INSTANT ANALYSIS: Kentucky 24, Toledo 16

NCAA Football: Toledo at Kentucky — Aug 30, 2025; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats tight end Willie Rodriguez (81) runs the ball during the second quarter against the Toledo Rockets at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

Kentucky won its long-awaited season opener against Toledo 24-16 on Saturday, starting 1-0 on the season.

The defense and special teams units were in midseason form but offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan, quarterback Zach Calzada, and the offense will be a big topic of conversation as the schedule gets a lot tougher from here.

Dante Dowdell’s 79-yard fourth quarter run all but put the game on ice for Kentucky.

READ AND DISCUSS: Instant Analysis of UK’s 24-16 win against Toledo