kentucky failed to qualify for a bowl game for the first time in eight years. The Wildcats hosted Toledo to open 2025 and held the Rockets at arm's length in a 24-16 victory. Toledo totaled 270 yards passing but just 59 yards rushing in the contest, outgainging Kentucky 329-306 overall.
Three Players to Watch: Ole Miss
- Austin Simmons – Austin Simmons looked strong in his first career start, aside from one errant throw. Will he keep it going in his SEC starting debut?
- TJ Dottery – TJ Dottery had 10 tackles and three QB hurries in last year's meeting with Kentucky and led Ole Miss with nine in the season-opener. He'll be key in stopping a strong UK run game.
- Harrison Wallace III – Tre Harris amassed 176 yards and one touchdown on 11 receptions last year against Kentucky. Will Kiffin and Charlie Weis Jr. draw up a similar gameplan with Wallace?
- Dante Dowdell – Dante Dowdell ran 14 times for 129 yards and a touchdown to lead the Kentucky offense in the season-opener. How will the Picayune native perform against his home-state team?
- Alex Afari Jr. – Alex Afari Jr. had a monster opener for Kentucky, more than doubling anyone else's tackle total at 13, including two TFLs and a sack. Can he disrupt the tempo of the Ole Miss offense?
- Zach Calzada – Zach Calzada had a forgettable UK debut, going 10-for-23 through the air for 85 yards and an interception. He was 24-for-42 for 237 yards and two picks against Ole Miss in 2021 while at Texas A&M. Can he get it going in Week 2?
Players Mentioned
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