Early Season Clash Valuable and Close for Indiana and Kentucky

08.28.2026 - 08.29.2026College Men

Indiana defends against Kentucky. Photo Alex Goff.

Author: Alex Goff

The fall season kicked off in impressive fashion Friday night for the University of Kentucky and Indiana University.

Kentucky hosted the Hoosiers for three games, with the Wildcats taking the C-side convincingly, and the B-side game in a somewhat closer contest.

But Indiana took the A-side match in what was a quite dramatic contest, 22-13.

Neither side would be overjoyed with their execution nor their finishing ability, but it is early days and you don't get better unless you play games.

In the A-side match Kentucky started the game on the front food and while Indiana defended with intensity—center Reuben Kruger was especially aggressive on defense for IU.

Wildcat center Alex Dempsey was asking questions of the Indiana defense. But Kentucky was unable to get any points out of the pressure despite getting down to the tryline. A huge turnover forced by No. 8 Owen Welburn eventually lifted the pressure for Indiana.

When the Hoosiers got some possession they showed some potential with their backline moves, with flyhalf Andrew Arbes looping around and taking a return pass to set free some outside runners. But flanker Brendan Lynn was flying in to make tackles all over the place and that aggression, backed up by several other forwards.

Finally Kentucky worked their way into scoring position, and when Indiana was guilty of not rolling away, John Dardis slotted the penalty for a 3-0 lead.

A turnover led to Kentucky getting into Indiana territory soon thereafter and another penalty allowed Dardis to double the UK lead.

A third such scenario led to Kentucky taking the lineout, but they were unable to get over the line, suffering another missed opportunity. Indiana could feel their pain, as the Hoosiers were down to the line on several occasions in the closing minutes of the first half. They were held up twice, and Kentucky took a 6-0 lead into halftime.

Indiana Head Coach Luke Gross told his team not to get worried and to just keep at it. What they were doing, if executed properly, would work. Kentucky Head Coach Sam Enari wasn't resting on any laurels and knew that missed scoring opportunities would hurt.

Kentucky started the second half putting Indiana underpressure and several snipey runs from their backs were stoped just short of the line. Indiana's desperation defense was impressive.

But they were helped by the Wildcats not opting to spin it wide when they had numbers.

Indiana did get into the Kentucky end but lost the ball. Wing Colin Spellacy kicked downfield and chased, and for a few brief moments it looked as if Kentucky had the kick chase under control.

But Indiana found some space out wide and then a grubber was put through to the middle, where scrumhalf chased the ball down, got a bounce, and was over.

It was an exciting and well-taken try, and when Arbes converted, Indiana had their first lead. Kentucky looked to get back at it but the Hoosiers turned the ball over in their 22. Reserve back Axel Reis took off down the field and just as he looked to be about to be caught, he lofted a pass over a defender's head for fullback Matt Chevalier to grab and score.

It was an impressive play, as Chevalier worked hard in support, while Ries showed intelligence and unselfishness to keep the attack alive.

Now down 14-6 Kentucky got another penalty chance but that kick sailed wide. Indiana's cover defense remained good and as a result UK started to do a couple of ill-advised things, like kicking the ball through with a little too much power behind it.

That led to a couple of goalline dropouts, and from one Kentucky players were called for obstruction as they raced back for the ball. This was a huge turnabout, as Indiana tool a lineout, worked it in tight, and then sent a wide pass to Chevalier to wriggled over near the corner.

Now it was 19-6.

"We knew the mistakes we made," said Chevalier, "and we just went into the second half and fixed them."

Kentucky didn't fold and in fact came right back thanks to another good kick on the run from Spellacy. They earned a scrum-five and ran a backline play to score near the posts. Conversion was good and it was 19-13. Kentucky did have a chance now to pull this out, but Indiana iced it with a penalty.

Overall, there were a number of missed connections and both teams will lament solid scoring chances that they failed to convert. But the game was played with mid-season intensity, and was very entertaining. It was also played in a good spirit—at one point Indiana players were seen helping a Kentucky player with a leg cramp.

It was that kind of game. Peter Drake was impressive for IU at tighthead prop and the elder Ries brother at scrumhalf had some special moments. Blood subs meant that reserve front-rower Cam Bowling got a ton of game time for Kentucky and kept making plays. Lynn was outstanding, as was Dempsey before he got hurt.

It won't get much easier for either team. Indiana has Arkansas State on the slate, while Kentucky looks ahead to Marian.