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3 Keys to Victory for Auburn over Kentucky

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3 Keys to Victory for Auburn over Kentucky


The Auburn Tigers take on the Kentucky Wildcats on the road at Kroger Field in Lexington on Saturday night.

The Tigers will be looking to snap their four-game losing streak, but come into this contest as a 1.5-point underdog. Kentucky is on a two-game losing streak, meaning both teams will be hungry for a win.

Here are three keys to victory for Auburn.

Keep Kentucky’s defensive line out of the backfield

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There is likely never going to be a game for any team where this is not a priority, but it will be even more important than usual for Auburn this week as Kentucky boasts one of the SEC’s best defensive fronts.

The Wildcats’ defensive line is led by Deone Walker and Octavius Oxendine, both players who are on Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze’s radar.

“This defensive front, it starts there,” Freeze said earlier this week. “They’re the real deal. Zero (Deone Walker) is probably a top 15 pick in the Draft. Eight (Octavious Oxendine) is pretty dang salty, too. The backers are really, really talented. They can run in the secondary. It’s one of the better defenses we’ve seen.”

Kentucky is fourth in the SEC in yards allowed per game (283.6) and its defensive front and linebackers recieve a lot of credit for the unit’s success.

Find ways to get Jarquez Hunter involved

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Auburn did a better job of getting star running back Jarquez Hunter the ball against Missouri, but he was limited to 57 yards off 19 carries by Missouri’s talented defensive front.

The Tigers could find themselves in a similar position against Kentucky this week, so head coach Hugh Freeze and company need to get creative when it comes to getting the ball into Hunter’s hands.

This could include prioritizing rushes to the outside or increasing the number of targets Hunter gets in the passing game. No matter where they come from, it is important for Hunter to get touches.

Take care of the football

While turnovers were a constant problem for Auburn in the first half of the season, it appears to have gotten it under control. The Tigers have played two games in a row without turning the ball over.

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Despite only two turnovers in their last three games, Auburn has still lost 16 turnovers this season, placing it at No. 129 in FBS.

Particularly when playing on the road, winning the game becomes significantly harder when you can’t take care of the football. Auburn needs to emphasize ball security in Lexington.

Kick off is set for 6:45 p.m. CT and SEC Network will carry the television broadcast.



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Kentucky

Hardley Gilmore returns to Kentucky Football

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Hardley Gilmore returns to Kentucky Football


A wide receiver from Belle Glade, Florida, Gilmore totaled 28 receptions for 313 yards and one touchdown for the Wildcats during the 2025 season. The 6-foot-1 sophomore has had a very interesting offseason as he entered the portal, flipped a commitment, and is now back in Lexington.

After the 2025 season, Gilmore committed to Louisville when he entered the transfer portal, then flipped his commitment to Baylor, and ultimately signed with the Bears. To end Gilmore’s portal saga, he’s now back in a familiar place with the Wildcats.

When the 2026 season begins, Gilmore will have two years of eligibility remaining.

Gilmore had a solid sophomore campaign with the Wildcats, appearing in all 12 games. His best game of the season came in the late-season loss against Vanderbilt. He tallied six catches for 55 yards in the game.

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With Kentucky losing most of its wide receiver production from last season, this is a significant pickup, and it won’t be surprising if Gilmore is back in the starting lineup this fall.



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Kentucky vs. Texas A&M Injury Report: The usual suspects are out

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Kentucky vs. Texas A&M Injury Report: The usual suspects are out


As for the Aggies, the only name on the report is Mackenzie Mgbako, a one-time Kentucky target who remains out for the season after undergoing foot surgery. Texas A&M head coach Bucky McMilan said today that Mgbako will return next season, which would be a big boost for the Aggies before the offseason begins.

Kentucky vs. Texas A&M Injury Report



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Watch: Blast brings down Northern Kentucky bridge

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Watch: Blast brings down Northern Kentucky bridge


COVINGTON, Ky. (WKRC) – The Licking River Bridge was demolished Monday morning in a controlled blast, clearing the way for a replacement structure.

Authorities established a 1,000-foot safety perimeter, closed nearby roads and asked residents to shelter in place before the demolition. The bridge collapsed within seconds of the blast.

“Today we say goodbye to a bridge that has served Kentuckians for nearly a century and we make room for something new. A signature bridge that is safer, stronger and we make room for something new,” Gov. Andy Beshear said. “This region, like the rest of the commonwealth, is evolving, it is booming, it’s economy growing every day. What we’re doing together is building our new Kentucky home.”

The Licking River Bridge is now history after crews brought it down with a controlled demolition Monday morning. (WKRC)

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Crews will begin construction on the new bridge after debris removal is complete. The replacement bridge is expected to open in the summer of 2028.



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