Cats to open all-SEC slate against Ole Miss

Keith Taylor, Kentucky Today

LEXINGTON (KT) — The Southeastern Conference unveiled its football schedule Monday night and Kentucky’s home opener is set for Oct. 3 against Mississippi.

The first encounter at Kroger Field this season comes after the Wildcats open the season on Sept. 26 at Auburn in the first of 10 league encounters this season.

Following the home opener against Ole Miss, Kentucky then plays host to Mississippi State and first-year Bulldogs coach Mike Leach, a former assistant coach under Hal Mumme on Oct. 10.

After opening the season with three straight opponents from the SEC West, Kentucky will travel to Tennessee to face the Volunteers on Oct. 17 in Knoxville. Kentucky then hosts Georgia a week later on Oct. 24.

The Wildcats close out October with a road game at Missouri on Halloween night, a third straight SEC Eastern division foe.

The month of November opens with a bye for the Wildcats, followed by a home game against Vanderbilt on Nov. 14. Kentucky visits Tuscaloosa to take on Alabama on Nov. 21.

The Wildcats close out the road schedule at Florida on Nov. 28, followed by the home finale against South Carolina on Dec. 5 at Kroger Field.

According to a release by the university, stadium capacity will be greatly reduced due to local and state restrictions related to public health.

Information about stadium capacity, ticketing, parking, tailgating and safety protocols will be released as it becomes available. That information will also be subject to change, due to state and local government and university regulations.

Physical distancing will require Kroger Field to have a greatly reduced capacity

Parking lots are anticipated to open three hours prior to kickoff

Guidelines for tailgating, to the extent it is possible under public health regulations, are being established

Gates are anticipated to open two hours prior to kickoff

UK FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Sept. 26 — at Auburn

Last meeting: Auburn 30, Kentucky 27 (2015)

Oct. 3 — Ole Miss

Last meeting: Ole Miss 37, Kentucky 34 (2017)

Oct. 10 — Miss. St.

Last year: Mississippi State 28, Kentucky 13

Oct. 17 — at Tennessee

Last year: Tennessee 17, Kentucky 13

Oct. 24 — Georgia

Last year: Georgia 21, Kentucky 0

Oct. 31 — at Missouri

Last year: Kentucky 29, Missouri 7

Nov. 7 — bye

Nov. 14 — Vanderbilt

Last year: Kentucky 38, Vanderbilt 14

Nov. 21 — Alabama

Last meeting: Alabama 34, Kentucky 6 (2016)

Nov. 28 — at Florida

Last year: Florida 29, Kentucky 21

Dec. 5 — South Carolina

Last year: South Carolina 24, Kentucky 7