College football is back, and the University of Kentucky opens its season on Saturday.The Wildcats are coming off a disappointing 2024 season, in which they finished with a 4-8 record and second-to-last in the SEC. Head coach Mark Stoops and crew will be looking to turn things around with a new roster this year.Getting the start at quarterback for Week 1 is transfer Zach Calzada, who previously played in the SEC with Auburn and Texas A&M during his freshman through junior seasons.A signature of many Stoops teams in the past has been the air raid, and passing looks to be a pivotal piece of the Wildcat offense again this season.”I think he’s tried talking himself into that. You know, because I think he likes to get the ball down the field and take some shots,” Stoops said about Calzada. “And I think that’s just through coaching, you know, because when things are there and check downs are there and, you know, keeping the chains moving, those are things he has to do. And he’s done a better job with that.”Kentucky comes into Saturday’s game against Toledo as a 7.5-point favorite.The Wildcats will look to pick up a win in the first week before they host Ole Miss on Sept. 6. In a similar scenario last season, Kentucky won its opener and was clobbered by South Carolina in Week 2.Kickoff for Kentucky and Toledo is set for 12:45 p.m. Saturday. The game will air on the SEC Network.

LEXINGTON, Ky. —

College football is back, and the University of Kentucky opens its season on Saturday.

The Wildcats are coming off a disappointing 2024 season, in which they finished with a 4-8 record and second-to-last in the SEC.

Head coach Mark Stoops and crew will be looking to turn things around with a new roster this year.

Getting the start at quarterback for Week 1 is transfer Zach Calzada, who previously played in the SEC with Auburn and Texas A&M during his freshman through junior seasons.

A signature of many Stoops teams in the past has been the air raid, and passing looks to be a pivotal piece of the Wildcat offense again this season.

“I think he’s tried talking himself into that. You know, because I think he likes to get the ball down the field and take some shots,” Stoops said about Calzada. “And I think that’s just through coaching, you know, because when things are there and check downs are there and, you know, keeping the chains moving, those are things he has to do. And he’s done a better job with that.”

Kentucky comes into Saturday’s game against Toledo as a 7.5-point favorite.

The Wildcats will look to pick up a win in the first week before they host Ole Miss on Sept. 6. In a similar scenario last season, Kentucky won its opener and was clobbered by South Carolina in Week 2.

Kickoff for Kentucky and Toledo is set for 12:45 p.m. Saturday. The game will air on the SEC Network.