Wildcat Blue Nation
Fansided

A hot take on the defense: Is Kentucky's secondary a major liability?

The box score looks good, but a deeper look at the Toledo game reveals potential holes in Kentucky's secondary that a better offensive line could exploit.
ByDrew Holbrook|
Kentucky’s Steven Soles Jr. tore the ball from Toledo’s Tucker Gleason hands Saturday afternoon at Kroger Field. August 30, 2025
Kentucky’s Steven Soles Jr. tore the ball from Toledo’s Tucker Gleason hands Saturday afternoon at Kroger Field. August 30, 2025 | Scott Utterback/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

On the surface, Kentucky’s defense looked vastly improved in its 2025 debut. Holding any opponent to 16 points and just 59 rushing yards is a recipe for success. But a closer look at the film reveals a potentially worrying truth: the dominant performance of the defensive front may have masked some serious holes in the secondary.

Pressure masked the problem

Let's be clear: the defensive line and pass rush were phenomenal. While the Cats only registered 3 sacks, they lived in the Toledo backfield all afternoon. Quarterback Tucker Gleason was constantly under duress, forced to move, throw the ball away, or take a hit.

This constant pressure, however, served as a band-aid for the secondary. On plays where Gleason had even a moment to stand and deliver, his receivers were finding open space. The holes were there; the defensive line just didn't allow enough time for them to be exploited.

A glimpse of vulnerability

When he was kept clean, Gleason had success, finishing with a respectable 270 passing yards on 23 completions. That's an average of 11.7 yards per completion, a number that indicates Toledo was able to generate chunk plays through the air when given the opportunity. This suggests that an offensive line capable of protecting its quarterback—like the one Ole Miss will field next week—could have significant success against Kentucky's defensive backs.

While the run defense was a massive positive, it’s fair to question the quality of a MAC offensive line. The dominance at the point of attack may have been a mirage.

The real test for this defense is coming. Lane Kiffin and his high-powered Ole Miss offense will provide a much clearer picture of whether this defense is truly elite or if the Toledo game was just a preview of vulnerabilities to come. Can Kentucky continue to "change the narrative"?

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

Home/Kentucky football