Check your calendar. It's January 16, 2026. If you came here looking for a live ticker or a fourth-quarter comeback story for the Kentucky Wildcats, you’re going to find a very quiet Kroger Field.
There is no Kentucky football score today.
That’s the reality of a 5-7 season that wrapped up with a thud back in November. While the basketball team is out here hitting buzzer-beaters against LSU and dodging scares from Florida, the football program is currently deep in the "rebuilding and recruiting" phase of the winter. Honestly, it’s a weird vibe in Lexington right now. You’ve got the excitement of the 17-2 start on the hardwood, but the football offices are humming with a different kind of intensity. They aren't worrying about a kickoff today; they're worrying about the 2026 roster.
Where did the 2025 season go?
Basically, the season ended on November 29, 2025, with a brutal 41-0 loss to Louisville. It wasn't just a loss; it was a shutout. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a fan base that’s gotten used to bowl games and "Big Blue Wall" dominance.
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The Wildcats finished 5-7 overall and a disappointing 2-6 in the SEC. Because of that, they missed bowl eligibility for the second straight year. If you're a Cats fan, you know that’s a significant slide from the 10-win seasons under Mark Stoops not too long ago.
The highlight of the year? Kinda has to be that 38-7 dismantling of Florida back on November 8. It snapped a 770-day SEC home winless streak. For one afternoon, the blue-and-white faithful felt like things were back on track. Cutter Boley looked like the future at quarterback, throwing for two scores in the first half. But the momentum didn't stick. Losses to Vanderbilt and that goose egg against Louisville sent the Cats into an early winter.
The 2026 schedule is already out
Even though there’s no Kentucky football score today, the path for next year is literally already written. The SEC released the 2026 schedule in December, and it’s a monster. For the first time, we’re looking at a nine-game conference slate.
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Here is what the start of the 2026 campaign looks like:
- Sept 5: Youngstown State (The Will Stein era begins)
- Sept 12: Alabama (Yeah, at home. Early.)
- Sept 19: at Texas A&M
- Sept 26: South Alabama
New head coach Will Stein—formerly the Oregon offensive coordinator—is taking over for Stoops. That’s the big news keeping folks talking at the local diners. Stein’s debut against Youngstown State is the "score" everyone is actually waiting for.
What’s happening inside the program right now?
If you're looking for news, look at the coaching staff and the transfer portal. Just this week, on January 10, the school tapped Justin Burke as the new tight ends coach. He’s a Lexington native who spent time at UTSA. They also brought in Tony Washington Jr. to coach the edges.
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The roster is a revolving door. Jamarion Wilcox just signed with Marshall yesterday (January 15). He was a bright spot as a redshirt freshman, averaging over six yards a carry, but he’s heading to the Sun Belt. Meanwhile, the portal has been busy. Names like Brock Coffman and Ja’Kayden Ferguson are coming in, while others like Cutter Boley and Dante Dowdell have moved on.
It’s a different kind of scoreboard. One measured in "stars" and "commitments" rather than touchdowns and field goals.
Actionable steps for the offseason
Since you can't watch a game today, here is how you stay in the loop for the 2026 kickoff:
- Track the Portal: Keep an eye on 247Sports or KSR. The roster you see today will look 50% different by spring ball in March.
- Mark the Calendar: September 5, 2026. That’s the first real score you’ll get.
- Watch the Luxury Seats: Kroger Field is currently undergoing renovations to expand luxury seating. If you're a season ticket holder, your view might be changing.
- Follow the New Offense: Will Stein is known for a high-flying, explosive style. This isn't the "run-heavy" Kentucky of the mid-2010s. Research his Oregon schemes to see what’s coming to Lexington.
The silence at Kroger Field today isn't permanent. It's just the sound of a program trying to figure out how to never go 5-7 again.