Kentucky QB Zach Calzada Gets Vote of Confidence Despite Shaky Performance in Season Opener
The Kentucky Wildcats started their 2025 football season on a positive note in the standings, pulling out a 24–16 win over the Toledo Rockets. But while the scoreboard reflected a victory, much of the postgame discussion centered on the performance of starting quarterback Zach Calzada. The veteran signal-caller managed a few bright moments but ultimately struggled to find consistency, raising questions about the offense heading into a crucial Week 2 matchup against Ole Miss.
Calzada’s day began on a high point. Midway through the first quarter, he capped off a drive with a one-yard touchdown run on a quarterback sneak, giving the Wildcats an early boost. It looked like the type of confident, physical play that Kentucky hoped would set the tone for their offensive leader. Unfortunately, that ended up being the peak of his afternoon.
By the end of the game, Calzada’s stat line painted a troubling picture. He completed just 10 of 23 passes for 85 yards, tossing one interception. On the ground, he added only 14 yards on 10 carries. After starting strong by hitting three of his first four passes, he cooled off considerably, finishing just 7-for-19 the rest of the way. Those numbers fell short of expectations for a quarterback with SEC experience and a firm grasp on the starting job.
Despite the uneven performance, Kentucky offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan was quick to remind reporters that Calzada should not shoulder the entire burden for the team’s offensive struggles. “It’s not even kind of all on him,” Hamdan explained after the game. “Do I think Zach looked in rhythm today? No. Did I feel in rhythm? No. I feel just like you guys. The one thing we got going is we’re 1–0, and that’s that. And we got to make a big jump from week one to week two.”
That sentiment reflects the broader reality of Week 1 football—teams are often still ironing out mistakes and working to find cohesion. However, with Ole Miss visiting Lexington for a nationally televised showdown on ABC in Week 2, the margin for error will shrink quickly. The Rebels bring a fast-paced, explosive offense, meaning Kentucky will likely need far more than 24 points to compete.
Still, Calzada’s teammates voiced confidence in their quarterback after the game. Tight end Josh Kattus, one of the leaders on offense, came to his defense during postgame interviews. “I believe in him,” Kattus said firmly. “I’ve seen him make some of those throws in practice. I trust him. The whole team trusts him. He’s a really good ball player, and he throws some really good passes. I didn’t think twice of what happened today, and I know week two he’s going to be ready to go.”
Support from teammates is important, but the most critical backing comes from the head coach. Mark Stoops, who has seen Calzada’s growth firsthand since his arrival in Lexington, made it clear he still believes in his starting quarterback. “He will improve,” Stoops emphasized. “I don’t think it was his best effort; I think he’ll tell you that. We have to be better around him. There are a lot of things we can do.”
That last point highlights a larger truth about Kentucky’s offensive struggles: the issues go beyond one player. Protection broke down at times, the run game stalled in key moments, and receivers failed to create separation on several routes. While the quarterback naturally draws the most attention, the entire unit will need to improve if Kentucky wants to contend in the SEC.
The challenge for Calzada now is twofold: quieting the outside skepticism and proving that he can be the consistent leader Kentucky needs. With several years of experience, including prior SEC starts earlier in his career, he has shown flashes of ability. But time is running short for him to turn those flashes into steady production. If he cannot, pressure will mount from both the fan base and within the program to explore other options under center.
For now, though, Kentucky remains steadfast in its support. The Wildcats are 1–0, and while Calzada’s Week 1 performance left room for improvement, the message from the locker room is clear: he is their quarterback, and they believe he will rise to the occasion. With a formidable Ole Miss team coming to Kroger Field next Saturday, he won’t have long to wait for a chance at redemption.
If Calzada can settle into a rhythm and make the kind of throws his teammates insist they’ve seen in practice, Kentucky could quickly flip the narrative. But if the offensive struggles persist, Week 2 could prove to be a pivotal moment in shaping both Calzada’s season and Kentucky’s long-term outlook at quarterback.
For now, the Wildcats are celebrating a win, but all eyes remain fixed on their quarterback as he looks to turn doubt into confidence in the weeks ahead.
