LEXINGTON — Ball State coach Bill Lynch knows exactly what to expect when his squad ventures into Southeastern Conference territory today to face Kentucky.

        “Kentucky has very, very good talent on both sides of the ball, with speed, size and strength that we don't normally see in the Mid-American Conference,” said Lynch, whose Cardinals (0-1) got shut out 30-0 at Auburn last week.

BALL ST. at UK

• When: 1:30p.m. today.   • Where: Commonwealth Stadium (67,530), Lexington.   • Records: UK 0-1, Ball State 0-1.   • Radio: WSAI-AM (1530).   • Series: First meeting.   • Line: UK by 10 1/2.   • What to watch: This might be UK's lone victory this season.

        “We took the approach during the preseason that we have eight quarters of SEC football to play. Whether it's Auburn or Kentucky, it's Southeastern Conference football in a hostile environment.”

        Ball State struggled offensively against the Tigers, gaining only 92 total yards and failing to cross midfield even one time.

        Kentucky (0-1) also struggled in its season opener, a 36-10 home loss to archrival Louisville.

        The Wildcats' offense, which led the SEC with 445 yards per game last year, stalled early and never could get on track. It finished with only 213 total yards, its lowest output since gaining only 176 in a 23-22 loss to Mississippi State in 1999.

        Quarterbacks Jared Lorenzen and Shane Boyd combined to complete only 15 of 37 passes for 155 yards with two interceptions and two lost fumbles.

        Lorenzen, who took nearly every snap last year as a redshirt freshman and set six NCAA freshman passing records, will start again this week against the Cardinals. But first-year coach Guy Morriss said he plans to get Boyd, an athletic redshirt freshman who nearly earned the starting job in spring and fall drills, as much playing time as possible.

        “Jared will take the first snap, so I guess that makes him the starter,” Morriss said. “But that could change. It's day-to-day with those guys. It's ongoing during the week and the game.

        “We're still looking for someone to prove to us that they are capable of moving the team on a consistent basis.”

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