Associated Press
After pushing a top-10 Ole Miss team for four quarters last weekend, Kentucky gets a chance to reset Saturday when Eastern Michigan comes to Kroger Field. The Wildcats sit at 1-1, and while there was plenty to like about the effort in Oxford, Mark Stoops knows his group left too many opportunities on the field.
“There was a lot of good things to build on, and a lot of mistakes we’ve got to get corrected,” Stoops said Monday. “We played winning football much of that game. Now we’ve got to capitalize, finish, and play better in critical moments.”
Quarterback Watch
The big storyline heading into Saturday is the health of veteran quarterback Zach Calzada. Stoops said Calzada “will not practice today” and is still recovering from the hits he took at Ole Miss. That opens the door for freshman Cutter Boley, who got valuable snaps late in Oxford and impressed his head coach with poise.
“He’ll absolutely play,” Stoops said. “I’m excited to see Cutter, just like I always am with the next man up. The pass he completed was beautiful. He just has to protect himself.”
If Calzada can’t go, Boley will start, with Beau Allen sliding in as the No. 2.
Building the Run Game
Even in defeat, Kentucky showed progress on the ground. Seth McGowan and the rest of the backfield churned out consistent yardage behind an improving offensive line. Stoops praised both Jalen Farmer and Jager Burton for their physical play up front, noting Burton has played “the best football since he’s been here” through two games.
Getting McGowan more involved in the passing game is also on the to-do list this week. “Yes, without a doubt,” Stoops said when asked if the backs could help offset press coverage with routes out of the backfield.
Defensively Holding Up
The Wildcats were hurt by explosive plays against Ole Miss, particularly on hitch routes and a deep post that beat the secondary. Not having DJ Waller Jr. (who is expected to miss this week as well) didn’t help. Still, Stoops highlighted strong games from Alex Afari, Kahlil Saunders, and David Gusta as positives.
“There was good movement up front, and even when we didn’t get sacks, we still affected them,” Stoops said.
About Eastern Michigan
Eastern Michigan comes to Lexington 1-1 on the year under longtime head coach Chris Creighton. The Eagles are a classic MAC team: tough, disciplined, and opportunistic. They feature former Kentucky tight end Tanner Lemaster, who transferred out of the program in the offseason.
The Eagles’ offense is balanced and capable of controlling tempo. On defense, EMU hangs its hat on sound tackling and forcing opponents to sustain long drives. Stoops emphasized that his team must take the challenge seriously.
“They know who they are. They know what they want to be. You have to beat them,” Stoops said. “We’re focused on ourselves, improving and getting better.”
What to Watch
- Quarterback rotation: Does Calzada return, or is it Boley’s show?
- Red-zone execution: Kentucky has moved the ball but needs to finish drives.
- Explosive plays: Can the defense cut down on big gains allowed?
- Building chemistry: Stoops hinted this week is about “settling in and letting guys play” to find an offensive rhythm.
The Bottom Line
Eastern Michigan may not bring the same firepower as Ole Miss, but they’re the kind of well-coached MAC team that can hang around if mistakes pile up. For Kentucky, this is about playing clean football, protecting whichever quarterback takes the snaps, and continuing to grow the run game. The Wildcats are favored, but Stoops made it clear—Saturday is about improvement, not overlooking anyone.
About the Author
Dalton Tinklenberg is the Founder and Media Director of The Scouting Depot, where he leads comprehensive coverage of college and professional football. He is an active member of some of the most respected organizations in sports journalism, including the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA), Maxwell Football Club, Online News Association (ONA), National Football Foundation (NFF), and the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE).
Before launching The Scouting Depot, Dalton worked with Blue HQ Media, where he covered major sporting events such as the Indianapolis 500, the College Football Playoff, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Through his professional affiliations and on-the-ground experience, Dalton combines deep knowledge of the game with recognized standards of storytelling, editorial excellence, and authenticity in sports coverage.
