When a typical game day turned into one of the most bizarre scenes in recent memory for Kentucky football as each lightning strike was followed by roars of thunder, Big Blue Nation remained unphased.

“I sincerely can’t even begin to thank the fans for what they were like,” head coach Mark Stoops said. “To go out there two hours after we were supposed to and see ‘em just going nuts and cheering us on, that was truly amazing.” 

The first change of the night for fans came when they were lined up for the “Cat walk” — a game day tradition where fans welcome and cheer the team on as it heads into the stadium — which was moved indoors and closed to the public.

As anticipation built for the season opener, fans were forced to wait even longer as the opening of the gates for them to head to their seats was also delayed. 

Eventually, fans were allowed into the stadium and out of the elements, but had to remain in the concourse due to the weather preventing anyone from being in the bowl area of the stadium. 

With the gates not even opening until 7:05 for the scheduled 7:45 kickoff, the obvious became apparent when the official start time was delayed until further notice. 

Finally, the next update came, allowing fans to head to their seats.

This caused a mad dash by students to get the best seats in the house as they are first-come, first-serve. In what felt like moments, the stadium went from empty to near capacity.

All the waiting seemed worth it as an official start time of 8:15 p.m. was announced and team personnel and players came onto the field to set up pregame warmups to roars from the eager fans.

This turned out to be just as teasing, however, when the same personnel began taking the equipment right back off the field as the game had been delayed yet again.

This caused a holding pattern as the slow-moving storm made its way across the area, but the fans did not deter one bit. 

To pass the time, the stadium crew decided to give fans a preview of the new blue lights that are brand new to Kroger Field this season, which caused a ruckus. 

This was just a precursor to the fun though, as the lights turned into sing alongs of “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers, “Y.M.C.A” by Village People and “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond. 

As the party continued, an official start time of 10:05 was announced and, this time, it was for real. 

Even though football was finally happening without the typical hype package followed by a team entrance, there was no shortage of energy in the stadium when Aidan Laros sent the opening kickoff away.

Even though the lightning had stopped, the rain continued coming down but, just like every other time on this game day, BBN remained unphased as it passionately willed on the Cats. 

With each interception, sack, big play or touchdown, the energy was palpable even when some would figure that eventually the crowd would lose steam. 

“Once again I have to acknowledge the fans, it was incredible,” Stoops said Monday following the victory. “What a great atmosphere, to hang around and wait for us, two hours plus and then give us a lot of inspiration.” 

Even as the Cats jumped out to a major lead, the stadium still remained largely full early into the third quarter. 

Unfortunately, lightning would strike twice with just under 10 minutes remaining in the third quarter, which caused the teams to be removed from the stadium and a mass exodus of the fans who had stuck it out. 

Even though there was still time on the clock, both teams agreed to concede the game and Kentucky was awarded the victory. 

“I’m glad we played a pretty decent game,” Stoops said. “I know our guys played hard, they were excited to play for them, I feel like they played their hearts out.”

While you could argue back and forth who was the “player of the game” on the field, the biggest salute should arguably go to the fans who dealt with not only the elements, but the highs and lows of the entire day just to cheer on the home Wildcats.

Going into a week with an SEC matchup, Big Blue Nation is being called upon again as the stakes are raised. 

“Great atmosphere, great situation and we need it again,” Stoops said. “I call them this week, we need this place electric and we promise you our team is going to work hard and we will be prepared and ready to tee it up this Saturday.”

Kickoff for the SEC opener against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Kroger Field is scheduled for 3:30 ET and the game will air live on ABC/ESPN+.