Sat Sep 06 20:20:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a news article summarizing the situation:
**Calzada Struggles in Kentucky’s Win Over Toledo, Pressure Mounts Ahead of Ole Miss Showdown**
LEXINGTON, KY – Kentucky secured a 24-16 victory over Toledo on Saturday, but the performance of quarterback Zach Calzada left much to be desired, raising concerns as the Wildcats prepare to face a tough Ole Miss team next week.
Calzada started strong with a one-yard touchdown rush in the first quarter. However, his overall performance faltered, completing just 10 of 23 passes for 85 yards with one interception. His rushing stats were also unimpressive, gaining only 14 yards on 10 carries.
Offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan acknowledged the team’s offensive struggles, stating, “Do I think Zach looked in rhythm today? No. Did I feel in rhythm? No.” Hamdan emphasized the importance of improvement before the upcoming game.
Despite the underwhelming performance, Calzada has the support of his teammates and coach. Tight end Josh Kattus expressed his belief in Calzada, saying, “I’ve seen him make some of those throws in practice. I trust him. The whole team trusts him.” Head Coach Mark Stoops echoed this sentiment, stating, “He will improve… We have to be better around him.”
With skepticism already surrounding Calzada and the Kentucky offense after just one game, the upcoming matchup against Ole Miss, which will be nationally televised, is crucial for demonstrating progress. The game will also mark the first 13 games for Bush Hamdan as the OC for Kentucky. The team hopes to avoid comparisons to some of the worst Kentucky offenses in history.
First Piper 