If you were looking for a clean, explosive start to the 2025 Kentucky football season, the first half against Toledo was about as enjoyable as a trip to the DMV. The Wildcats lead 10-2 at the break, but the scoreboard doesn't tell the story of a sloppy, frustrating half defined by offensive miscues and a dominant defensive effort.
As Mark Stoops put it in his halftime interview, "We gotta settle down, we are our own worst enemy... We are making some mistakes."
First Half report
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) August 30, 2025
Kentucky Defense: Better
Kentucky Offense: Same
Could have been worse but a long way to go
The good: A suffocating defensive performance
The lone bright spot for Kentucky has been a defense that looks to be in mid-season form. As Stoops noted, the "Defense is playing well," which is an understatement.
The unit has been completely suffocating, holding Toledo to a meager 95 total yards in the first half. They forced a crucial interception by JQ Hardaway and stuffed the Rockets on two separate fourth-down conversion attempts. The defensive line has lived in the backfield, and linebacker Alex Afari Jr. leads the team with 8 tackles.
The ugly: Offense can't get out of Its own way
While the defense has excelled, the offense has been a mess of turnovers, questionable play-calling, and penalties. The Wildcats have turned the ball over three times, each one killing potential momentum.
- An early drive was stalled when a pass intended for Troy Stellato was picked off.
- After a great defensive stand, a bizarre zone-read play call in their own end zone resulted in a safety.
- Tight end Willie Rodriguez had a huge 23-yard catch-and-run wiped out when he fumbled the ball away.
The issues started on the opening possession. A 30+ yard completion to J.J. Hester was overturned after a review, a review that likely would have been prevented if the offense had played with the tempo it promised in the preseason.
The only offensive points came from a 1-yard quarterback sneak by Zach Calzada and a 45-yard field goal from Jacob Kauwe.
Key halftime stats
- Total Yards: Kentucky 93, Toledo 95
- Turnovers: Kentucky 3 (1 INT, 2 Fumbles), Toledo 1 (1 INT)
- Passing: Zach Calzada (UK) is 6/12 for 43 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT. Tucker Gleason (TOL) is 7/14 for 69 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT.
- Rushing Leader: Seth McGowan (UK) leads all rushers with 7 carries for 28 yards.
- Leading Tackler: Alex Afari Jr. (UK) with 8 total tackles.
Toledo will receive the ball to start the third quarter. The Kentucky offense will need to heed their coach's words and "settle down" if they hope to turn this ugly slugfest into a comfortable season-opening win.
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