This Week in the Bluegrass — Scores & Bourbon Plans (September 15, 2025)

Who Dey nation and Big Blue country both brought the noise this weekend. The Bengals gutted out a thriller to stay perfect, while Kentucky handled business at Kroger Field. Now the Bluegrass turns the page to a loaded run of bourbon and culture—street fests, tastings, rock megafests, and pure horse‑country vibes. Here’s the fast, fan‑forward recap and your next two weeks of plans.

Cincinnati Bengals

Final: Bengals 31, Jaguars 27 — September 14, 2025 (Cincinnati)

3 key stats/plays

• Jake Browning relief hero: 21/32, 241 yds, 2 TD, 3 INT, plus the game‑winning 1‑yd sneak with :18 left.

• Ja’Marr Chase feasted: 14 receptions, 165 yards, 1 TD.

• Defense flipped the script with 2 INTs of Trevor Lawrence to stall Jacksonville rallies.

Outlook / what’s next
Gritty 2–0 start, but QB health is the storyline. If Browning goes, expect a quick‑game, Chase‑heavy plan and more carries for Chase Brown. Next: at Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, September 21, 2025 (1:00 p.m. ET).

Kentucky Wildcats Football

Final: Kentucky 48, Eastern Michigan 23 — September 13, 2025 (Lexington)

3 key stats/plays

• Seth McGowan: 104 rush yds, 3 TD—chain‑mover all night.

• Cutter Boley: first start spark—~240 pass yds, 2 TD.

• Defense stood up on money downs with multiple fourth‑down stops.

Outlook / what’s next
Confidence builder achieved. Bye week on September 20, 2025, then the true test resumes: at South Carolina on Saturday, September 27, 2025 (time TBA).

Bourbon & Culture: Next 7–14 Days

1. Oktoberfest Zinzinnati — Sawyer Point & Yeatman’s Cove, Cincinnati — September 18–21, 2025 — Free entry; no ticket required.

2. Louder Than Life — Highland Festival Grounds @ KY Expo Center, Louisville — September 18–21, 2025 — Ticketed four‑day rock/metal mega‑fest; single & multi‑day passes.

3. Keeneland September Yearling Sale — Keeneland, Lexington — September 8–20, 2025 — Free to attend/watch; Bluegrass culture at its core.

4. KY Bourbon & Irish Whiskey Tasting — Irish Heritage Center, Cincinnati — September 18, 2025 — Ticketed guided tasting; limited seats—RSVP recommended.

5. NuLu Fest (15th Annual) — East Market Street, Louisville — September 27, 2025 — Free neighborhood block party with food, bourbon, and live music.

6. Bourbon Country Burn (Cycling + Distilleries) — Fayette/Woodford/Anderson Counties hubbed from Lexington, Central KY — September 26–28, 2025 — Paid registration; multi‑day ride with distillery stops.

Gear up for game day

Rep the stripes and the blue while you plan your pours:

• Tailgate‑ready gear → /collections/hero

• Kentucky classics → /collections/wildcat-tees-tops

• Bengals picks → /collections/cincinnati-game-day-gear