This wasn’t the first time a confident Toledo strolled into SEC territory, eyeing a domination. Last September, the Rockets ransacked Starkville, MS, decimating Mississippi State 41-17 for the MAC’s largest victory over the conference since 1971.
Another opportunity was ripe for the picking as Toledo drew a Kentucky team fresh off a disappointing 4-8 campaign. However, a different result was seen this time as the Wildcats’ relentless defense bottled up Toledo all afternoon in a 24-16 result.
The tone was set the instant Toledo touched the ball. The Rockets’ second offensive snap of the season featured a misfire from veteran quarterback Tucker Gleason which wound up in the hands of cornerback JQ Hardaway. Kentucky utilized a short field of 29 yards to capitalize, finishing on a QB sneak by seventh-year senior quarterback Zach Calzada — an offseason arrival from the portal.
As brutal as things were for the offense, the Rockets kept the game within reason thanks to a commanding defensive effort. Toledo failed a 4th and 2 from the Kentucky 4-yard line on a Gleason keeper, but the defense found a way to answer after the disappointing shortcoming. New starting middle linebacker Langston Long blew up the Wildcats’ first play after the fourth down stop, charging at Calzada in the backfield to force a safety.
The safety was just one of many massive plays the Rocket defense manufactured in the first half. Defensive end Anthony Dunn Jr. deflected a pass at the line of scrimmage, allowing nickel back Nasir Bowers to corral a diving interception. Additionally, star free safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (team-high 11 tackles) punched out and recovered a fumble on the same play, denying the Wildcats of an early second quarter scoring opportunity. However, not a single point was registered from those turnovers, and Toledo entered the half trailing Kentucky 10-2.
The turnovers calmed down in the third quarter, but the defenses still reigned supreme. The first five drives after halftime concluded in punts as neither team could edit the 10-2 mark emblazoned on the Kroger Field scoreboard. That all changed in the early fourth quarter when Kentucky’s rushing attack finally entered a groove. Seth McGowan contributed a 6-yard touchdown run to establish a 15-point advantage. That 12-play, 76-yard possession — Kentucky’s first sustained touchdown drive of the afternoon — finally sparked Toledo to counter offensively.
Jason Candle’s team produced just 149 total yards through three quarters, but the Rockets finally adjusted to Kentucky’s defense in the fourth, albeit too late. Toledo churned out 180 yards in the final frame as Gleason finally re-established his connection with All-MAC wide receiver Junior Vandeross III, who tacked on 47 of his game-high 88 receiving yards in the fourth quarter. Gleason punched in a rushing touchdown — Toledo’s first offensive points — to slice the deficit to one-score at 17-9 with 9:38 remaining. But 16 seconds of action later, the most costly play unfolded for the visitors.
Nebraska transfer running back Dante Dowdell found an opening through the B-gap and sprinted downfield for a 79-yard touchdown run, completing a 1-play drive to add critical separation to the margin. Toledo once again responded as Gleason delivered a touchdown to Vandeross with 1:55 remaining, but the Rockets never possessed the ball again. The onside kick fell well short of the required 10 yards, and Kentucky’s late-game run success continued as McGowan moved the sticks on 3rd and 4 to ice the game. McGowan posted 78 rushing yards while Dowdell added 129 in a productive day for the new-look Wildcat backfield.
Meanwhile, the inability to run hampered Toledo’s offense for quite some time. The Rockets generated just 59 rushing yards on 29 attempts as Ohio State transfer tailback Chip Trayanum broke just one carry exceeding eight yards. Kentucky’s defense brought immense backfield pressure, sacking Gleason three times and forcing 17 incompletions on 40 tries. Outside linebacker Alex Afari Jr. had his fingerprints all over the Rockets, collecting 13 tackles and two tackles for loss, while fellow outside backer Steven Soles Jr. forced two fumbles for the victorious Wildcats.
Penalties were another disparity which factored greatly in the result. Kentucky was flagged three times for 30 yards while Toledo accrued 11 flags for 94 yards. Roughly half of those penalties transpired during the Rockets’ attempt at a comeback in the fourth quarter — an issue which must be corrected upon moving forward.
Kentucky is now 18-0 against the MAC since 2006, including 6-0 in the past four seasons alone. The Wildcats earned a defensive-driven, gritty victory despite being held to 85 passing yards in Lexington. Conference play is right around the corner as Kentucky plays host to Ole Miss in Week 2, hoping to upset the Rebels for the second-straight year.
Toledo falls to 0-1 after a sluggish offensive start to 2025, but the Rockets’ defensive effort proved promising. However, the aerial defense will be greatly tested during the home opener as 2-0 Western Kentucky pays a visit. Toledo eyes revenge against the reigning CUSA runner-up, while hoping to land its first victory of the new year.
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