Alyssa Lang is Anxious to See Zach Calzada Against Ole Miss

Alyssa Lang (ESPN Images)

Seeing “ugly football” in the season-opening game from Kentucky did not surprise SEC Network sideline reporter Alyssa Lange because she also saw it in many other games across the country.

“My main takeaway was how good the Kentucky defense looked right off the bat,” said Lange.

The defense did hold Toledo without a touchdown for three quarters in the 24-16 win before Toledo got two scores and most of its yards in the final period. Offensively, Lange knows UK has some work to do.

“I think you wanted the offensive line to body Toledo more and the play of (quarterback) Zach Calzada (10 of 23 passing for 85 yards with one interception) left Cat fans worried. There is still plenty of football left but I hope they tune it because week two with Ole Miss is not going to be easy after the big opening win they had.”

It was a disappointing debut for Calzada compared to what transfer quarterbacks Brock Vandagriff (12 of 18 passing for 169 yards and three touchdowns with one interception), Devin Leary (18 of 31 passing for 241 yards and one score) and Will Levis (18 of 26 passes for 367 yards and four touchdowns with one interception).

“I think a lot of it was more between the ears of Zach himself,” Lange said. “His processing will get better with time but this is his seventh year of college football and you would hope that would already look better if that is the issue.

“I talked to him Friday and he is a guy who wants to make the big play and big throw. You saw him attempting to do that with (receiver Kendrick) Law but they did not hit the way they wanted. Zach wants to make the big play but he is willing to put his body on the line to advance the ball or score but also knows he needs to slow down and make smart plays. He knows he needs to take the check down versus always going for the big bomb.

“I am really curious to see what he will look like in this next game. He wanted back in the Southeastern Conference to prove he could be a winner. But you could tell there were some jitters and he’s still trying to get on the same page with everybody and you wonder what he will look like making progressions the next few weeks and not trying to force things.”

What about playing backup quarterback Cutter Boley some?

“From what it sounded like Cutter had a lot of good reps in fall camp. I know they are excited about Cutter. I asked (offensive coordinator) Bush Hamdan specifically how the offense would change if Cutter came in and he said it would not change at all and that is a good sign if Kentucky gets to the point it wants to give a different look by using both guys,” Lange said.

“I do believe if Mark Stoops did not think Zach Calzada did not give Kentucky the best chance at a total reset this year after going 4-8 in 2024 that he would not be out there. Mark wants to win. I trust they see in practice that Zach gives them the best chance to win. He has experience. He beat Alabama when Nick Saban was coaching there when he was at Texas A&M.

“I can see the fire in Mark Stoops’ eyes. I am not saying Kentucky will win the SEC championship or make the playoffs, but he is pissed about last year and ready to turn the page and get back to winning.”

Lange said she clearly sensed a “bought in” Kentucky team and saw the “physicality and relentless aggression” Stoops wants in the offensive and defensive lines.

“I can’t speak to last year and if the team was bought in but this year’s team is,” she said.

She saw Arkansas transfer Josh Braun, an offensive guard, give a passionate speed to the UK offense on the sideline in the second quarter when the offense had no rhythm.

“He told them, ‘The fans know it, You know it. Let’s go.’ He was furious and voiced it,” Lange said. “I have been around a lot of lackadaisical teams. This team was not like that and that’s a good sign going forward.”