Kentucky's running backs have been a bright spot in a lackluster offense

Bush Hamdan‘s offense is averaging just 23.5 points per game through the first two weeks of the season, a figure that ranks 14th out of 16 in the Southeastern Conference, but it would have looked even more anemic had it not been for Kentucky’s pair of talented running backs.

Transfers Seth McGowan and Dante Dowdell both rank among the SEC’s top 10 in rushing yards. Dowdell sits in seventh with 185 rushing yards and one touchdown, while McGowan isn’t far behind at 171 yards with three touchdowns. Arkansas and Missouri, which have racked up 54 and 51.5 points per game, respectively, so far this season, are the only other SEC schools with two running backs in the top 10.

Going off that, you’d think that Kentucky would be feeding its bell cows as often as possible, especially when the passing game currently ranks dead-last in the conference (and near the very bottom in all of DI football).

SEC Rushing Yard Leaders after Week 2 pic.twitter.com/y8kcB1Wmwd

— SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) September 8, 2025

But the Wildcats only rank sixth in the SEC in rushing attempts. In the 30-23 loss to Ole Miss over the weekend, Kentucky running backs carried the ball 29 times for 149 yards. Meanwhile, QB Zach Calzada threw the ball 30 times, which also resulted in 149 yards. Hamdan is calling a balanced game, but the on-field production, at least through two weeks, is saying he shouldn’t be.

“After it, (Bush) and I both talked about it. It pisses us both off because in hindsight we should just pound it pound it pound it,” Head coach Mark Stoops said postgame. “I don’t say anything because I don’t want to hinder us from improving and being aggressive.”

McGowan, in particular, is looking like the four-star recruit he was out of high school. He ran the 15 times for 93 yards (6.2 YPC) and a pair of scores against the Rebels. As Stoops said himself, McGowan should have been fed the ball more. But at the same time, McGowan will need help from his QB to make it all work long term.

“That’s not up to us, right?” McGowan said when asked about balancing running and passing. “We’re not calling the shots and all we can do is be ready when our number is called. I think me and Dante have done a pretty good job at that. (Running backs coach Jay) Boulware has kept our minds right, he’s kept our legs fresh, and we got other weapons too. It ain’t just us.”

Regardless of what happens with Kentucky’s quarterback situation moving forward, the offense could benefit from reverting to its traditional running roots as we’ve come to know them under Stoops.

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