Kentucky ground game fuels 24-16 opening win over Toledo
LEXINGTON – August 30, 2025 – Brendon D. Miller
It wasn’t pretty at times, but the CATS were able to outlast Toledo to get the season opening win behind a big effort on the ground and stingy defense on Saturday at Kroger Field.
Transfer running back Dante Dowdell rushed for 129 yards and a touchdown and Seth McGowan added 78 yards as the CATS rushed for 252 yards on the day. Dowdell’s 79-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter gave the Wildcats the boost they needed to finally overcome the Rockets.
Seventh year Quarterback Zach Calzada and the UK air attack had their moments, but stuggled to move the ball at times. Calzada connected on 10 of 23 through the air for 85 yards. Josh Kattus led the way in the receiving corps at the senior tight end caught a career-high three passes for 43 yards.
The defense limited Toledo for most of the afternoon. The Rocket could only muster just 59 yards on the ground, as Senior linebacker Alex Afari stood out and led the defense with a career-high 13 tackles, including a sack and two tackles for loss. Davern Rayner and Ty Bryant each had six tackles and linebacker Steven Soles sacked Toledo quarterback Tucker Gleason twice on the afternoon.
“I don’t think (the players) are satisfied, but we will take the victory at any time,” head coach Mark Stoops said. “I thought we did some good things early in the game in particular. Defense was playing very good.”
“Offensively, I felt like we were going to get in a rhythm, and we hurt ourselves. There are things that we did to shoot ourselves in the foot that we have to get corrected, but we overcame those bad plays and won the game.”
Kentucky did what they needed to do and got the win against the MAC favorite Rockets, but SEC play looms starting next week.
FIRST HALF
Kentucky received the opening kickoff and picked up a first down as Calzada connected with Ja’Mori Maclin for an 11-yard completion. The CATS were about to enter the red zone as Calzada hit JJ Hester down the Toledo sideline, but after review the completion was overruled and the CATS had to punt.
Toledo began its initial possession on its own 10 yard line and on the second play JQ Hardaway intercepted a Gleason pass setting the CATS up at the Rocket 29. The CATS cashed in the turnover as Calzada was able to punch it in from the one for the score. Jacob Kauwe added the point after and Kentucky led 7-0 with 6:27 remaining in the first quarter.
Toledo threatened after Nasir Bowles picked off a Calzada pass setting Toledo up at the UK 46. The Rockets drove inside the five yard line, by on but on fourth and two, Afari stopped Gleason short of a first down and the CATS took over at their own three with 13:13 left in the half.
On the first play of the possession, Calzada was sacked in the end zone for a safety, putting Toledo on the board with the CATS leadings 7-2. After exchanging possession, the CATS were able to get a 45-yard field goal from Kauwe, pushing the lead to 10-2, which was the score at the half.
SECOND HALF
Toledo received the second half kickoff, but the UK defense was again strong forcing a three-and-out. Neither team could muster much consistent offense in the third quarter with both defenses remaining stout and the quarter ending with UK still in the lead lead 10-2.
On the sixth play of the fourth quarter, UK’s Seth McGowan rushed for a six-yard touchdown to cap a 12-play, 76-yard drive. Kauwe added the extra point and UK led 17-2 with 12:30 left in the game.
Toledo answered with its first scoring drive of the game. The Rockets went 69 yards in seven plays, capped by a nine-yard touchdown run from Gleason. Dylan Cunanan added the point after and UK’s lead was cut to 17-9 with 9:38 to play.
On the first play of the next drive, Dowdell broke loose on the right and scampered for his 79 yards for a touchdown. Kauwe added the PAT and Kentucky led 24-9 with 9:22 remaining.
Toledo was able to add a late touchdown, but Kentucky recovered an onside kick and ran out the clock to preserve the victory.
NOTES
UK won their fifth consecutive season opener, with three of the last four victories against teams from the Mid-American Conference. Kentucky had previously opened the 2019 season with a 38-24 win over the Rockets in the first meeting between the two teams. UK, who struggled with penalties last season, had three for just 30 yards in the opener. The UK defense had two fourth-down stops, including a goal-line stand at the 4-yard line in the first half.
- General Team Notes:
- The Wildcats have won 20 of their last 21 nonconference games in the regular season.
- Kentucky has won 23 of its last 26 nonconference games.
- UK had only three penalties in this game, fewest in a season opener since 2018.
- Offensive Team Notes:
- Kentucky’s 220 yards rushing are its most in a season opener since 2018 (299 vs. Central Michigan).
- Kentucky had two players rush for at least 75 yards in the season opener for the first time since 2018 vs. Central Michigan (Benny Snell and A.J. Rose).
- This was the first time UK had three different players with a rushing TD in the season opener since 2014.
- The UK offensive line allowed no sacks and the Wildcats had only 11 yards of losses from the line of scrimmage.
- UK converted 8 of 15 (53.3 percent) on third downs.
- The Wildcats went 2-of-2 in the red zone.
- Defensive Team Notes:
- Kentucky has held the opponent to 16 points or less in five consecutive season openers, first time since 2007-11.
- The Wildcats held the Rockets to 59 net rushing yards.
- Kentucky has held 13 of its last 27 opponents – 48.1 percent – to less than 100 yards rushing, dating back to the final game of 2022.
- Kentucky has held its opponents to under 100 yards rushing in each of its last three straight season openers.
- Kentucky has held 13 of its last 27 opponents – 48.1 percent – to less than 100 yards rushing, dating back to the final game of 2022.
- Kentucky improved its streak to 10 straight games forcing a turnover with JQ Hardaway’s interception in the first quarter.
- Kentucky held Toledo to 1-of-4 on fourth-down conversions.
UP NEXT
Kentucky returns to action next Saturday, hosting Ole Miss in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams. Kickoff is set for 3:30 ET and the game can be seen on ABC.