GARY B. GRAVES

AP Sports Writer
Duke's Jaquez Moore (9) carries the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Northwestern in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
ACC still standing with presence in rankings, statistics. And with different teams up top, for now
Duke’s opening-week rout of then-No. 9 Clemson served notice that the Atlantic Coast Conference wouldn’t necessarily fall in line behind the perennial powerhouse Tigers.
 
Grambling State defensive back Christen Williams (29) loses his helmet as he tackles LSU running back Logan Diggs (3) during an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
No. 14 LSU, Mississippi State open SEC play, with Tigers beginning West Division title defense
Unbeaten Mississippi State knows it must improve, entering a stretch of SEC games that could determine its chances of contending in the SEC West.
 
LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (11) breaks away from Grambling State for a touchdown during an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
No. 14 LSU visits Mississippi State in SEC West opener matching reigning champ, possible challenger
SEC play begins with a West faceoff between No. 14 LSU and Mississippi State headlining three contests.
 
FILE - Javier Castellano, atop Mage, third from left, is seen with others behind the pack as they make the first turn while competing in the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. Horse racing's federally created oversight panel found no single cause of death among 12 horses at Churchill Downs this spring, but recommends further action and analysis to mitigate risk at the home of the Kentucky Derby, according to a report released Tuesday, Sept. 12. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
Panel finds no single factor in horse deaths at Churchill Downs. More screening is suggested
A report from horse racing’s federally created oversight panel found no single cause of death among 12 horses at Churchill Downs this spring, but recommends further action and analysis to mitigate risk at the home of the Kentucky Derby.
 
Kentucky quarterback Devin Leary (13) throws the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Eastern Kentucky in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Michelle Haas Hutchins)
Devin Leary throws for 4 TDs and Kentucky rallies twice to outlast Eastern Kentucky 28-17
Devin Leary passed for four touchdowns, including two to Tayvion Robinson, as Kentucky scored four consecutive TDs to rally past and hold off Eastern Kentucky 28-17 on Saturday.
 
Murray State defensive back KaVan Reed (13) attempts to tackle Louisville running back Jawhar Jordan (25) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Louisville, Ky., Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
Jawhar Jordan, Jamari Thrash have 2 TDs each, Louisville routs Murray State 56-0 in home opener
Jawhar Jordan and Jamari Thrash each scored two touchdowns, and Louisville used a slew of explosive plays to dominate Murray State 56-0 on Thursday night for its first shutout in nearly three years.
 
Kentucky quarterback Devin Leary (13) looks to pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Ball State in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Michelle Haas Hutchins)
Ray Davis, Devin Leary and opportunistic defense help Kentucky blow out Ball State 44-14 in opener
Ray Davis ran for two touchdowns while Devin Leary passed for one in their Kentucky debuts, and Kentucky’s defense made several big plays to rout Ball State 44-14 in the season opener for both teams on Saturday.
 
FILE - Jeff Brohm speaks after he was introduced as Louisville football coach in Louisville, Ky., Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022. Louisville opens their season at Georgia Tech on Sept. 1. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley, File)
Jeff Brohm is back home coaching Louisville with much expected of the Cardinals in first year
Louisville finally lured Jeff Brohm away from Purdue on the second try, boosting expectations of the former Cardinals standout quarterback guiding the program to the next level in the ACC.
 
FILE - Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops speaks during the Southeastern Conference NCAA college football media days, Wednesday, July 19, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. Kentucky opens their season at home against Ball State on Sept. 2. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)
Kentucky and coach Mark Stoops seek rebound from 2022 falloff. Liam Coen’s return as OC could help.
Kentucky looks to bounce back from a lackluster 7-6 finish last fall after starting No. 20 with high expectations. The Wildcats started 4-0 and achieved a No. 7 ranking in September before cratering in many phases.
 
FILE - Mississippi State head coach Zach Arnett speaks during NCAA college football Southeastern Conference Media Days, Tuesday, July 18, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. Mississippi State opens their season at home against Southeastern Louisiana on Sept. 2. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)
Success is the only identity Zach Arnett seeks as he begins first season as Mississippi State coach
First-year Mississippi State coach Zach Arnett has a tough act to follow following the death of offense-minded predecessor Mike Leach, but he brings impressive defensive credentials.
 
FILE - Kentucky head coach John Calipari shouts to his players during the second half of a first-round college basketball game against Providence in the NCAA Tournament on Friday, March 17, 2023, in Greensboro, N.C. Relief has replaced anxiety among Kentucky's fan base as Wildcats coach John Calipari has assembled a full roster, albeit later than expected. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
John Calipari finally fills Kentucky roster after working longer for recruits and transfers
Relief has replaced anxiety among Kentucky’s fan base: Wildcats coach John Calipari has assembled a full roster, albeit later than expected.
 
Kentucky will roll out sports betting for retail on Sept. 7, in time for the start of NFL season
Kentucky racing officials have approved a rollout for sports betting, which will take effect when the NFL season begins in September.
 
From who’s No. 1 to who’s the next coach to be fired, AP college football writer Ralph Russo keeps on top of the all the news, trends and arguments fueling the most passionate fans in all of sports...
No. 8 Kentucky seeks more improvement vs Northern Illinois
Cleaner play would really please Kentuky coach Mark Stoops. Though No. 8 Kentucky has had solid moments in achieving its highest ranking since 2007, it’s been inconsistent.
 
From who’s No. 1 to who’s the next coach to be fired, AP college football writer Ralph Russo keeps on top of the all the news, trends and arguments fueling the most passionate fans in all of sports...
Stoops: Rodriguez will return for No. 9 Kentucky on Oct. 1
Kentucky coach Mark Stoops says leading rusher Chris Rodriguez Jr. will return from an unspecified absence on Oct. 1 for the No. 9 Wildcats’ Southeastern Conference matchup at No. 20 Mississippi.
 
Dixon, Wallace earn AP Kentucky All-State football honors
Isaac Dixon, who returned to Belfry High School with an extra season of eligibility and rushed for nearly 2,000 yards to carry the young Pirates to the Class 3A state championship, has been selected as Kentucky’s Mr. Football for the 2021 season.
 
No. 4 Oklahoma State survives No. 13 Liberty 69-60 in NCAA
Avery Anderson III scored 21 points, Cade Cunningham added 15 after a rough start and No. 4 seed Oklahoma State outlasted No. 13 Liberty 69-60 in the NCAA Tournament Midwest Region first round.
 
Alabama blows out Mississippi State 85-48 in SEC quarters
Jahvon Quinerly scored 14 points off the bench, Jaden Shackelford added 13 points and No. 6 Alabama blew out Mississippi State 85-48 in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals.
 
Louisville’s Mack: ‘Not a good look’ going maskless in video
Louisville coach Chris Mack says it was “not a good look” to be shown maskless in a viral video while celebrating the Cardinals’ Dec. 26 victory over rival Kentucky.
 
Wilson, Rodriguez help Kentucky survive Vanderbilt 38-35
Kentucky quarterback Terry Wilson accounted for three touchdowns, Chris Rodriguez Jr. rushed for two scores including a 74-yarder before the Wildcats withstood Vanderbilt’s late rally to win 38-35 and end a two-game losing streak.
 
Essential Quality wins Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Keeneland
Essential Quality took charge in the stretch to overtake 94-1 long shot Hot Rod Charlie and win the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile by three-quarters of a length.
 
Kentucky hopes its depth results in more balance, victories
Kentucky is hoping to build off last season’s success as the Wildcats play an expanded Southeastern Conference schedule featuring several Top 25 teams.
 
Austin Cindric completes Xfinity sweep at Kentucky Speedway
Austin Cindric dominated Friday night to sweep the NASCAR Xfinity Series doubleheader at Kentucky Speedway.
 
Austin Cindric wins NASCAR Xfinity race at Kentucky Speedway
Austin Cindric won the first of two NASCAR Xfinity Series races at Kentucky Speedway, charging past Chase Briscoe on an overtime restart Thursday night for his first victory of the season and first on an oval.
 
No. 8 Kentucky tops No. 15 Auburn 73-66 to clinch SEC title
Immanuel Quickley had 18 points and a career-high 12 rebounds, No. 8 Kentucky outscored No. 15 Auburn 20-3 during a first-half stretch to go ahead and held on to win 73-66 and clinch the Southastern Conference regular season championship.
 
Howard, No. 18 Kentucky women top No. 6 Mississippi St 73-62
Rhyne Howard scored 26 points and led a third-quarter surge that sent No. 18 Kentucky over No. 6 Mississippi State 73-62. The Wildcats outscored the Bulldogs 22-9 in the third quarter.
 
Ashton Hagans scored 14 of his 23 points in the second half and No. 15 Kentucky used a 14-4 run to pull away and beat Georgia 89-79.
 
No. 14 Kentucky tops Alabama 76-67 for 1,000th SEC victory
Immanuel Quickley scored the game’s final five points and finished with 19, Ashton Hagans had 15 with big 3 late and No. 14 Kentucky topped Alabama 76-67 for its 1,000th Southeastern Conference victory.
 
No. 17 Kentucky outlasts Missouri 71-59 in SEC opener
Immanuel Quickley scored a career-high 23 points, Nick Richards had 21 and No. 17 Kentucky beat Missouri 71-59 in the Southeastern Conference opener for both schools.
 
No. 1 Louisville tops No. 4 Michigan 58-43 in Big Ten/ACC
Jordan Nwora had 22 points and 12 rebounds, and top-ranked Louisville held No. 4 Michigan to a season-low 26% shooting mark for a 58-43 victory in its first game since returning to No. 1.
 
Bowden’s 4 rushing TDs help Kentucky rout Louisville 45-13
Lynn Bowden rushed for 284 yards _ an SEC single-game record by a quarterback _ and a career-high four touchdowns to lead Kentucky’s school-record 517-yard performance that blew out rival Louisville 45-13 in the Governor’s Cup showdown.
 
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