Stock up: 3 Wildcats who earned more playing time

While Kentucky’s 24-16 win over Toledo was anything but a masterpiece, a few individual performances shined through the otherwise lackluster showing. In a game where the team struggled for rhythm, these players made a strong case not just for more snaps, but for an expanded and more critical role as the Wildcats head into SEC play.

Dante Dowdell: Earned the lead back role

Dante Dowdell entered the game listed as a co-starter, but he left it looking like the clear lead back. While the offense was stagnant for most of the day, his 79-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter was the single most important play of the game. It was a flash of the game-breaking ability this offense desperately needs. In a unit struggling to sustain drives, the game plan must now feature more of the one player who proved he can score from anywhere on the field. Dowdell didn't just earn more snaps; he earned the right to be the primary ball carrier.

Alex Afari Jr.: Confirmed his status as the defensive MVP

For an established starter like Alex Afari Jr., it’s not about getting more playing time—it's about confirming his indispensability. He did that and more on Saturday. Afari was the best player on the field, leading the team with a massive 13 tackles (9 solo), 1 tackle for loss, and 2 pass breakups. This performance cemented his status as the true anchor and MVP of the Kentucky defense. He is the player who must be on the field in every critical situation and the leader that side of the ball is built around.

The tight ends: Deserve a bigger share of the offense

Like Afari, the starting tight ends can't get many more snaps. What they have earned is more targets. In a passing attack that produced only 85 total yards, Josh Kattus and Willie Rodriguez were the only reliable options, combining for 74 of those yards. They accounted for a staggering 87% of the team's receiving yardage. The offensive game plan going forward must reflect this reality. Until the wide receivers prove to be consistent threats, the tight ends are the most effective weapons in the passing game and deserve a much larger share of the targets.

Jordan Owens is a contributor to Wildcat Blue Nation and a lifelong UK fanatic who has watched every UK game since 1995. Jordan is no stranger to college athletics as a former college athlete. Jordan brings a unique mix of fandom and insight that helps make WBN the go-to source for all of your Kentucky news.