Toledo a Team Kentucky Has to Beat

Vicky Graff Photo

Kentucky coach Mark Stoops doesn’t think anything will come easy for Kentucky in its season opener Saturday at Kroger Field.

The Wildcats face Mid-American Conference favorite Toledo, which defeated Mississippi State and Pittsburgh and finished 8-5 last season. Kentucky rallied and defeated Toledo 38-24 in the season opener for both teams in 2019.

“They are a team you have to beat,” Stoops said earlier this week. “They will not beat themselves. They are very sound, they are very well-coached and we are excited about that opportunity … we have to go play some good football.  If we want to change the narrative, then we have to play well. Our performance will dictate what is said about us, and it’s time to tee it up and go play.”

The Wildcats are coming off a disappointing 4-8 season and revamped the roster with experienced transfers, most of which are on the offensive side of the ball. The Wildcats’ offense will feature a new quarterback — Zack Calzada — and a pair of transfer running backs in Seth McGowan and Dante Dowdell.

While the Rockets are capable of making explosive plays, Stoops wants his team to be consistent from start to finish in the opener.

“Everybody’s excited for game one, and we’re tired of playing against each other,” Stoops said. “But Game 1, what I try to head off, and it’s through experience. We’ve talked about games we’ve had here where we exploded in the first half and didn’t finish, and guys let their emotions get out of control, and things of that nature. So those are all things that I will touch on with them.

“Handling the environment, handling the situation and making sure we’re thoroughly prepared throughout this week, but also being consistent throughout the game.”

Stoops added that handling adversity will also be a key for the Wildcats.

“There’s going to be adversity in every game,” he said. “How are we going to respond to that? Again, trying to be as consistent as we can for four quarters.”

The Wildcats have won five straight home openers and have compiled a 19-1 record in their past 20 non-conference games. Stoops said the opener provides a chance for his team to make an early impression.

“Here’s a team (Toledo) that a lot of people are saying has the chance to be in the (college football) playoff, the non-power four (conference) representative, and getting top 25 votes, and a very good team,” he said.

“We have an opportunity to showcase what we’ve been working on and I think my answer to that each and every week, it’s really about us and how we play, and it’s about our performance. I want to go see us play. I know the players do, but we have to take care of business each and every day as well.”

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Gametracker: Toledo at Kentucky, 12:45 p.m., Saturday. TV/Radio: SEC Network, UK Radio Network. Postgame coverage: www.kentuckytoday.com