Mark Stoops' Kentucky Wildcats open 2023 college football season with win over Ball State

Coverage from the game:

Devin Leary struggles with consistency in debut as Kentucky football rolls to win in opener

Coverage during the game:

LEXINGTON — Kentucky football is back.

The Wildcats kick off their 2023 season at noon Saturday, hosting Ball State.

Entering its 50th year at Kroger Field, formerly known as Commonwealth Stadium, UK is seeking its fifth consecutive 1-0 start.

The Courier Journal's Ryan Black and Scott Utterback are at Kroger Field and will have live updates throughout UK's opener — here and on X, formerly known as Twitter — and complete coverage after the game. You can follow them on X at @RyanABlack and @Utterback13.

Kentucky football beats Ball State, 44-14

Kentucky 44, Ball State 14 (4Q, 0:06)

Kentucky hits pay dirt on its final possession: Ray Davis runs it in from 30 yards out for his second touchdown of the day.

Kentucky 37, Ball State 14 (3Q, 0:28)

The Wildcats respond immediately, as receiver Barion Brown takes the ensuing kickoff 99 yards to the end zone. It's the second career kickoff return TD for the sophomore from Nashville, Tennessee.

Kentucky 30, Ball State 14 (3Q, 0:42)

The Cardinals score their second touchdown of the day on a 5-yard pass from Kadin Semonza to Ty Robinson.

Kentucky 30, Ball State 7 (3Q, 6:43)

Devin Leary's first touchdown pass as Kentucky's starting quarterback goes to Dane Key (a 6-yard score). The Wildcats drove 89 yards in just seven plays, taking 2:37 off the clock.

HALFTIME: Kentucky 23, Ball State 7

Kentucky 23, Ball State 7 (2Q, 0:00)

Alex Raynor finishes the first half 3 for 3 on field goals, knocking in a 46 yarder as time expired in the second period.

Kentucky 20, Ball State 7 (2Q, 1:08)

Alex Raynor connected on his second field goal of the day to extend the hosts' lead to 13, 20-7.

Starting Kentucky OL Kenneth Horsey goes down

Kenneth Horsey, Kentucky's starting left guard, went down with 1:19 to play in the first half. He had to be helped off the field and then was taken to the locker room on the back of a cart. Dylan Ray, a transfer from West Virginia, replaced Horsey at left guard.

Quick whistle costs Wildcats

Kentucky's defense nearly returned fumbles for touchdowns on consecutive possessions. Wildcat corner Maxwell Hairston forced a fumble from Cardinal receiver Malcolm Gillie. Kentucky free safety Jordan Lovett was in the right place at the right time, taking it 31 yards to the house. But the officials initially ruled Gillie down by contact. A review overturned the call, giving the ball to the Wildcats at the Cardinals' 31-yard line. But the corrected call did not give UK a touchdown.

Devin Leary commits turnover

Facing a fourth-and-2 at Ball State's 33, Kentucky decided to go for it. The gamble didn't work out, as miscommunication between Devin Leary and Dane Key led to an interception by Ball State corner Tyler Potts. The Cardinals took over with 1:37 left in the half.

Kentucky 17, Ball State 7 (2Q, 6:58)

On third-and-13, Layne Hatcher found tight end Tanner Koziol for 9 yards. But that's as far as Koziol got. Wildcat nickel Alex Afari rammed into Koziol and popped the ball loose. Kentucky safety Jalen Geiger scooped up the ball and took it 69 yards for the score.

Kentucky 10, Ball State 7 (2Q, 11:31)

UK reclaimed the lead on a 2-yard touchdown run from Ray Davis. It marked his first career score as a Wildcat. Kentucky benefited from a Ball State miscue: on third down, officials flagged the visitors for pass interference, giving UK an automatic first down (and goal to go) at the 2-yard line. The 11-play, 70-yard scoring drive lasted 4:58.

Ball State 7, Kentucky 3 (1Q, 1:35)

The Cardinals pushed ahead by four points after an extended drive: 13 plays, 73 yards in 7:05. Quarterback Layne Hatcher capped the scoring possession with a 2-yard touchdown run. During the drive, Hatcher completed three of his four passes for 26 yards.

Kentucky 3, Ball State 0 (1Q, 13:17)

Alex Raynor made his first field goal attempt as a Wildcat, knocking it in from 41 yards. Raynor joined Kentucky as a transfer after spending the past four seasons at Georgia Southern. His kick capped a five-play, 51-yard drive. The drive started with a 44-yard strike from Devin Leary to Dane Key on the Wildcats' first play of the 2023 season.

Kentucky football injury updates

UK apparently will be without two members of the two-deep defensive depth chart Saturday. Neither defensive end Tre'vonn Rybka nor defensive back Jordan Robinson was dressed out. Rybka was listed as the co-starter at defensive end along senior Octavious Oxendine, while Robinson was the No. 2 boundary corner (behind Andru Phillips). Running back La'Vell Wright wasn't dressed out, either. He was not listed among the top-four tailbacks on the depth chart released earlier this week. The Wildcats already are down two offensive linemen; both who are expected to miss the entire season: Nik Hall and Ben Christman.

Kentucky football pregame reading ahead of opener vs. Ball State

C.L. Brown: Liam Coen has what it takes to win in NFL. Here's why he chose UK instead

Gameday guide: What to know ahead of Wildcats' 2023 opener against Ball State

How to watch: ESPN is off for Spectrum users — here's how you can still watch today's game

'Bad taste in our mouth': Why there's hope for UK's O-line this season after rough showing in 2022

New faces in key roles: 3 freshmen to watch this season for the Wildcats

More from Brown: Jordan Lovett proved he can hit last year. Now, UK football needs him to be a star

What's in store for Wildcats: Predicting UK's 2023 season game by game

COLUMN: Give credit to Brad White, quietly a model of consistency for UK's defense

UK vs. Ball State: Story lines, key players, odds and more ahead of opener

Making the grade: Closer look at UK's position groups heading into 2023 season

Transfer portal additions: 3 newcomers who can contribute immediately

Taking the next step: 5 games that could make or break the season for the Wildcats

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

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky football 2023: Mark Stoops' Wildcats win opener vs Ball State