The season opener is no cupcake. For the Cats to start 1-0 against a tricky Toledo team, these key players need to control the game from the first snap to the last.
The long wait is over. Kentucky football kicks off its 2025 season this Saturday against the Toledo Rockets, and this is far from a guaranteed win. To start the season on the right foot and build some much-needed momentum, the Wildcats will need dominant performances from key spots on the field. Here are the 5 players and groups who absolutely must show up and dominate in Week 1.
Seth McGowan, Running Back
Mark Stoops wants to win by controlling the clock and dominating the line of scrimmage. That philosophy lives and dies with the run game. New Mexico State transfer Seth McGowan has the talent and experience to be a true workhorse back. Against Toledo, he needs to be decisive, powerful, and consistent. If McGowan can grind out tough yards and break off a few chunk plays, it will take immense pressure off a new quarterback and allow the Cats to dictate the tempo of the game.
Hardley Gilmore IV, Wide Receiver
The wide receiver room is in flux, save for the established Jamori Maclin. Opposing defenses know Maclin is the top threat and will likely shade their coverage in his direction all day. This is where Hardley Gilmore IV comes in. The talented youngster, who briefly transferred to Nebraska before returning home, has a massive opportunity. If he can step up and become a reliable second option, it will open up the entire offense. A big game from Gilmore would signal that this receiving corps has the depth to be dangerous.
The Entire Offensive Line
Let’s not single anyone out here—all of them need to be great. The "Big Blue Wall" of old has crumbled in recent years, and for Kentucky to have any success, that has to change now. Whether it’s Shiyazh Pete and Alex Wollschlaeger at tackle, Joshua Braun and Jalen Farmer at guard, or Jager Burton at center, this unit has to play as a cohesive, nasty, and disciplined group. They are facing a live-fire audition to find the best five. If they can’t protect the quarterback or open holes for McGowan, it will be a very long afternoon.
JQ Hardaway, Cornerback
Kentucky’s defense was leaky against both the run and the pass last year. That improvement starts on the back end with the veterans. Redshirt senior JQ Hardaway has the size and experience to be a lockdown corner in the SEC. On Saturday, he needs to be exactly that. A confident, playmaking performance from Hardaway would set the tone for the entire secondary and help erase the memory of last year's defensive struggles.
David Gusta, Defensive Tackle
If you want to stop a team like Toledo, you have to win in the trenches. The quickest way for Kentucky to find itself in a dogfight is to let the Rockets establish their ground game. Defensive tackle David Gusta will be the linchpin of the run defense. He must clog running lanes, demand double teams, and disrupt things in the backfield. A dominant game from Gusta makes life easier for the linebackers and forces Toledo into obvious passing situations, which is a win for the defense.
It is football time in the Bluegrass once again, stay with WBN all fall long.
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