Monday Huddle: Early Bye Week

The Kentucky football program does not often have bye weeks this early in the season. However, this is a unique schedule due to the calendar. UK has a chance to reset before a critical stretch that will include just two games before the second bye week of the season arrives in mid-October. UK must use this extra time to get better. We can use this time to project what could happen in the future.

In Week 3, we saw Kentucky’s offense make some positive strides and the defense appeared to take a step back. The kicking game continues to play winning football. That gets us to pivotal point in the season.

We have continually talked about how important the South Carolina game at the end of the month is. The Wildcats missed a big opportunity at home against Ole Miss in Week 2 and need an SEC win to stop an ugly power conference losing streak and to build some momentum early in the season. But we will have plenty of time in the next two weeks to discuss that upcoming matchup. Now is about taking a step back and looking where Kentucky is after 12 quarters of football.

KSR’s Monday Huddle is taking a look at all three phases as we begin the bye week as we dive into UK’s statistical profile.

First Down: Kentucky hopes backup QB button leads to more success

The Zach Calzada era at Kentucky may have just come to an end after only two starts. The former Texas A&M quarterback missed last week with a shoulder injury and that gave redshirt freshman Cutter Boley another opportunity. The class of 2024 signee appeared to take it and run with it.

Aura … 😮‍💨

12-21 | 240 YDS | 2 TD | 184.6 QBR pic.twitter.com/eyqVmA2W8a

— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) September 14, 2025

Kentucky’s offense took a massive step in the right direction in Week 3 by scoring 48 points in 11 non-end of half drives against one of the worst defenses in college football. That gives us a flawed data sample but we do have a better idea what this offense is good — and not so good — at as we reach mid-September.

• Scoring: 31.7 (No. 62 overall)
• Points Per Drive: 1.73 (No. 83 overall)
• Success Rate: 41.7% (No. 77 overall)
• EPA/Play: -0.02 (No. 88 overall)
• Yards Per Play: 5.69 (No. 78 overall)
• Yards Per Rush: 5.62 (No. 47 overall)
• Yards Per Dropback: 6.35 (No. 91 overall)
• Third Down Conversions: 43.9% (No. 57 overall)
• Havoc Rate Allowed: 7% (No. 22 overall)
• 20+ yard plays: 13 (No. 66 overall)
• Red Zone TD Percentage: 71.43% (No. 44 overall)
• Turnovers: 2 (No. 27 overall)

Want to know how much the offensive line has improved? Kentucky finished last season ranked No. 124 in havoc rate allowed (tackles for loss, forced fumbles, interceptions, pass breakups). That number is much better and giving them a chance to end successful drives in points. There were some red zone struggles against Ole Miss but this offense has mostly protected the football and scored when opportunities arrive. The run game has been efficient and that has led to some manageable third down situations. But the passing game needs improvement.

Boley posted 10 yards per dropback in the win over Eastern Michigan on Saturday night at Kroger Field. That was the largest number for a Kentucky quarterback since Devin Leary posted 11.7 yards per dropback in a Week 3 win over Akron in 2023. The Wildcats are hopeful that Boley can help fix some of their passing game struggles but it will be hard without better production from the wideout position.

Josh Kattus and Willie Rodriguez have recorded a combined 13 receptions (25 targets) for 180 yards and two touchdowns. Kattus has been the most productive pass catcher on the team and Rodriguez has given the offense some versatility. However, you need receivers to make plays for a passing game to thrive. That is not happening.

The wide receiver room has recored a total of 20 receptions (40 targets) for 308 yards. Ja’Mori Maclin (25.7 yards per catch) and Kendrick Law (10.8 YAC per touch) have shown some explosive play potential, but there has been too much inefficiency from this group to go along with five drops. Kentucky needs better production.

Seth McGowan (275 rushing yards, 5.4 yards per rush, 6 touchdowns, 15 missed tackles forced, 60.8% success rate) and Dante Dowdell (214 rushing yards, 5.9 yards per rush, 1 touchdown, 4 missed tackles forced, 44.4% success rate) have given the offense a good foundation along with the offensive line. Now Kentucky must find some more success in the air.

The hope is that Boley can provide that.

Second Down: There are some red flags popping up for the Kentucky defense

The Kentucky defense needed to be a team strength for this football team in 2025. Unfortunately, some red flags are popping up for this unit for the first three weeks of the season. UK’s traditional big-play prevention has struggled, this group isn’t producing many negative plays, and offenses are continually creating scoring opportunities.

• Scoring: 23.0 (No. 74 overall)
• Points Per Drive: 1.76 (No. 50 overall)
• Success Rate: 39.4% (No. 70 overall)
• EPA/Play: -0.06 (No. 56 overall)
• Yards Per Play: 5.82 (No. 101 overall)
• Yards Per Rush: 4.49 (No. 72 overall)
• Yards Per Dropback: 7.76 (No. 108 overall)
• 3rd Down Conversions: 31.82% (No. 43 overall)
• Havoc Rate: 9.9% (No. 104 overall)
• 20+ yard plays: 16 (No. 115 overall)
• Red Zone TD Percentage: 54.55% (No. 50 overall)
• Takeaways: 4 (No. 48 overall)

Toledo’s run game struggled in Week 1 but Ole Miss and Eastern Michigan were each able to find some success with explosive rushes. Meanwhile, Kentucky’s secondary has not made enough plays. Add in poor tackling (18.3% missed tackle rate) and offenses are creating a ton of yards after the catch. There are some legitimate concerns with this defense.

Luckily, Kentucky’s 27 havoc plays this season have turned into four takeaways. Each was an interception in the first quarter that immediately led to a short field touchdown for the offense. That is allowing UK to play from ahead but the Cats have had some struggles on defense after that. Every quarterback has thrown for at least 235 yards despite no one completing more 58 percent of their passes. When completions are found, they are typically going for big gains.

Kam Olds and Steven Soles Jr. (3 tackles for loss, 10 pressures, 3 sacks, 2 QB hits, 123 snaps) are making an impact as rotational edge rushers, defensive lineman Kahlil Saunders (8 tackles, 8 pressures) is having a career year, Tavion Gadson (8 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 6 pressures, 86 snaps) has produced off the bench, and David Gusta has had some big moments. Alex Afari Jr. (26 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 sack) and Daveren Rayner (17 tackles, interception) are playing solid football in the middle. Ty Bryant (21 tackles, 0.5 tackle for loss, 2 interceptions) has been a playmaker.

Kentucky’s front is doing some good things but the secondary has been a disappointment outside of Bryant to start the season. The lack of cornerback depth got exposed against Eastern Michigan, and UK simply is not getting good enough play from some veterans in the backend. The Wildcats should get starting cornerback DJ Waller Jr. back soon to help stabilize the coverage but this group was supposed to be a position of strength. It has not played out that way.

That is concerning heading into a stretch of six consecutive SEC games. Kentucky’s havoc creation has been poor, teams are having a ton of success when the football gets on the perimeter, and short gains are turning into too many explosive plays. There is a lot to fix on this side of the football. It mostly starts in the secondary.

Third Down: Kentucky’s kicking game is making a big impact

The vibes were positive surrounding Kentucky’s kicking game despite the third phase losing first-team All-SEC producers at placekicker (Alex Raynor) and kick returner (Barion Brown). Those vibes were mostly right. UK’s kicking game is delivering.

Aidan Laros is averaging 44.71 yards per punt with a net average of 41.43 yards. That ranks just outside of the top 50 nationally but is helping flip field position. Laros has a 90 percent touchback rate on 18 kickoffs. New starting placekicker Jacob Kauwe has made all of his field goal (6-of-6) and PAT (11-of-11) attempts. The redshirt freshman has shown accuracy and the power to hit from 50-plus yards.

Ty Bryant is doing a good job of saving some hidden yardage on punt returns. All of this has added up to give UK a field position advantage this season. The Cats rank No. 5 nationally in average starting field position (own 36).

This efficiency in the kicking game could help UK win a game or two this season.

The week ahead at KSR

Kentucky does not have a game in Week 4 but that does not mean our coverage will stop at KSR. Throughout the week, we will be taking a look back at what we have learned in three games before switching into preview mode for the monstrous Week 5 clash against South Carolina.

Mark Stoops is scheduled to meet with the media on Wednesday after practice. We will have full coverage of his only scheduled meeting with reporters outside of the weekly teleconference. However, KSR’s podcast lineup is not changing. Stay tuned for the “KSR Football Podcast” on Monday afternoon and another episode of “11 Personnel” on Wednesday night.

A potential fork in the road moment will arrive in Week 5 for this program. Can Cutter Boley help UK find the winner’s circle in his first SEC start? We will find out after the bye.