A 24-16 victory over Toledo gets the season started at 1-0, but it raised some serious red flags. Several key positions underperformed dramatically, and if those issues aren't corrected, they will be brutally exposed against Ole Miss next week. Here are three spots where the Wildcats are officially on notice.
The quarterback question
Is it too soon to talk about a potential shakeup at QB1? For a 7th-year senior, Zach Calzada’s performance was deeply concerning. He finished just 10-of-23 for 85 yards with one interception and made the wrong read on a play that resulted in a safety.
His timing was consistently off, and he missed several open receivers on crucial downs. With redshirt freshman Cutter Boley waiting in the wings, Calzada’s leash has to be getting shorter. He must have a bounce-back performance against Ole Miss, or the calls for a change will become deafening.
The punt return problem
Special teams can win or lose you close games, and the punt return unit was a liability on Saturday. Ty Bryant’s final stat line reads 2 returns for -3 yards, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. He muffed one punt—a cardinal sin that gives the opponent free momentum—and misjudged another, allowing it to roll for an extra 20 yards of field position.
Punt returning is about securing the football first and foremost. Bryant, while a key starter on defense, proved to be unreliable in that role. It’s time to give the job back to a more sure-handed and explosive Ja’Mori Maclin.
A disappearing act at wide receiver
Speaking of Maclin, here were the wide receivers? In a game where the tight ends accounted for 87% of the receiving yardage, the entire wide receiver corps was a non-factor. The four primary wideouts on the depth chart—Ja'Mori Maclin, Fred Farrier II, Hardley Gilmore IV, and J.J. Hester—combined for a shocking 4 catches for just 12 yards.
A passing offense cannot function with that level of production from the outside. While some blame falls on the quarterback, the receivers failed to create separation or make an impact. This performance should open the door for others on the depth chart to get a serious look, because the current rotation isn't getting the job done.
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