
Bengals Win, Cats Fall — Bluegrass Scores & Bourbon Plans
Share
This Week in the Bluegrass — Scores & Bourbon Plans (September 8, 2025)
Football’s back, and the Bluegrass is buzzing. The Bengals gutted out a one‑point road win, while Kentucky took its first SEC lumps. Either way, we’ve got plenty to cheer—and plenty to sip—with a run of bourbon and culture events lighting up Louisville, Lexington, and Cincy. Here’s your fast, fan‑forward recap and a short list of can’t‑miss plans for the next two weeks.
Cincinnati Bengals
Final: Bengals 17, Browns 16 (September 7, 2025 — Cleveland)
3 key stats/plays
-
Defense seals it: Jordan Battle and DJ Turner II snagged second‑half interceptions that swung momentum.
-
Evan McPherson hit a 35‑yard FG late in the third—ultimately the difference.
-
Tough sledding on offense: Joe Burrow 14/23, 113 yds, 1 TD; Chase Brown 21 rush, 43 yds, 1 TD.
Outlook / what’s next
Ugly but gritty—exactly what you take in Week 1 on the road. The pass rush flashed (Hendrickson/B.J. Hill affected key downs), but the offense needs rhythm. Next up: Jacksonville Jaguars at Paycor Stadium on Sunday, September 14, 2025 (1:00 p.m. ET).
Kentucky Wildcats Football
Final: Ole Miss 30, Kentucky 23 (September 6, 2025 — Lexington)
3 key stats/plays
-
Rebels RB Kewan Lacy ran for 138 yards and a TD; explosive plays hurt.
-
Ty Bryant grabbed two first‑half interceptions, both leading to UK touchdowns.
-
Zach Calzada threw for 149 yards; Seth McGowan 88 rush yards, 2 TD kept UK in it.
Outlook / what’s next
Competitive, but finishing drives remains the homework. Opportunity to reset against a MAC foe: Eastern Michigan visits Kroger Field on Saturday, September 13, 2025 (7:30 p.m. ET).
Bourbon & Culture: Next 7–14 Days
-
Bourbon & Beyond — Highland Festival Grounds @ Kentucky Exposition Center, Louisville — September 11–14, 2025 — Tickets required; multi‑day passes available.
-
OHLQ “Celebration of Bourbon” — Kroger Beechmont, Cincinnati — September 10, 2025 — Tasting event; arrive early / check RSVP details.
-
Keeneland September Yearling Sale — Keeneland, Lexington — September 8–20, 2025 — Free to watch; world’s premier yearling auction—pure Bluegrass culture.
-
KY Bourbon & Irish Whiskey Tasting — Irish Heritage Center, Cincinnati — September 18, 2025 — Ticketed guided tasting (evening session).
-
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati — Sawyer Point & Yeatman’s Cove, Cincinnati — September 18–21, 2025 — Free entry; food, music, and steins—Cincy at full volume.
Gear up for game day
Rep the stripes and the blue while you plan your pours:
-
Bengals picks → /collections/Cincinnati-Game-Day-Gear
-
Kentucky classics → /collections/wildcat-tees-tops
-
Tailgate‑ready gear → /collections/borderland-gameday