Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022 |12GainesvilleprepareWildcatsfor|5BidSororityDay Eduroam: A hotspot of OVERWHELMEDissues|7connection est. 1892 | Independent since 1971kentuckykernel www.kykernel.com@kykernel@kentuckykernel news sportsphotos With over 6,000 freshmen on campus, UK’s campus Wi-Fi eduroam has been experiencing connection and speed is sues during the first few weeks of class. Dining | 8 Parking | 9 As UK welcomes the largest incoming freshman class in university history, several on-campus departments are feeling the strain.
As a newcomer on campus, the maneuvering required to get around has heavily impacted my experience. Underestimating the route changes was my first mistake, resulting in being late for my second day of class. These projects have proven especially difficult for new students like me, who have to balance campus life for the first time while simultaneously avoiding the chaos on a day-today basis. “The construction on campus is overwhelming,” freshman English major Caroline Kirtley said. “There is currently construction going on outside my building, Ball Hall, and there have been multiple instances where I’ll wake up at 3 a.m. to the sound of trucks or jackhammers.
Construction workers inspect a gas leak at a construction site along Rose Street in front of the Chemistry-Physics Building on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in Lexington, Kentucky.
With a gift of $5.25 million from Gray Inc., the transformation has been scheduled for completion by the end of 2023, according to UKNow.Many students have begun to question the benefits of these assemblies.WhileIunderstand the benefits of campus construction and the idea of improved campus spaces, we have to consider the bigger picture. The funds directed towards these projects could be utilized moreproductively. If more funds were administered towards funding school programs, student clubs, oncampus counseling services, etc., there would be a higher assortment of resources for both students and faculty on and off campus. This would allow everyone to receive the benefits from these funds in the present time.In the meantime, as we all begin to get adjusted to this seemingly never-ending construction, we should strive to encourage change and growth around campus and continue to propose ideas that will positively impact student life.
Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022
Within five minutes of stepping onto UK’s campus, you are most likely to be greeted by the sounds of heavy construction equipment and high-frequency power tools. Construction has become a daily occurrence on campus, and with multiple buildings and walkways in production, students and faculty are now having to navigate alternative routes around the university.
Can’t they start at a reasonable time?”It’s not just underclassmen having a hard time maintaining their busy schedules amid this inconvenience. Many students and staff are all having to deal with the disruption of the construction in one way or another.“Itis very inconvenient, especially when I’m trying to get to class,” senior human nutrition major Maria Gonzalez said. “You never know if the pathways to your classes will change or be blocked off. I’ve been leaving earlier for class than I previously would have to arrive on time, especially since most of my classes are in Funkhouser.” Funkhouser Building has proven especially difficult for students to navigate, including myself. Because the primary path is blocked, students and staff are constrained to alternative routes around the heavy construction. In addition, many students have begun questioning the incentives behind these projects. Are they just for aesthetics? “It’s all for appearances, ” freshman Bridan Braun said. “The Chemistry-Physics Building has undergone major construction on the outside, but the inside is decades old.”
Unfortunately, campus construction is not going away anytime soon. On Aug. 8, 2022, the university held a ceremony for the College of Design’s new home – the Gray Design Building.
Campus construction: The everyday struggle of a college student
JACK WEAVER | STAFF
By Delaney opinions@kykernel.comMcGuire
2 | kentucky opinionkernel
“It’s mostly just the guys getting to talk about stuff outside of hanging out and outside of rugby. It’s definitely a time to open up to your friends, and it builds really good connections with each other,” O’Grady said.
UK’s club rugby team has 35 players and is ranked 31st in the country, with seven wins and three losses last season. The group is looking to win an SEC tournament title, and O’Grady said he is looking for an SEC all-conference award.O’Grady said being a captain is all about how you carry yourself, and no matter what kind of day it is he will always have a smile on his face. “I have always thought of myself as a leader, and I think I lead by example more than I lead by words,” he Hesaid.said his one pregame superstition is eating gummy bears on the bus ride down to wherever they are playing that day. The one time he didn’t, he got injured. “Now, it’s like I have to. It’s just mental in my head that I have to eat them,” O’Grady said. As a Christian, he also brings faith into his sport and teammates. The club has Bible studies once a week after practice.
By Amber features@kykernel.comChaney
kentucky kernel | 3 kentuckykernelCONTACT
DAVID FALADE | STAFF Christian O’Grady poses for a photo on Friday, Sept, 2, 2022, at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky.
Rayleigh Deaton, KaciAkhilaLindseyJackeditor@kykernel.comeditor-in-chiefWeaver,managingeditorKaciMcCarthy,audienceengagementeditorkmccarthy@kykernel.comHannahStanley,newseditornews@kykernel.comDavis,asst.newseditorEmilyGirard,featureseditorfeatures@kykernel.comColeParke,sportseditorsports@kykernel.comBrooklynKelley,opinionseditoropinions@kykernel.comJackWeaver,photoeditorphoto@kykernel.comNadimpalli,leaddesignerAllieHall,asst.designerKaciMcCarthy,socialmediamanagerMcCarthy,newslettercoordinatorKENTUCKYKERNELOFFICES340McVeyHallUniversityofKentuckyLexington,KY40506
Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022
On the front cover: MICHAEL SMALLWOOD | STAFF Students wait in line at restaurants in the Gatton Student Center on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022.
Humans of UK: Christian O’Grady helps bring rugby to the bluegrass
To join UK’s rugby club, potential players can look it up on BBNvolved. The club is welcome to any new players, whether or not they have played rugby.O’Grady is looking forward to his final season as a Wildcat and encourages anyone to come try the rugby team. New people may even get to have some of his gummy bears if they join.
kicking it forward,” he said.
This is Humans of UK, inspired by the Humans of New York Instagram series by photographer and author Brandon Stanton. This series dives into the individuals of UK as well as their stories, strifes and passions. A Long Island native, southpaw and gummy bear fan, Christian O’Grady is the University of Kentucky’s co-captain for the rugby team for the 2022 season. O’Grady is a senior majoring in finance and minoring in business analytics. He has served as club president since his freshman year and was promoted to captain this pastWhileyear. rugby is not so popular in the Southeast, O’Grady said the sport is “safer than American football even though there is less ballThecatchhaveoffootball“It’sequipment.”amixofAmericanandsoccer.Alottacklingisinvolved.Youtopassbackwardsanditrunningforwards.onlywaytoadvancetheisrunningitforwardor
At one point, she takes her to her old apartment, and Marlo is blown away by the fact that the building now has a lobby.
I also appreciated how Cody and Reitman handled the narrative of Marlo and Drew’s autistic son, Jonah. Instead of being treated like an insurmountable hurdle, Jonah is just shown as another child the parents care about and fight for.
Jonah shifts schools at one point, and in a very relatable situation, he is anxious about the transition. While using the bathroom in the new building, he becomes overstimulated by a loud toilet.
Consider all of this combined, and it’s no wonder Marlo seems lost. This provides a convenient path for Tully to come in and reinvigorate her life. At the end of the movie, though, comes a twist that — not to brag — I had guessed from the scene where Marlo persuades Tully to have sex with her husband.
When I started this movie, I thought it would be an interesting, realistic look into something I do not plan on experiencing, meant to broaden my horizons. What I discovered, though, was that everyone can find a way to relate to this movie, whether or not they plan to be parents.
4 | kentucky Thursday,opinionkernelSept.8,2022
Tully was never real. She’s a manifestation of Marlo’s brain, a memory of Marlo from the time she was 26 and living in a Brooklyn loft. She was made real to get Marlo through the trials of motherhood and connect her to her past.
At another point, Tully and Marlo discuss the Ship of Theseus paradox, but with a people-centered twist. If someone has shed and reproduced all their cells, as their bodies naturally do, are they still the same person? Marlo says no.
By Emily opinions@kykernel.comGirard
This past summer was the first summer I spent in my own apartment in Lexington. I spent it the same way I’ve spent every summer: watching obscure movies on Netflix.“Tully” was one of those, and I found it simultaneously unfamiliar and enlightening.“Tully,”released in 2018, was written by Diablo Cody, directed by Jason Reitman and stars Charlize Theron and Mackenzie Davis. The movie centers around Marlo (played by Theron), who acquires a night nanny, Tully (played by Davis), after the birth of her third child. Tully and Marlo eventually become close friends, with Tully helping Marlo to rediscover who she is, reinvigorate her life and get out of the rut of her postpartum depression.
“You’re just not you without your original parts,” she says.
However, she is not angry at him; she is just expressing her own overwhelming feelings about the changes in her own life. What stands out the most in this movie
is the theme of change. We all have our own Brooklyn lofts. I, for one, have lived in a lot of places, and I plan on living in a lot more. I’m halfway through my planned two-year stay in the Lexington apartment I currently call home, and one of these days, I’m going to walk out of it for the last time. We’re going to change. Our world is going to change. Our relationships with those we love are going to change. Our carousel horses may start feeling like benches. Our lofts are going to have lobbies built into them. Sometimes, all the change is going to make the world seem like a loud toilet, and we’ll feel like strangers in our own surroundings.
Movie reviewer Christy Lemire said the film is “no confectionery ode to motherhood,” and I definitely agree. I may be a bit biased because I do not plan on giving birth to any children but, upon watching this movie, I continuously questioned why anyone would choose to do Atso. one point, Marlo comments, “My legs have veins, my tits have veins, my veins have veins.” There are also multiple scenes of Marlo breast pumping, which seems incredibly uncomfortable. Sure, the new baby is great and all, but we can’t ignore the physical toll she took on Marlo. The movie also explores Marlo’s relationship with her husband Drew. The two are not caught up in any passionate whirlwinds of romance. Multiple scenes show Drew gaming while Marlo works out logistics of infant care with Tully.
His mother, who is also anxious about the transition, tells him that the world is a loud toilet, and he will have to adjust.
‘Tully’ is a
Charlize Theron in Tully |Focus Features
I know that personally, the narratives of Marlo’s children resonated with me. I related to the oldest daughter, Sarah, and her struggles with anxiety. I nearly teared up during a moment where Sarah shares information about her favorite series, “Monster High,” with her mother.
However, Marlo seems to appreciate the stability her relationship with Drew gives her, even if it is lacking in passion. Out of every horse on the carousel, Marlo says, Drew is the bench.
In the end, though, we’ll still be the same people. No matter how much we change on the outside, we’ll still have the memories and experiences of our past. It may take a while to find, but there’s a Tully in each of us, ready to help us grab whatever life throws at us. surprisingly masterful look at motherhood and change
As someone whose anxiety made them incredibly nervous to share their own interests with their parents, this bonding moment between Marlo and Sarah was a highlight of the movie for me.
kentucky kernel | Thursday,opinion5Sept.8,2022PHOTOS: Sorority Bid Day 2022
Tuesday,
JACK WEAVER | STAFF A member of Tri Delta hugs a new member during Bid Day on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022. (Below) JACK WEAVER | STAFF Members of Chi Omega meet new members during Bid Day on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022.
JACK WEAVER | STAFF Members of Pi Beta Phi gather around a fire truck during Bid Day on Sept. 6, 2022, at University of Ken tucky in Lexington, Kentucky. (Above)
David Robinson, owner of Common Grounds, said uncertainty due to COVID-19 was a major factor in the decision to remove his business from campus, which was finalized last semester.“Thefirst semester of last year was pretty strong, and then we saw the beginning of the last semester strong, and then a lot of the classes went back to online,” Robinson said. “So the sales, hybrid and online, kind of softened the locations a little bit.” Robinson also said he worries about staffing, and differences between the business’s on-campus and off-campus locations played a role in the decision to close.“We thought it would just be so difficult to grow off campus and really just difficult to hire on campus,” Robinson said. “So we just kind of looked at it, and said it's probably wiser for us to not do that in this environment and then just focus on our off campus locations.”Inflation also impacted the decision to move forward with the closures. “Our costs were going up on the food side, and then labor costs were going up, so, all of a sudden, because of all those factors, it started to get a lot more difficult for us to ultimately be profitable on our campus locations,” RobinsonRobinsonsaid.said the decision was “100% on our [Common Grounds] part” rather than being at the behest of UK. He also said that Common Grounds retains a good relationship with both the university and Aramark Dining.UK Dining confirmed in an email that Common Grounds made the decision to close their campus locations. With the end of its on-campus residence, Common Grounds is shifting its focus to the growth of its current off-campus locations. The coffee shop currently has locations on Richmond Road, Old Todds Road and Hartland Parkway.Other businesses have filled the spaces where Common Grounds locations used to be – B’Juiced has moved into the first floor of Jewell Hall, a Wildcat Pantry is now in Ag. Science North, and PJ’s Coffee has opened in the Rosenberg College of Law.
By Grace news@kykernel.comMedley
Local coffee shop Common Grounds closed all three of their University of Kentucky campus locations for the 2022-2023 school year. Common Grounds held residence in three buildings across UK’s campus: Ag. Science North, Jewell Hall and the J. David Rosenberg College of Law, serving as both social settings and study spots for students.
EMILY WRENN | STAFF FILE PHOTO
6 | kentucky kernel
Common Grounds no longer on UK ground(s)
Thursday,newsSept. 8, 2022
Common Grounds closed all of its University of Kentucky locations before the start of the fall 2022 semester.
Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022
“I usually experience [issues] in more crowded areas of campus, as opposed to when I’m in my dorm,” he said.
UK has a record class of freshmen this year of more than 6,000 students, president Eli Capilouto said in his weekly email. Along with approximately 37,500 other students and faculty members, this could begin to explain the difficulties with Wi-Fi. “[It’s] a little inconsistent,” freshman Owen Manning said. “Sometimes it will dropAdditionally,you.”
“The only people that may still be encountering issues are devices that used to be connected to eduroam, and their first time they come back to campus and need to re-enroll into eduroam,” Chris Larmour, IS Technical Support Specialist II for College of Communication and Information, said.
Larmour said that the matter has otherwise been resolved, and under the Wi-Fi tab located on the IT website there are steps on how to reconnect on different devices.
By Nate
UK calls itself a smart campus, and provides iPads to all first-time undergraduate students. Without Wi-Fi and plenty of courses utilizing online classwork, the iPads cannot fulfill their intended use. In order to aid faculty and students and prevent further connection problems, UK provides a student tech help desk located in the William T. Young Library basement.
according to UK’s Information Technology (IT) website, the university updated its eduroam certificate over the summer, meaning that anyone who was added to the WiFi prior to July 6, 2022, will have to verify the new certificate otherwise will experience troubles.
news@kykernel.comLucas
JACK WEAVER| STAFF
Senior Joey Hurley, a computer science major, is a student worker at the tech help desk. “The majority of people are trying to get their Wi-Fi fixed. Like nine out of 10 people,” he said. “There’s usually a few things we’ll go through. Maybe sometimes they just forget their password, or there’s a certificate we need to go through and delete.” Tech help kiosks can be found on the second level of the Gatton Student Center and in the basement of William T. Young Library. Online resources can also be found on the UK Wi-Fi help website and tech help website.
A UK student takes notes on an iPad during a class on Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, at White Hall Classroom Building in Lexington, Kentucky.
Eduroam: A hotspot of connection issues
kentucky kernel | news7UK students have been experiencing difficulties with the university provided Wi-Fi, eduroam, during the first weeks of classes.Eduroam is a global company that provides Wi-Fi to thousands of hotspots in over 100 countries, according to its website. UK, one of the many users, has hotspots located over the entirety of campus, in which students are able to login with their linkblue username and password.Sophomore Osman Siddiqui said that while he is content with the Wi-Fi most of the time, he has experienced “a few connection issues or speed issues.”
8 | kentucky kernel With the record-breaking freshman class at UK, the university’s dining services are struggling to keep up with the need for space to hold the 6,000-plus new students, despite the expansion of the facility in fall 2021. New and returning students alike were a bit shocked when they were met with extensive lines that didn’t dwindle after the first few days of class.Jenny Hotko, a freshman biology major from Illinois, mentioned a lack of employees during dinner at The 90. “They only have one person working at dinnertime. At the busiest time of the day, they only have one person working,” Hotko said. UK spokesperson Jay Blanton told the Kernel that the university is doing what it can to resolve the issue. “During larger dining periods –such as lunch – our dining halls have two cashiers working, and we are continually observing these periods to ensure we are maximizing the flow of customers into and out of our facilities,” he said. Blanton also said that the university is “continuing to hire additional student workers” for “$15 an hour in pay.”Some students said they have to skip meals because of the lines. “If I were to see a long line and had class, I would just skip eating,” Maddie Oakley, a freshman biology major from Lexington, said. “I think they need more people scanning [IDs]… I know at Champs you just scan your badge … and here [at The 90] we can’t swipe it ourselves. They have to swipe it for us.” Freshman and political science major Ana St. Clair said that she has also seen and waited in long lines where employees scan her ID, and while they can be annoying, the long lines don’t directly affect her schedule.According to Blanton, Champions Kitchen and the Fresh Food Company each have a current estimated appropriate capacity of 1,000 people –a number far from the estimated 6,200 freshmen, most of whom hold meal plans.For any student living in the dorms except for the University Flats, purchasing a meal plan is required by the university. Many students in the Flats still choose to purchase meal plans, as well as some commuters. Blanton asked for patience as campus dining faculty work to move quickly through the lines in the dining halls. “The fact that the campus is utilizing our dining halls is a testament to the quality of what is offered,” Blanton said. “We want to continue that quality and provide even better service throughout the year.”
news@kykernel.comMoore
MICHAEL SMALLWOOD | STAFF Students wait in line to enter Champions Kitchen dining hall in the Gatton Student Center on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022, in Lexington, Kentucky.
Students
OVERWHELMED: face lack of space and long lines in dining halls
By Gracie
Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022
JACK WEAVER | STAFF Cars are parked in K-Lot outside Kroger Field on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, in Lexington, Kentucky.
“I had to park all the way by the community college, and I have to park there, and I got a parking ticket even though we got a permit,” freshman human health science major Madilynn Olenick said. Attendees are trying their best to explain where new and confused students should park, while ticketers are unaware of students advised to park in these locations.“Ishouldn't have even gotten a pass, I should have just racked up on tickets,” junior journalism major Alayna Tobo said.As parking is limited and construction continues across campus, students and commuters wonder why the university hasn’t built another parking lot.
“I think they should have found a way to accommodate all of those students to be parked, or at least upperclassmen,” ToboStudentssaid. also are required to move their cars out of K-Lot for every home football game as well as other varying days and weekends. For example, on Thursday, Oct. 17, 100 K-Lot parking spaces will be reserved, and 50 will be reserved Friday, Oct. 18, as UK welcomes its board of trustees to the Woodford Reserve Club at Kroger Field, according to the K-Lot schedule. UK Transportation Services has not responded to requests for an interview in regard to student parking troubles and sales of tickets.
Some students are receiving tickets for violating parking regulations they didn't know existed, becoming confused in the way the system is working.
By Bryce
OVERWHELMED: Not a lot of space in K-Lot
news@kykernel.comTowle
“It is way too overrun for the amount of students UK has brought in, and for the amount of people that actually need to park, or commute to college,” Sergio said.
kentucky kernel | 9 University of Kentucky’s Kroger parking lot, K-Lot, has become crowded as the largest incoming class in university history fills the campus. Students who hold the periphery permit struggle to find parking with the given parking locations. Parking lot attendants wore neon hazard vests and patrolled the area during the first few days of school on Aug. 2225, advising pass holders that there were no spots at the university's largest parking lot and explaining where to find additional parking.“They had signs saying the lot was full, telling me to go to that spot over there,” senior marketing major Daniel Velazquez said, referring to an overflow lot near the UK Arboretum. This year the student periphery permit allows parking in the Kroger Field Red and Blue lots, the Commonwealth Drive Lot, College Way East and West Lots and Wildcat Court Lot acting as overflow parking locations, according to the UK Transportation map and website. These overflow lots are nearly a mile farther than K-Lot is to campus, forcing students to walk greater distances to get to their classes on time. They ensure students have a way to class but also make it strenuous to get there. “Is it fair to bring in so many freshmen that you can't really accommodate like that?” sophomore business major Anna SergioDespiteasked.the trouble to find parking in the lot, students are still able to purchase new K-lot passes. The periphery permits can be purchased at the on-site customer service center all year and do not sell out, according to the website. K-Lot periphery parking passes cost students $272 a year or $136 a semester. To ensure they have a parking spot to get to class, most students buy their passes before the school year begins.
Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022
“I think there were some good plays and some easy layups that I think he would’ve been able to make in his sleep, and for whatever reason [he didn’t], and we’ve got to get to the bottom of that,” Scangarello said. “But I feel like he’ll only get better and better. Part of it is we gotta figure out how we work togeth er, it was the first time with us making adjustments on the sidelines together. I literally feel like there’s two or three throws that if he had back we’d all feel complete, and that’s a good thing.” While much of the focus falls on Levis after the win, Kentucky’s wide receivers showed out in the win, most notably transfer Tayvion Robinson who certainly wasn’t unhappy with his statline.“It felt good just to let everybody see what I could do with the ball,” Robinson said. “I came here to be a playmaker and this is a very explosive offense with a great quarterback and we delivered tonight. I just came in to make plays and help this team win.”
Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022 10 | kentucky sportskernel
Wildcats rout RedHawks in season opener
37-13
Robinson wasn’t the only receiv er to show out in his Lexington debut however, as freshman Dane Key also recorded four catches for 53 yards, including one of his own on the first scoring drive similar to Robinson be foreKeyhim.averaged 13 yards per recep tion with a 100% reception rate on targets, numbers usually not put up by freshmanFellowreceivers.freshman receiver Barrion Brown also had a big night in his colle giate debut, receiving three passes for 45 yards, an average of 15 yards per reception.While impressive, Brown’s statline will not be what is remembered from the win as the rookie also re corded a 100-yard kick-return touch down on the second half kickoff, the first kickoff return for a touchdown Kentucky has seen since 2009 before current head coach Mark Stoops took the Thereins.ever sturdy Matt Ruffolo was also a key contributor in the win, go ing a perfect 3-3 on field goal attempts, including one from 50-yards out, and 4-4 on extra point attempts. On the defensive side of the ball, linebacker Deandre Square led Ken tucky with seven total tackles and three solo tackles, while there was a three way tie between linebacker J.J. Weaver, defensive back Alex Afari Jr. and inside linebacker Jacquez Jones for UK sack leader, with all three re cording one each.
By Cole sports@kykernel.comParke
Offensive coordinator Rich Scan garello, who previously served as a quarterbacks coach for the San Francis co 49ers, also spoke on Levis’s perfor mance, expressing similar feelings as the star himself, but acknowledging that one or two plays being different could mean an entirely new outlook on the game for both of them.
Miami Ohio quarterback Brett Gabbert threw for 166 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions, with running back Tyre Shelton scoring the RedHawks’ only touchdown.
JACK WEAVER |STAFF Kentucky Wildcats wide receiver Barion Brown (2) runs the ball during the Kentucky vs. Mi ami Ohio football game on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, at Kroger Field in Lexington, Kentucky.
See REDHAWKS on page 15
The Wildcat defense allowed just one touchdown all night, on the open ing drive of the game, forcing the RedHawks to either settle for a field goal, punt or turnover the ball in the remainder of the game.
As a team Miami’s 179 total re ceiving yards couldn’t compare to Kentucky’s 303, but its 111 rushing yards forced Kentucky to reckon with the absence of Chris Rodriguez Jr., with the Cats amassing just 50 total rushing yards.
Robinson caught six passes for 136 yards, receiving the first pass of the game for the Wildcats for 45 yards. Though the 45-yard reception plays into it, Robinson averaged 22 yards per reception, with 103 yards coming after the receiver had the ball in his hands, living up to his nickname “Sweet Feet.”
Kentucky football defeated the Mi ami Ohio RedHawks 37-13 in its season opener at home on Saturday. UK’s starting quarterback Will Levis went 21-32 on the night, amassing 303 yards for three touchdowns and one in terception, though the senior passer was less than thrilled with his showing. “I’ve never felt more disappointed in 300 yards and three touchdowns,” he said. “I feel like from a decision-mak ing standpoint I think it was really good, but I think there were some accuracy issues here and there. The interception was clearly on me, [Keaton Upshaw] was wide open and I just missed them, and the two other touchdowns I threw to [Brenden] Bates and Chauncey [Mag wood] were not very good balls either.”
The flashes of greatness have always been there with Richardson. Everyone in Gainesville knew he had the ability to be great. It wasn’t until the Utah game, however, that the rest of college football got put on notice. The calls for Richardson to receive more playing time over former Gators quarterback Emory Jones were constant last season. The fans and members of the media were ready to see what kind of developments he would make un der Florida’s new coaching staff.
By Cole sports@kykernel.comParke
RAE RIISKA | THE INDEPENDENT FLORIDA ALLIGATOR
kentucky kernel | 11 Thursday, Sept. 8, sports2022
The “Across the (By)Line” series will give Kentucky football fans an in-depth look at their opponent for this week — from the mind of the opposing school’s sports editor. This week: The Alligator, Joseph Henry, Florida Now that you’ve beaten No. 7 Utah, do you think Kentucky fans have underestimated Florida as a threat?
Across
Richardson is a true dual-threat. He rushed for three touchdowns last week, but you can’t overlook the handful of times he stood strong in the pocket and showed off his arm strength. As the season grows and Richardson builds more chemistry with his wide receivers, I believe his passing will become even more prolific. What are you personally expecting to see this Saturday in the game? Who comes out on top? I’m most interested to see how Kentucky’s offense matches up with Florida’s defense. The Utes gashed the Gators on the ground week one. The Wildcats are entering this weekend with some major question marks in the back field,Withthough.thatbeing said, seeing how the Florida secondary competes against the UK’s passing game led by quarterback Will Levis is what I’m looking at most. Some sports on the defense aren’t very sound — the linebackers really strug gled in coverage of Utah’s tight ends — but UF’s defensive backs are clearly its bright spot. the (By)Line:
What is it about Florida that Kentucky is going to have the most issues with on Saturday?
Florida Gators safety Rashad Torrence II (22) tackles Utah Utes running back Tavion Thomas (9) during the Florida vs. Utah football game on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida.
The release of the latest AP top 25 definitely showed them the cali ber of team the Wildcats are facing this weekend. The Gators showed up big time last Saturday against the Utes, and they got rewarded with a jump to No. 12 in the na tion. With so much hype surround ing the season opener it would not have been too shocking for Florida to have a let down.
The addition of a three-headed mon ster in UF’s running back room makes the offense potentially one of the best in the country. Transfer Montrell John son Jr., redshirt sophomore Nay’Quan Wright and freshman Trevor Etienne were all heavily involved during the Utah game. If your team’s front seven is not ready for that challenge, good luck bringing down the Gators. There weren’t many pointing to Anthony Richardson as one of the top quarterbacks in the SEC, but after a strong week one what should Kentucky expect from him?
Gators fans aren’t very fond of the Wildcats after last season’s loss. Plus, after the ridiculous energy of last week end, the Swamp is going to be crazy yet again this weekend. That’s just off the field, though. Flor ida’s offense has already proven to be a force to be reckoned with. Richardson is a certified superstar and will be the best player on the field 90% of the time this season. He’s a highlight reel waiting to happen. He’s Vince Young, Cam New ton, Johnny Manziel … Tim Tebow.
Florida Gators
The Gators did just the opposite of that, however. Behind an eclec tic performance by quarterback Anthony Richardson, Florida up set a top-10 team in its first game under head coach Billy Napier. Now, UF enters its matchup with the Wildcats as the higher ranked team.If Florida’s run game — which racked up 284 yards against Utah — continues to rumble, it can keep pace with almost any Southeastern Conference team. The Gators are favored heading into this weekend and considering they are playing at home, I think they deserve to be.
See GATORS on page 15
Napier has seemed to unlock Richardson’s full potential. Yes, I don’t think that is an overreaction after one week. The Heisman buzz should be there. How can you watch him make the impossible possible on that two-point conversion and not agree?
By Cole sports@kykernel.comParke
The Wildcats are slated to travel to Gainesville, Florida, to duke it out with the newly No. 12 ranked Florida Ga tors in “The Swamp.” While Kentucky may be fresh off a victory over the Gators in 2021, the Cats enter the game as a six-point un derdog for a multitude of reasons.
Florida, on the other hand, started the season unranked and surrounded by question marks. The Gators entered the year with a new head coach, new starting quarterback and a lack of usual big flashy recruits that usually put the Gators high in the preseason poll. In a subversion of expectations, Florida quarterback Anthony Robinson put on a clinic in week one against No. 7 Utah, a preseason playoff hopeful, leading the Gators to a 29-26 win that saw UF skyrocket to No. 12 in the new est poll, leaping Kentucky. Richardson, a dual threat QB, went 17-24 for 168 yards passing, but also amassed 106 rushing yards with three touchdowns.WithKentucky featuring a “bend but don’t break” defensive style, the pressure will be on the defensive line to contain the mobile star, and linebackers such as Jacquez Jones will have to do their due diligence to not just defend the pass but prevent costly rushes as well, a feat not to be taken lightly. While Florida is in a similar predic ament with UK starting quarterback Will Levis also known to run with the ball, and having better passing num bers than Robinson, the Gator defense proved to at the very least be compe tent, holding a projected Pac-12 cham pion to just 26 points. Kentucky also has question marks when it comes to its running back room, with what was seen as one of the Cats’ biggest strengths preseason turning into one of its biggest weak nesses.Still facing his suspension, start ing back Chris Rodriguez Jr. is con firmed to be out against Florida, which would be a big hit on its own that is only exacerbated by the inju ries to both Jutahn McClain and Ra mon Jefferson suffered in week one. While McClain is listed as “weekto-week,” it would be foolish to gam ble on building a game plan around an uncertainty, and Jefferson is con firmed to be out for the season with a tornKentuckyACL. does still have week one starter Kavosiey Smoke as well as rotation players like La’Vell Wright, the loss of Jefferson and potential loss of McClain is going to put ad ditional weight on the shoulders of thoseFlorida,available.onthe other hand, secured most of its offensive yards in week one on the ground, having more rush ing yards than passing yards even with Robinson’s 106 subtracted.
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Wildcats look to vanquish first SEC opponent of the season in Gainesville
JACK WEAVER |STAFF Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Will Levis (7) throws a pass during the Kentucky vs. Miami Ohio football game on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, at Kroger Field in Lexington, Kentucky. SEC on page 15
Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022 12 | kentucky sportskernel
Following a 37-13 victory in its sea son opener against Miami Ohio, Ken tucky looks to compound the victory into a win streak heading into its first road game of the season.
First, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, also dubbed “The Swamp,” is regarded by some to be one of the toughest plac es in the SEC to play due to the hos tile atmosphere created by home fans, not to mention the stadium having its nickname for a reason, with the heat and humidity of Gainesville creating a swamp-like atmosphere that many fail to adjustBeyondto. that, while the Cats have been competitive and even conquered the Gators both at home and on the road in recent years, Florida went undefeat ed against the Wildcats in 31 consecu tive games from 1987 until 2017 when UK finally broke the streak. While some Kentucky fans may hope to let bygones be bygones and leave the past in the past, the fact of the matter is that Florida’s reign of domi nance is not far removed from the pres ent day, with Florida going undefeated against current Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops during the first five years of hisFinally,tenure.there’s how the teams matchup on Kentuckypaper.started the season ranked No. 20 in the preseason AP Poll, the first time since 1978 UK featured in a preseason poll, but after a less than convincing first half against the Red Hawks in week one, the Cats remained stagnant in the rankings.
Cedergren wasn’t given long to stew in his disappointment howev er as Bjorgolfsson himself quickly found himself in a prime opportunity with separation in the box.
Cedergren praised how his team responded to trailing for the first time all season, citing the key difference between cockiness and confidence that comes with highly ranked teams and how his team fell into the latter category on Tuesday.
By Luke sports@kykernel.comFetzer
MICHAEL CLUBB |STAFF FILE PHOTO Kentucky Wildcats forward Eythor Bjorgolfsson (9) pushes the ball upfield during the Kentucky vs. Notre Dame men’s soccer game on Friday, Sept. 3, 2021, at the Bell Soccer Complex in Lexington, Kentucky.
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3-2 in first ranked win of the season
No.5 Kentucky (4-0) defeated No. 10 Louisville (3-1) 3-2 on Tuesday, earning its first ranked win of the sea son.Prior to the matchup with the Car dinals, Kentucky had not allowed a single goal against, having outscored UIC, Seattle and Belmont by a com binedWith6-0.a combined five goals scored on Tuesday it’s little surprise that both teams wasted no time getting on the board, starting the match with a sense of urgency at the heightened derby matchup. It would ultimately be Louisville who got on the board first, in the 11’, after the Cardinals created pressure and ultimately got the ball to ricochet off the head of UK’s Eythor Bjor golfsson and into the net for an own goal.While head coach Johan Ceder gren recognized the humor in UK’s first goal against being an own goal, he also expressed disappointment at the defensive collapse that led to the opportunity being allowed in the first place.“Louisville is good on set piec es,” he said. “No. 16 is a big guy, but that’s something we worked on on the practice field to try to neutralize what they were doing, and I thought we couldn’t have done any worse. That’s definitely something for us to keep working on in regards to our shape and how we defend set pieces.”
Following the two early goals, both teams would remain scoreless entering the halftime break, though not for a lack of trying. Cardinal goalkeeper Gavin Krenecki had amassed four saves by halftime with just the one goal allowed, while UK’s Casper Mols notched two of his own with only the own goal allowed, a testament to the opportunities being created by both attackingComingunits.out of the break it would be Kentucky with the upper hand, wasting little time before German midfielder Nick Gutmann put one into the back of the net off an assist from Enzo Mauriz to give the Cats their first lead of the night.
“The last ten minutes is just about fighting,” Mauriz said after the game. “Fighting to make sure we don’t con cede another goal. We stuck together with solid defense and just made sure to clear everything and see out the game.”
No. 5 Kentucky defeats No. 10 Louisville
Sophomore midfielder Casper Grening saw the opportunity as well, delivering a cross to the Norwegian forward, who promptly redeemed his own goal with an equalizer.
“As a striker that’s your bread and butter,” Bjorgolfsson said. “I mean growing up headers was what I was good at. When your attacking team mates get you the ball it’s just [about putting it into] the back of the net.”
While the Cardinals would get one back in the 80’, the only true goal scored on Kentucky all season after the own goal, key keep-away plays by veteran returners to maintain con trol of the ball saw the Wildcats push through the final ten minutes and claim victory over Louisville 3-2.
“You have to be careful when talking about the culture of the group you have,” he said. “But this is a group that’s incredibly hard working, and they’ve bought in and they’re working for each other. Even though we got scored on I didn’t feel like this was a game we weren’t going to win. I love the culture of the group and [they’re] hard working, but now we just have to stay a little humble as well as the rankings keep creeping up.”
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Battling for much of the second half, Kentucky would break through once more in the 74’ as Grening got one past Krenecki unassisted to bring the total to three unanswered goals and a two-score lead over Louisville.
Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022 14 | kentucky sportskernel Kentucky mens basketball pub lished its 2022-2023 SEC schedule on Wednesday, revealing the dates and lo cations of all of UK’s conference games for the upcoming season. The Wildcats had already revealed a number of non-conference games on the schedule, primarily games featured in events.Tostart, UK is scheduled to open its season on Nov. 15 in the Champions Classic in Indianapolis against Michi gan State at 7 p.m. EST. Other event-based matchups on the schedule include Dec. 4 against Michi gan in London, England, Dec. 17 against UCLA in the CBS Sports Classic and Jan. 28 against Kansas in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge.TheWildcats are also confirmed to play in Spokane, Washington, against Gonzaga on Nov. 20, Bellarmine at home on Nov. 29 and Louisville at home on Dec. 31. Getting into the conference slate, Kentucky opens its SEC schedule on the road, traveling to Mizzou Arena in Colombia, Missouri, on Dec. 28 before playing its first home conference game against LSU on Jan. 3. Hitting the road once again on Jan. 7, the Cats travel to Tuscaloosa to bat tle Alabama inside Coleman Coliseum, though that match-up may not pack the punch it has in recent years with the Crimson Tide competing for, and even winning an SEC regular season title in 2021.The Wildcats then host South Caroli na on Jan. 10 before traveling to Knox ville to battle the reigning SEC Tourna ment champions Tennessee on Jan. 14. For the first time all season, the Cats are projected to have back-to-back homestands against Georgia and Tex as A&M on Jan. 17 and Jan. 21 before traveling to Nashville to duel Vanderbilt on Jan. 24 heading into the aforemen tioned Kansas matchup.
MICHAEL CLUBB |STAFF FILE PHOTO Kentucky Wildcats guard Sahvir Wheeler (2) drives the ball during the Kentucky vs. Ten nessee SEC Tournament semifinal mens basketball game on Saturday, March 12, 2022, at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.
Just three days after the showdown with the reigning national champions, Kentucky hits the road to travel to Ox ford, Mississippi, to battle Ole Miss at The Pavilion at Ole Miss. Kentucky then hosts Florida and Ar kansas on Feb. 4 and 7, before having its first compounded conference road trip, traveling to Athens, Georgia on Feb. 11 and Starkville, Mississippi to face Mis sissippi State on Feb. 15. Now firmly in the home stretch, Kentucky hosts Tennessee on Feb. 18 before taking a trip down to Gainesville to battle Florida on Feb. 22 and return ing home to host Auburn on Feb. 25, its last game prior to march.
With just two regular season games in the month known for madness, Ken tucky first hosts Vanderbilt on March 1 before traveling to Fayetteville to con clude its season on the road against Ar kansas, a far cry from an easy regular season finale if preseason projections holdWithtrue. the non-conference schedule yet to be released, Kentucky still has a number of holes left on the schedule left to beTherevealed.Wildcats are favored early to win the SEC with a combination of re turning talent, including consensus na tional player of the year Oscar Tshieb we, veteran transfer Antonio Reeves and five star prospects like Chris Livingston and Cason Wallace.
The SEC has seen 27 berths in the last four NCAA Tournaments, with at least one team advancing to the Elite Eight in 10 of the last 12 tournaments, meaning the conference schedule is in tegral in building a tournament resume as Kentucky hopes to redeem its first round loss to Saint Peter’s.
Kentucky mens basketball reveals 2022-2023 SEC schedule
By Cole sports@kykernel.comParke
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The trio of Montrell John son Jr., Trevor Etienne and Nay’Quan Wright amassed a combined 27 carries for 178 yards, with Etienne in particu lar averaging 12.8 yards per Whilecarry.six points may not seem like a lot, Kentucky has its work cut out for it if it hopes to begin the season 2-0.It’s far from impossible, and the Cats put forth a sim ilar unimpressive opener, conveniently also against a MAC school, in 2017 before defeating Florida in Gaines ville, but it is safe to say Florida has the advantage heading into Saturday. If there’s one thing both Florida and Kentucky fans can agree upon, it’s that there’s no love lost between the two programs and that Saturday is going to be a battle.Kentucky and Florida are scheduled to kickoff at 7 p.m. EST on Saturday, Sept. 10, inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gaines ville, Florida. The matchup is slated to be aired live on ESPN.While Cedergren was pleased to secure the first win of the season over a ranked opponent, one within the top ten no less, he recognized the next first the team will have to overcome as it travels to Oklahoma to face off with Tulsa in Kentucky’s first road game of the season. “I don’t know where Tulsa is ranked, but they’re undefeated and they just had a huge 4-0 win yester day,” he said. “I think for us every result keeps validating how good we are and the things that we’re working on can ac tually get us results on the field. If we had some doubts I think today was really good to iron them out because I think Tulsa plays very similar to how Louisville plays – they’re very good on the ball, they throw a lot of bodies forward, and they’re good in the attack – so we have to deal with that. I think today was good prepara tion for what is going to be a very tough test on Sunday.”No.5 Kentucky is scheduled to kickoff with No. 20 Tulsa at 7 p.m. EST on Sunday, Sept. 11, inside the Hur ricane Soccer and Track Stadium. The match is set to air live on ESPN+ and will be the sec ond consecutive ranked matchup Kentucky par ticipates in. Kentucky travels to Gainesville, Florida, for week two, taking on the Florida Gators next Saturday, Sept. 10, in “The Swamp.” Kickoff against Florida is currently slated for 7 p.m. EST and will air on ESPN.
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While Rodriguez’s absence was noteworthy, offensive co ordinator Rich Scangarello expressed that the difference in rushing yardage had more to do with Miami (OH) than it did“QuiteKentucky.honestly I tried to say it in the media without saying too much but [Miami (OH)] was good against the run last year and they always will be,” Scangarello said. “They play nine guys on the line and dare you to throw it over the top. I was probably a little hard headed at times with the run game but I was trying to find the rhythm for the whole offense.” While the RedHawk de fense may have been pivotal in suppressing UK’s run of fense, it also led to even more question marks heading into a tough road matchup as both JuTahn McClain and Ramon Jefferson left the game with apparent injuries, though the extent is not yet known. While there’s reason to be concerned, Levis expressed that the Wildcats are fully committed to beating Florida in one weeks time now that game one is over and that the rest will sort itself out. “I’m excited for next week,” Levis said. “I already told [the receivers] that we’re going to be getting a game plan together tomorrow. Our focus is already on the Gators and we’re ready to get out there. I think now that [the freshmen] got their legs and their heads in there they’re more ready for the [big] stage.”
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Lackawanna Road, Lexington; 1 Bedroom, 1 bath apartment; 1 year lease. Combined kitchen/living room. Does not include utilities; electric heat; window a/c available. Stove and refrigerator furnished; Deposit $1,000; $300 per month leased; Looking for student Call 859-954-8725. Their positional coach Co rey Raymond, who came over from Louisiana State, has done wonders with the group, and their improvement from last season to last Saturday was evident. Missed tackles weren’t as big of an issue as they were last season. The physicality of starting safe ties Rashad Torrence II and Trey Dean III was on full dis play against Utah, so how the Wildcats’ wide receivers han dle them will be interesting to watch.Inthe Swamp, Florida is going to be just a bit too much to handle. Kentucky is going to keep it close, but not as close as Utah did. The Gators are poised to make a move into the top 10 a lot sooner than any UF fan would’ve everScorethought.Prediction: 31-24 Florida
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ABBEY CUTRER | STAFF Students cross Avenue of Champi ons on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022, at the University of Kentucky.
