Bush Hamdan’s return as Kentucky’s offensive coordinator was meant to bring stability; he’s the first OC to return for a second consecutive year since 2020. But after a 2024 season where the offense couldn't score more than 21 points against any Power 5 opponent, that stability came with a healthy dose of skepticism from the fan base.
It took only one quarter of the 2025 season for that skepticism to turn into full-blown outrage.
A crisis of confidence
After a fantastic goal-line stand by the defense gave the offense the ball back inside its own 5-yard line, the momentum was squarely with the Wildcats. It was a chance for the offense to build on the defense's energy.
Instead, Offensive Coordinator Bush Hamdan made an inexplicable call: a pull zone read from the shadow of his own goalpost. Surprise, it did not work.
Toledo forces a safety after failing to score near the goal line! pic.twitter.com/YoWlcOGz8z
— College Football Zone (@CollegeFBonX) August 30, 2025
The play was a disaster. A blitzing corner stormed into the backfield untouched. Quarterback Zach Calzada made the wrong read, expecting the defender to follow the running back, but he didn't. Calzada was wrapped up in the end zone for a safety, completely erasing the momentum from the defensive stop and handing two points and the ball back to Toledo.
Big Blue Nation erupts online
The reaction from Big Blue Nation was swift, brutal, and unified. Fans who were promised a reformed offense saw the same questionable decision-making that plagued the team last year.
The sentiment online was clear—fans are already out on Bush Hamdan 2.0.
One fan on X lamented, "You could bring in all the transfers you want but we still have Bush Hamdan. Stoops demise."
Another questioned the logic of the call itself: "Bush Hamdan really just called a read option from our own end zone."
The play also seemed to contradict promises made in the offseason, as noted by another user: "Bush Hamdan hasn’t learned from last season. Promised less QB options. Has ran multiple in the first half, including one for a safety."
The frustration was palpable across the platform, with others calling the play-calling "questionable" and Hamdan an "idiot." After just fifteen minutes of football, it appears the patience for this version of the Kentucky offense has already run out.
Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time, he spends time with his family, and watching Premier League soccer. #UpTheAlbion