Kentucky takes down MAC favorite Toledo to start the season with a win

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) – The Kentucky Wildcats were able to kick off their 2025 campaign with a win over one of the highest rated group of five teams this year. Kentucky’s defense was the biggest story of Saturday’s game, allowing zero points through the first 50 minutes of game action. Senior linebacker Alex Afari Jr. led the way with 13 tackles for the Wildcat defense, and senior defensive back JQ Hardaway got the Wildcats their first takeaway of the year, with an interception of Toledo quarterback Tucker Gleason in the first quarter.

The offense was led by the two-headed running back duo of Dante Dowdell and Seth McGowan. Dowdell had 14 carries in the game for 130 yards on the ground, including a 79 yard rushing touchdown to put Kentucky away in the 4th quarter. McGowan carried the rock 18 times in the game on Saturday. He tallied 78 yards on the ground, with a touchdown, while averaging 4.3 yards per carry in the game. Quarterback Zach Calzada also had a QB sneak for a rushing touchdown in Saturday’s win.

Kentucky will kick off SEC play next Saturday at Kroger Field when they host the Ole Miss Rebels. The game will be at 3:30 P.M. EST, and you can watch the game on ABC 36.