This Saturday will be the first ever meeting on the gridiron for Eastern Michigan (2-1) and Kentucky (3-1). Since the teams don’t have much history against each other, it’s needless to say that both teams have been doing their research to prepare for Saturday’s game.

If the Cats have done their homework, they’ve likely discovered Eastern Michigan’s top receiver, Sergio Bailey II.

Bailey was selected Third Team All-MAC this preseason by Athlon Sports and also named to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List. He as proved those nominations to be good ones so far this season as Bailey has 267 yards on 17 catches on the year.

Bailey seems to be the quarterback’s favorite target because he has led the Eagles in receptions every game but one. In every game this season, Bailey has at least caught five passes for 78-yards, with his best performance coming against Ohio University, where Bailey had 82 yards on seven receptions plus a touchdown. 

In his career, Bailey has 1,135 yards under his belt on 77 receptions, averaging just under 15 yards a catch. 

Senior quarterback Brogan Roback is a primary key to EMU’s success. In the Eagles’ first three games Roback has 69 completions on 114 attempts and two interceptions. Along with his 60.5 percent completion rating for the season, Roback has thrown 798 yards, including two touchdowns. 

In the Eagles’ first game Charlotte, Roback led the EMU offense, throwing for 267 yards and completing passes to 10 different receivers. Roback would again connect with double-digit receivers in the Eagles’ most recent game against Ohio, as 12 receivers caught passes from Roback.

In the three games played, Roback hasn’t finished with less than 260 passing yards.

Redshirt sophomore defensive back Brody Hoying seems to have things locked down on the defensive end of the ball. In the season opener, Hoying scored the first points with a pick-six. In the loss to Ohio, Hoying had a stand-out game with 10 tackles, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

With the Cats coming off a disappointing loss to Florida, Eastern Michigan could cause UK some trouble if the Cats come out flat. EMU racked up their first win against a Power Five school this season against Rutgers, and will be looking for another one this Saturday at Kroger Field.