Kentucky continued a strong start to the 2015 campaign with a gritty 21-13 win over Missouri last week. That triumph ran the Wildcats’ record to 3-1 overall and 2-1 in the SEC East.

Auburn visits Commonwealth Stadium for a Thursday night game on Oct. 15, but before the Tigers come calling, Kentucky will celebrate Homecoming by entertaining FCS Eastern Kentucky on Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET, SECN).

The Wildcats are perfect in three meetings against the Colonels, including a 37-12 victory in the most recent contest back in 2009.

With a pair of league wins already under its belt, Kentucky is in a good spot right now. This game, followed by a 12-day rest before the Auburn matchup, is a period where the Wildcats can fine tune the offense and shake off any nagging injury concerns.

With that in mind, here are four Wildcats — and one Colonel — to keep an eye on Saturday night.

1. QB Patrick Towles — The junior had his best game of the season last week in the win against Missouri, going 22 of 27 for 249 yards and two scores. This is just the sort of game to further build his confidence — and maybe get backup Drew Barker some work, too. Last season, against FCS Tennessee-Martin, Towles threw for 377 yards and two scores (one passing, one rushing). However, it’s worth pointing out that the Colonels are a nationally ranked FCS squad, and Towles will still need to be on his game to put up good numbers.

2. RB Mikel Horton — Jojo Kemp was the standout last week in the Kentucky backfield with 13 carries and 66 yards in the final two quarters. Stanley Williams leads the team in rushing with 343 yards — including a pair of 100-yard rushing games. But since Kemp is the new starter and Williams is dealing with personal issues, I get the feeling Horton will get a chance to get his season going in earnest on Saturday. He’s the power back in this system, and there figures to be plenty of carries to go around. Don’t be surprised if the coaching staff decides to feature him a little more this time out.

3. DE Denzil Ware — The freshman continues to make plays for the Wildcats, coming up with five tackles and a sack against Missouri last week. Ware has 15 tackles, including three for loss, in 2015. He’s one of eight Kentucky players with sacks this season, and Ware and his mates on the defensive line will have lots of chances to pass rush against Colonels redshirt junior QB Bennie Coney.

4. DT Cory Johnson — While Ware got it done from the edge last week, Johnson did so in the middle. The senior had a career-high 11 tackles and got in on a sack in last week’s game. The 300-pound tackle drew high praise from the coaching staff, and he’ll look to keep the Eastern Kentucky ground game in check and create space for pass-rushing ends and linebackers on passing downs.

5. RB Ethan Thomas — With Kentucky transfer Dy’Shawn Mobley’s status up in the air with a hamstring injury, the true freshman Thomas will feature prominently for Eastern Kentucky this week. He had 59 yards and a pair of touchdown runs last week in a 51-13 win over Austin Peay. Florida transfer Adam Lane may also figure for the Colonels as he’s coming off 58 yards and a touchdown last week as well.