For the final time before UK takes the field against Eastern Kentucky, head coach Mark Stoops spoke with media about the week’s preparation heading into Saturday’s game.

“It’s been a good solid week of practice, excited and ready to go,” Stoops said. “Hope everybody is excited for the home opener, I know our players will be.”

Scouting report: Eastern Kentucky football

Stoops also updated media of the team’s injuries, which fortunately for the Cats is a short list. 

Fans may remember many UK players going down with injuries against Southern Miss, but most of those injuries were cramps due to the heat.

The Cats didn’t escape Hattiesburg, Mississippi completely unscratched though, as offensive lineman Bunchy Stallings did suffer an ankle injury when Benny Snell fell on him from behind. 

“He’s (Stallings) a little gimpy but hopefully he’ll be able to play,” Stoops said. 

The Cats have depth at offensive line and will likely be fine if Stallings had to miss the game, but we fans saw last week, the line wasn’t perfect when Stallings went out, and the Cats would prefer to have Stallings out there than not.

Lynn Bowden could see playing time this week 

Lynn Bowden has been making headlines ever since the beginning of fall training camp.

However, Bowden has been in the headlines for the wrong reasons, as he has yet to earn significant playing time on the field. 

All that could change this weekend though, if the right opportunity presents itself.

“We’re just looking to get him involved as – again we had plans last week, I want to say we had him in in the second series of the game,” Stoops said. “We had planned to get him the ball soon after that but it just – first downs didn’t present itself and it didn’t happen.”

Bowden has drawn great reviews in practices, as early every offensive player, and some defensive players have said good things about him. Earlier in the week Snell said, once Bowden gets the chance to see the field, he is going to be a great player for the Cats.

“We’d like to get him involved, he’s very talented and each week he’s more and more comfortable, so hopefully he’ll get an opportunity to touch the football,” Stoops said.