LSU Faces Kentucky in SEC Matchup at Kroger Field

No. 10 LSU faced Kentucky in an SEC football matchup Saturday night at Kroger Field in Lexington, with the Tigers seeking a conference win and the Wildcats attempting to deliver a major home victory. Sports.yahoo.com reported the game was scheduled for 7:00 PM ET on ESPN.

LSU entered the matchup with a 4-1 record after defeating McNeese 63-14, according to sports.yahoo.com. Sam Leavitt completed 18 of 23 passes for 176 yards with three touchdowns and one interception, while Harlem Berry rushed for 125 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.

Corey Barber Jr. added seven receptions for 83 yards and two touchdowns in LSU's win. The Tigers ranked second nationally in total defense at 220.6 yards per game and third in total offense at 547.8 yards per game, according to kentucky.com.

Kentucky also arrived at 4-1 after beating South Carolina 35-34 in overtime. Kenny Minchey threw for 272 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions, while Kenny Darby recorded 96 receiving yards and a touchdown, according to sports.yahoo.com.

Kentucky wide receiver Nic Anderson discussed facing former LSU teammates and coaches as the Wildcats prepared for the matchup.

"Just another game," said Nic Anderson, wide receiver.

Anderson previously played at LSU, while several players and coaches from both programs had connections to the opposing team. Kentucky also entered the game with defensive depth concerns because of injuries.

Kentucky head coach Will Stein praised offensive coordinator Joe Sloan, who previously worked at LSU, while preparing for the Tigers.

"Joe’s a pro," said Will Stein, head coach. "I’m so glad Joe’s on our team. He adds so much to our coaching staff and to our offense, and really the connection throughout the entire team.

He’s an elite person. He’s an elite coach. He’s an elite recruiter.

I’m really, really happy he’s with us."

Stein also addressed Minchey's improvement as a runner after the quarterback gained four first downs on the ground against South Carolina. Kentucky entered the game converting 25.6% of third downs, according to kentucky.com.

"That was huge," said Will Stein, head coach. "We’ve been preaching that for weeks with him. It’s one of those things like you preach it, you drill it, it didn’t show up against Alabama.

You preach it, you drill it, didn’t show up in A&M really and in South Alabama. And then finally it was like, dude, that’s how you got to play. You have to vertically push in the pocket and climb up because that’s where you gain the most yards.

It’s like you go north and south, you get more yards. East and west, you’re not fast enough to outrun these guys. You’re just not.

But he is kind of slippery and weirdly quick in spots. I mean, I think we all can see that. He’s not like LaNorris Sellers back there or Keelon Russell, but he is – I use the word greasy.

He’s just kind of like slithery out there. He made great plays. That was a big difference in us winning on Saturday."

Kentucky's linebacker depth was limited before the game, with Antwan Smith and Tavion Wallace unavailable because of injuries, according to kentucky.com. The Wildcats also listed several other defensive players as unavailable.

Stein described the defensive situation before facing LSU's offense, which had produced strong numbers through five games.

"Yeah, it’s scary," said Will Stein, head coach. "We’re practicing other people, guys that are down the line, because there’s really nobody left. We got to find a way."

Kentucky had a three-game winning streak entering the matchup, including a road victory over then-No. 9 Texas A&M, according to kentucky.com. LSU's only loss before the game came against Ole Miss.

Stein's final message before the matchup reflected Kentucky's preparation approach as the Wildcats sought another statement performance.

"Be ready, stay ready, so you ain’t gotta get ready. That’s it." said Will Stein, head coach.