Cats Turn Back The Rockets
Heading into Saturday afternoon’s season opener, pretty much the entire nation had Kentucky on “upset alert” against Toledo. Even Kirk Herbstreit on ESPN Gameday had the Rockets as his “Super Dog” for the day. After all the Cats were coming off a 4-8 season, while Toledo is a trendy choice for the Group of Five playoff berth. However, while it wasn’t pretty, the Cats pulled out the win. Let’s break it down as Kentucky Thwarts Toledo’s Upset Bid 24-16.
Too Many Mistakes
Through most of the first half, the Wildcats and Rockets looked like teams playing their first game. UK’s defense got the first big play of the day. JQ Hardaway picked off Tucker Gleason at the Wildcat 29 yard line, and Mark Stoops’ club was in business. Seven plays later, Zach Calzada took it in from a yard out, and it was 7-0 Kentucky.
After holding the Rockets once again, Calzada was picked off by Nasir Bowers at the UK 46. Toledo marched down the field to the Wildcat four. However, on fourth down, Alex Afari Jr. stopped Gleason, and Kentucky got the ball back on their own three.
In that situation, the one thing that can’t happen did happen as Calzada was sacked in the end zone for a safety, and we had a baseball score of 7-2. From there, both teams traded fumbles before Kentucky got on the board just before the half. A 45-yard field goal from Jacob Kauwe put Kentucky up eight. A close game as many thought, and we had a half to go to see if Kentucky thwarts Toledo’s upset bid.
A Little Breathing Room
The second half started with five straight punts, three by Toledo and two from Kentucky. Finally, the Cats got back into the end zone, putting together their best drive of the day. Holding the ball for over six minutes, going 62 yards in 12 plays. The last six came on a run by Seth McGowan, and the Cats were up 15.
However, no faster than Lee Corso can say “not so fast, my friends,” Toledo came back. Aided by a roughing the passer penalty, Gleason took it nine yards for the score. The Rockets succeeded in their two-point attempt. Unfortunately for them, a penalty brought it back. The extra point made it 17-9.
It took Kentucky one play to get that score back. A 79-yard scamper by Dante Dowdell, the longest of his career, made it 24-9 with a little over nine minutes to play. At that point, it seemed like Kentucky was sitting pretty. If you’ve been a UK fan for any time, you know that’s never the case.
One Last Chance
Aiden Laros, who had a great day punting, pinned Toledo back to their own five-yard line. Showing no fear, the Rockets marched 95 yards in seven plays, taking a little over four minutes. The last 20 came on a Gleason to Junior Vandeross III pass, and it was 24-16.
Everyone knew what was coming next, and Kendrick Law recovered the onside kick. A seven-yard run by McGowan on third and four iced the game for UK. From there, Calzada took a knee, and Kentucky thwarts Toledo’s Upset Bid 24-16.
Looking Ahead
With the win, Kentucky starts the year 1-0 for the fifth straight year. The Wildcats stay at home next week when they host Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss Rebels. The Cats are going for two in a row after upsetting the Rebels down in Oxford last year.
As for the Rockets, they drop to 0-1 and return home to face Western Kentucky under the lights at Glass Bowl Stadium.
Final Thoughts
The first game of Stoops’ 13th Kentucky squad looked a lot like previous years. The defense played well while the offense struggled, especially with throwing the ball. Calzada finished 10-23 for 83 yards and an interception. In addition, wide receiver production was almost non-existent. Tight ends Josh Kattus and Willie Rodriguez hauled in five of the 10 completions.
However, if you are looking for positives, the running game was strong. Led by Dowdell’s 129 yards and McGowan’s 78 UK ran for 220 on the day.
On the other side of the ball, Afari had a monster game with 13 tackles, two for a loss, and a sack. In addition, Steven Soles, Jr. had two sacks and a forced fumble. Those were both guys we said to keep an eye on this year.
Kentucky thwarts Toledo’s upset bid 24-16 as the Cats knock off the preseason MAC favorite. Furthermore, Stoops remains undefeated against the MAC and has now won 16 straight against Group of Five teams.
Main Image: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
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