The wait is almost over. Kentucky Football soon kicks off the new college football season on Saturday at Kroger Field. Mark Stoops and his new-look Wildcats welcome the Toledo Rockets, a MAC powerhouse that won both of its games against Power 4 opponents last season, including one road SEC win at Mississippi State. Can Jason […]
The wait is almost over. Kentucky Football soon kicks off the new college football season on Saturday at Kroger Field. Mark Stoops and his new-look Wildcats welcome the Toledo Rockets, a MAC powerhouse that won both of its games against Power 4 opponents last season, including one road SEC win at Mississippi State. Can Jason Candle’s experienced Rockets stun another P4 team? Toledo is no cupcake for Kentucky in this spot, and the Wildcats need a statement win in the opener to get some excitement after a couple of disappointing seasons. The game kicks off at 12:45 p.m. on Saturday. Until then, we’ll get you ready for it with a day-before preview, sponsored by Rhoback.
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Pregame Storylines
- Kentucky turns to veteran QB Calzada: In his seventh year of college football, Zach Calzada has earned the Week 1 starting job over redshirt freshman Cutter Boley, bringing 32 career starts (including a memorable upset of No. 1 Alabama at Texas A&M) and leadership that the new-look Wildcats need. His arm and mobility give Kentucky a chance to avoid last year’s offensive problems at UK, as long as the new offensive line gives him a chance.
- Big Blue Wall faces its first test: Kentucky’s revamped O-line drew comparisons to the old Big Blue Walls of the past, at least from offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan. They’ll have their first opportunity to prove it against Toledo with mismatches across the board. Kentucky should dominate the trenches if the line really improved.
- Toledo not intimidated: As noted in our intro, Toledo went into Starkville, Mississippi, and beat the Mississippi State Bulldogs last season, winning 41-17. Then, Toledo ended 2024 by beating Pitt in the Quick Lane Bowl. The Rockets will travel with confidence.
- Toledo tradition: Toledo hasn’t had a losing season since Rich Brooks coached at Kentucky. Only Alabama has a longer streak of seasons with a .500 or better record. Crazy.
- Candle chasing history: Toledo’s head coach needs one more win to set a new all-time mark at the school. He’d love to do that with another SEC win, but Mark Stoops has his own legacy to defend as he aims to turn around the program he built in Lexington.
- Motivated: Mark Stoops.
How To Watch/Listen to Kentucky vs Toledo
- Kickoff: 12:45 ET
- TV: SEC Network (Taylor Zarzour, Matt Stinchcomb, Alyssa Lang)
- Local Radio: UK Sports Network (Tom Leach, Jeff Piecoro, Dick Gabriel)
- AM: 840 WHAS, 630 WLAP
- FM: 98.1 WBUL
- Online: iHeart Radio
- Sirius XM: 106 or 190 (UK)
Depth Charts
KENTUCKY
TOLEDO
Toledo does not release updated depth charts. Players are listed alphabetically by position.
Latest Injury News
Both sides enter Saturday’s game healthy, with all projected starters to be available Week 1.
Last Meeting / All-Time Series
Kentucky and Toledo have one prior meeting, and it wasn’t too long ago. Stoops’ Wildcats hosted Candle’s Rockets in the 2019 season opener at Kroger Field, the year after Kentucky’s 10-3 season. Stoops admitted earlier this week that he had high expectations of that 2019 team, only to trail Toledo 7-0 and then 14-7 in the first half in Lexington. It wasn’t until midway through the third quarter that Kentucky took its first lead before pulling away by two touchdowns in the fourth, winning 38-24 to take a 1-0 lead in the all-time series.
The week after Kentucky’s 2019 win over Toledo, Terry Wilson suffered a season-ending injury in Week 2, which paved the way for Lynn Bowden to try his hand—or in his case, legs—at quarterback a couple of weeks later. It worked.
2025 Team Schedules/Results
Kentucky (0-0, 0-0)
- vs. Toledo (Home)
- vs. (21) Ole Miss (Home)
- vs. Eastern Michigan (Home)
- at (13) South Carolina (Away)
- at (5) Georgia (Away)
- vs. (1) Texas (Home)
- vs. (24) Tennessee (Home)
- at Auburn (Away)
- vs. (15) Florida (Home)
- vs. Tennessee Tech (Home)
- at Vanderbilt (Away)
- at Louisville (Away)
Toledo (0-0, 0-0)
- at Kentucky (Away)
- vs. Western Kentucky (Home)
- vs. Morgan State (Home)
- at Western Michigan (Away)
- vs. Akron (Home)
- at Bowling Green (Away)
- vs. Kent State (Home)
- at Washington State (Away)
- vs. Northern Illinois (Home)
- at Miami (OH) (Away)
- vs. Ball State (Home)
- at Central Michigan (Away)
Join The Discussion over at KSBoard
Consider joining the conversation on KSBoard if you want to interact with the KSR crew during the game. A live discussion can be found in the game thread, plus several other topics and conversations about the Wildcats and more.
Point Spread
Point Spread: Kentucky -10
Over/Under: 48.5
Moneyline: UK -355 / TOLEDO +280
Coaches’ Comments
Mark Stoops, Kentucky
Jason Candle, Toledo
Friday Link Dump
- KSR Staff Predictions: Kentucky vs. Toledo
- Bio Blast: Toledo Rockets
- Improved run defense is top goal for Kentucky in 2025
- Zach Calzada Doesn’t Need to be Superman for Kentucky
- Expect Kentucky to use defensive depth against Toledo
- Is this the year Kentucky finally throws it to the tight ends?
- Kentucky Trying to Avoid Turnover Bug, Sloppy Start
- Kentucky treating Toledo as a faceless opponent
- Chip Trayanum will not be first Toledo tailback returning to play Kentucky
- Toledo boasts one of the best secondaries in the Group of Five
- 11 Personnel E325: Previewing Kentucky vs. Toledo
Weather Report
Football fans couldn’t ask for better weather for the home opener in Lexington. According to the current forecast, the temperature is expected to be around 75 degrees at kickoff, with clear skies and sunshine. The early-morning tailgaters will need a hoodie, but otherwise, a great weather day is ahead for the Cats vs. the Rockets.
Listen to the KSR Pregame Show
Start your Saturday by tuning into the KSR Pregame Show at 8:30 a.m. Saturday morning, live from KSBar & Grille. Even better, be at KSBar & Grille when the doors open at 9 a.m. to start the fun, only a mile or two from the stadium.
Go Cats.
Category: General Sports
