Kentucky Football is 1-0, but Mark Stoops says the real work starts now after an 'ugly' win over Toledo.
When Mark Stoops took the podium after the Kentucky Wildcats’ 24-16 season-opening victory, the mood was more relief than celebration. He offered a blunt dose of reality, admitting that despite the win, the team had “many things to improve on.” A day later, not much has changed in the coach's mind at his weekly press conference.
While he praised his defense for making key plays when it mattered most, he acknowledged the sloppy moments that kept the game uncomfortably close. Stoops noted the team “overcame those bad plays and won the football game,” and was quick to express his gratitude for starting the season on the right foot.
“Very grateful to get the victory, great to be sitting here 1-0,” Stoops said today. But he didn’t linger on the positive outcome, immediately pivoting to the work that lies ahead. “We will take the victory at any time,” he added. “Our players are appreciative to be 1 and 0.”
In short, the Wildcats escaped Week 1 with a hard-fought win over a tough Toledo team that is receiving Top-25 votes, but the head coach’s message was clear: this performance won’t be good enough moving forward.
O-line dominance paves the way
One clear bright spot was Kentucky’s rushing attack, which consistently moved the chains and controlled the clock. Stoops gave full credit to the offensive line and backs for grinding out tough yards. The Wildcats piled up 220 rushing yards on the day, a performance Stoops called “good” and “a big improvement.”
The offensive line got a lot of push all day long. He pointed out that the tackles “did some good things” in opening up lanes for running backs Dante Dowdell and Seth McGowan, who combined for two of the three team's only touchdowns.
This strong offensive line performance, which included allowing zero sacks, was a welcome contrast to the two turnovers that plagued the offense. Stoops emphasized that if the Wildcats can continue to win the battle in the trenches, it will make life much easier on quarterback Zach Calzada and the rest of the offense.
Stoops stands firm on Calzada amidst calls for Boley
The quarterback situation quickly became the headline topic postgame. After a rough debut that saw him go 10-for-23 with one interception and a safety, chants for Cutter Boley could be heard from the stands and online.
Stoops, however, stood firm by his veteran starter. He stated it would have been “premature to pull the plug right there” on Calzada after just one game. While Stoops has lauded the four-star recruit Boley as “the future of the program,” he made it clear that Calzada will remain QB1 for now.
“He cares, he wants to play well,” Stoops said of Calzada. “Everybody can improve and hopefully he will make a big jump and just settle in and play some ball.”
Calzada will get another chance to find his rhythm. Stoops is betting on the veteran's experience to help him bounce back, while also reassuring fans that Cutter Boley’s immense promise remains a core part of the program's long-term plan.
Freshman QB Cutter Boley has been called “the future of the program,” but Stoops said Zach Calzada is still his Week 2 starter.
Wilcox suspension looms over rushing attack
Stoops also addressed the unexpected absence of running back Jamarion Wilcox. He confirmed that Wilcox status “has not changed" due to a violation of team rules.
The status of the 2024 rushing leader remains unchanged for the foreseeable future, and he will likely miss the next game at the least. With Wilcox sidelined, the responsibility of carrying the rushing load falls squarely on the shoulders of Dowdell and McGowan.
Looking ahead: A step in the right direction
Despite the miscues, Stoops was insistent that a win is a valuable building block, especially against a quality opponent. “We beat a very good team” he reminded everyone.
But his final message left no room for complacency.
“It’s one game. It’s a step in the right direction and we have to get back to work,” Stoops concluded, emphasizing the need for immediate improvements before Week 2. Kentucky Football is 1-0, but the wolves are still at the door.
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. Hebrews 11:1 . #UpTheAlbion