LEXINGTON — Story lines abound for Kentucky football heading into Saturday’s 2024 opener against Southern Miss.

Brock Vandagriff, a transfer from Georgia, will make his first-ever start as a collegian after winning the Wildcats’ starting quarterback job. Bush Hamdan is in Game 1 as UK’s offensive coordinator. And Kentucky coach Mark Stoops acknowledged earlier this week he hasn’t forgotten the last time Southern Miss came to town: The Golden Eagles rallied from a 25-point deficit to hand the Wildcats a 44-35 loss in the 2016 opener.

Watch Kentucky football vs Southern Miss live on Fubo (free trial)

Despite all the focus on the UK offense with Hamdan and Vandagriff making their debuts Saturday, it’s the defense that might make this fall a special one for the program. Led by sixth-year coordinator Brad White, the defense returns 10 starters from last season. None more important than Deone Walker, a likely first-round pick in next year’s NFL draft.

After reaching a bowl every year since 2016 (though the 2021 season’s Citrus Bowl appearance has been vacated due to NCAA violations), Kentucky hopes to take the next step this fall and work its way into College Football Playoff contention in the first season of the 12-team format.

That journey begins Saturday night at Kroger Field.

• Date: Saturday, Aug. 31
• Time: 7:45 p.m.
• Location: Kroger Field

• TV channel: SEC Network
• Streaming: Fubo (free trial)
• Radio: UK Sports Network (840 AM in Louisvillel 630 AM and 98.1 FM in Lexington)

Kentucky vs. Southern Miss will be broadcast nationally on SEC Network. Tom Hart and Jordan Rodgers will call the game from the booth at Kroger Field, with Cole Cubelic reporting from the sidelines. Streaming options for the game include FUBO, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.

• Series record: Kentucky leads, 3-1
• Kentucky’s last win: 2017 (24-17)
• Southern Miss’ last win: 2016 (44-35)

Kentucky 34, Southern Miss 10: The Golden Eagles added numerous players from power conferences via the transfer portal during the offseason. Those additions won’t be nearly enough to send Kentucky to a season-opening loss, however, as coach Mark Stoops and Co. begin the 2024 campaign 1-0.

Game lines and odds from BetMGM as of Saturday:

• Spread: Kentucky is a 24 ½-point favorite at home
• Over/under: 50
• Moneyline: Kentucky, -5000; Southern Miss, +1800

Kentucky has its share of players dealing with injuries. Presumed starting running back Chip Trayanum is out with a hand injury. A trio of UK defensive linemen (Josaih Hayes, Tavion Gadson and Darrion Henry-Young) are out indefinitely. Kentucky offensive lineman Courtland Ford also will miss an extended period of time.

The high is 94 degrees with thunderstorms and an 92% chance of rain in the forecast.

• Aug. 31: Southern Miss ∣ 7:45 p.m.
• Sept. 7: South Carolina ∣ 3:30 p.m
• Sept. 14: Georgia ∣ 7:30 p.m.
• Sept. 21: Ohio ∣ 12:45 p.m.
• Sept. 28: at Ole Miss ∣ Noon
• Oct. 12: Vanderbilt
• Oct. 19: at Florida
• Oct. 26: Auburn
• Nov. 2: at Tennessee
• Nov. 16: Murray State ∣ 1:30 p.m.
• Nov. 23: at Texas
• Nov. 30: Louisville

Record: 0-0

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• Aug. 31: at Kentucky
• Sept. 7: Southeastern Louisiana
• Sept. 14: USF
• Sept. 21: at Jacksonville State
• Oct. 5: Louisiana
• Oct. 12: at Louisiana Monroe
• Oct. 19: Arkansas State
• Oct. 26: at James Madison
• Nov. 9: Marshall
• Nov. 16: at Texas State
• Nov. 23: South Alabama
• Nov. 30: at Troy

Record: 0-0

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Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.