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Zach Calzada injury update: Kentucky QB leaves game vs. Ole Miss

Danby: Daniel Hager09/06/25DanielHagerOn3
NCAA Football: Mississippi at Kentucky
Sep 6, 2025; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Zach Calzada (5) warms up before the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

Kentucky quarterback Zach Calzada departed Saturday afternoon’s clash against No. 20 Ole Miss due to an injury. Backup quarterback Cutter Boley replaced Calzada with five minutes remaining, with the Rebels clinging to a 27-20 lead.

Ole Miss would end up holding on for the 30-23 win in Lexington. Per UK Sports Network, Calzada was favoring his shoulder going to the sideline. He did not return to the game.

Prior to the injury, Calzada completed 15/30 passes for 149 yards. He also rushed for nine yards on just four carries. Through two games this season, the Incarnate Word transfer has completed 25/53 passes for 234 yards and one interception.

Kentucky took an early lead over the Rebels in the first quarter of the matchup courtesy of a Seth McGowan nine-yard rushing touchdown. Wildcat safety Ty Bryant then immediately picked off Ole Miss quarterback Austin Simmons on the next Rebel possession, setting up a field goal to take an early 10-0 lead.

Simmons threw his second interception on the ensuing possession, but the Rebel defense quickly forced a punt. He then led Ole Miss on back-to-back touchdown drives, which were capped off by back-to-back one-yard rushing touchdowns from running backs Kewan Lacy and Damien Taylor.

The two teams swapped field goals heading into the break, but Ole Miss came out of the half with another field goal to take a 20-13 lead. Calzada responded in a strong way however, as he led Kentucky on its best scoring drive of the season (six play, 75-yards) to tie the game at 20.

With the game knotted up once again, Ole Miss finally delivered the death blow. Simmons, before he left the game due to injury, rushed for a seven-yard touchdown to re-take a 27-20 lead. A field goal pushed the lead to 30-20, which would hold until Kentucky‘s field goal with eight seconds remaining in the game.

The Wildcats were unable to recover the onside kick, cementing the road victory for the Rebels.