Kentucky Trying to Avoid Turnover Bug, Sloppy Start

Aug 31, 2024; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats defensive back JQ Hardaway (6) celebrates after an interception in the end zone against Southern Miss Golden Eagles during the second quarter at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Carter Skaggs-Imagn Images

Week one of the 2025 college football season is filled with headliners. It doesn’t matter whose name is on the marquee; you will not see the best football product. It takes time for teams to get their feet underneath them, and we saw just that over in Ireland during week zero. Iowa State and Kansas State combined for four fumbles in the first half.

“I think the whole country was watching that Iowa State-Kansas State game and taking a lot of the different scenarios that come up,” said Kentucky offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan.

“You try to practice as many of those different situations, whether they be 2-minute, 4-minute, emphasis on ball security, but it’s going to be critical for the guys. It’s their first live action as a 2025 unit. Ultimately, you gotta be ready. There’s going to be some things that happen. We gotta play one play at a time and be ready to go.”

If ball is life, then ball security is paramount. I’m sure you’ll find it hard to believe that the 4-win 2024 Kentucky Wildcats did not value the football. Kentucky had a turnover margin of -7, ranking 14th in the SEC and No. 110 nationally.

Mark Stoops has made ball security a point of emphasis since his team returned to campus. It was one of the first things discussed when Kentucky kicked off game week on Monday.

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“I think there’s a fine line there. We harp on ball security all through camp, each and every day. It is critical. The staff and I already talked about it this morning in our staff meeting, and we’re re-emphasizing that,” Stoops said during Monday’s press conference.

“But again, we want to play aggressive, and we want to continue to build on the good things we’ve done throughout camp. We don’t want to play timid, but preaching ball security is something that we have to do all year. In general, we have to be better in turnover margin. At the end of the year, I want to see us making a gain in that area.”

The easiest place for Kentucky to make up ground is through the air. Six fumbles lost in 12 games is a solid number. The 17 interceptions thrown were the most in the SEC. That may be why Zach Calzada’s self-talk has all been about taking what the defense gives him.

The Toledo secondary will challenge Kentucky’s wide receivers. A few turnovers can flip the game away from the Wildcats. The Rockets won’t beat themselves. Kentucky can’t give them anything easily.