Kentucky Treating Toledo as “Faceless” Opponent

Mark Stoops is well aware of the narratives surrounding his Kentucky football team. These Cats aren’t too naive to know that Toledo is a popular upset pick, who’s also been predicted to win the MAC after multiple Power Conference wins in 2024. The Cats have a healthy respect for their opponent, but know the first step in a successful Saturday is taking care of their own business.

“They’re going to play hard,” said quarterback Zach Calzada. “We go by the motto, ‘Respect all, fear none.’ Our opponent’s faceless. We’ve got a lot of respect for them, and we know it’s one of their bigger games of the season, so we gotta give them the respect they deserve and give them our best.”

Offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan added, “It’s an extremely tough unit, fundamentally sound, play their butt off. We know what’s ahead of us.”

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While folks from outside of the building eye certain matchups, inside those four walls the Kentucky Wildcats are focused on the details. It can be easy to get caught up in the hype of a week one game. That applies to everyone, but especially Seth McGowan, who’s back in the Power Conference ranks for the first time in five years.

“Excited’s not even the word. It’s overjoyed, honestly. The energy this week and last week has been through the roof, just knowing that we’ve got a good challenge this weekend,” said the Kentucky running back.

The excitement cannot overshadow the execution. McGowan is one of many players who spent at least one season on the other side of similar matchups. Instead of getting caught up in who’s on the other sideline, Kentucky has to keep the main thing, the main thing.

“The big thing will be for us just to know that every and all of our details that we’re establishing our character out there,” said McGowan. “It’s never about the opponent. That’s something I always preached to our guys at New Mexico State when we were playing against some of those bigger teams. It’s never about who we’re playing, it’s about us, about how we’re establishing ourselves and how strong we are in our identity.”

Kentucky wants to be a fast, physical team that plays clean football. McGowan is expected to play a big part in that, although they kept the horse in the stable during the two preseason scrimmages. Zach Calzada can’t wait to see McGowan and Dante Dowdell unleashed in a live game setting.

“I’m excited for those guys, both really tough runners, and they’re fast. I’m just as excited as you to watch them play,” said the Kentucky quarterback.