2025 Kentucky Wildcats football team

Last updated

2025 Kentucky Wildcats football
Kentucky Wildcats logo.svg
Conference Southeastern Conference
Record2–4 (0–4 SEC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan (2nd season)
Offensive scheme Multiple pro-style
Defensive coordinator Brad White (7th season)
Base defenseMultiple
Home stadium Kroger Field
Seasons
  2024
2026 
2025 Southeastern Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 3 Texas A&M  4 0   7 0  
No. 4 Alabama  4 0   6 1  
No. 5 Georgia  4 1   6 1  
No. 8 Ole Miss  3 1   6 1  
No. 15 Missouri  2 1   6 1  
No. 13 Oklahoma  2 1   6 1  
No. 10 Vanderbilt  2 1   6 1  
No. 22 Texas  2 1   5 2  
No. 20 LSU  2 2   5 2  
No. 17 Tennessee  2 2   5 2  
Florida  2 2   3 4  
South Carolina  1 4   3 4  
Mississippi State  0 3   4 3  
Arkansas  0 3   2 5  
Auburn  0 4   3 4  
Kentucky  0 4   2 4  
Championship: December 6, 2025
  • $ Conference champion
  • y Championship game participant
As of October 20, 2025
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2025 Kentucky Wildcats football team represents the University of Kentucky in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) as a founding member during the 2025 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Wildcats are led by Mark Stoops in his 13th year as their head coach. The Kentucky football team plays its home games at Kroger Field located in Lexington, Kentucky.

Contents

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
August 3012:45 p.m. Toledo * SECN W 24–1656,457
September 63:30 p.m.No. 20 Ole Miss
  • Kroger Field
  • Lexington, KY
ABC L 23–3058,346
September 137:30 p.m. Eastern Michigan *
  • Kroger Field
  • Lexington, KY
ESPNU W 48–2358,489
September 277:45 p.m.at South Carolina SECNL 13–3579,266
October 412:00 p.m.at No. 12 Georgia ABC/SECNL 14–3593,033
October 187:00 p.m.No. 21 Texas Dagger-14-plain.png
  • Kroger Field
  • Lexington, KY
ESPN L 13–16 OT60,937
October 257:45 p.m.No. 17 Tennessee
  • Kroger Field
  • Lexington, KY (rivalry)
SECN
November 17:30 p.m.at Auburn SECN
November 8 Florida
  • Kroger Field
  • Lexington, KY (rivalry)
November 151:30 p.m. Tennessee Tech *
  • Kroger Field
  • Lexington, KY
SECN+/ESPN+
November 22at Vanderbilt
November 29at Louisville *
  • *Non-conference game
  • Dagger-14-plain.pngHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll - Released prior to game
  • All times are in Eastern time

[1] [2]

Game summaries

vs Toledo

Toledo Rockets (0–0) at Kentucky Wildcats (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Rockets0201416
Wildcats7301424

at Kroger FieldLexington, Kentucky

  • Date: August 30
  • Game time: 12:45 PM EDT
  • Game attendance: 56,457
  • Referee: Kyle Olson
  • TV announcers (SECN): Taylor Zarzour (play-by-play), Matt Stinchcomb (analyst), and Alyssa Lang (sideline)
Game information
First quarter
  • UK – Zach Calzada 1-yard run (Jacob Kauwe kick), 6:27. Wildcats 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 29 yards, 3:38.
Second quarter
  • TOL – Langston Long Safety, 13:08. Wildcats 7–2.
  • UK – Jacob Kauwe 45-yard field goal, 2:04. Wildcats 10–2. Drive: 10 plays, 23 yards, 5:24.
Third quarter

No scoring plays.

Fourth quarter
  • UK – Seth McGowan 6-yard run (Jacob Kauwe kick), 12:30. Wildcats 17–2. Drive: 12 plays, 76 yards, 6:27.
  • TOL – Tucker Gleason 9-yard run (Dylan Cunanan kick), 9:38. Wildcats 17–9. Drive: 7 plays, 69 yards, 2:45.
  • UK – Dante Dowdell 79-yard run (Jacob Kauwe kick), 9:22. Wildcats 24–9. Drive: 1 play, 79 yards, 0:12.
  • TOL – Junior Vandeross III 20-yard pass from Tucker Gleason (Dylan Cunanan kick), 1:55. Wildcats 24–16. Drive: 7 plays, 95 yards, 2:28.
StatisticsTOLUK
First downs1717
Plays–yards69–32966–305
Rushes–yards29–5943–220
Passing yards27085
Passing: comp–att–int23–40–110–23–1
Turnovers12
Time of possession28:1931:41
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
ToledoPassing Tucker Gleason 23/40, 270 yards, TD, INT
Rushing Chip Trayanum 14 carries, 41 yards
ReceivingJunior Vandeross III7 receptions, 88 yards, TD
KentuckyPassing Zach Calzada 10/23, 85 yards, INT
Rushing Dante Dowdell 14 carries, 129 yards, TD
ReceivingJosh Kattus3 receptions, 43 yards

vs No. 20 Ole Miss

No. 20 Ole Miss Rebels (1–0) at Kentucky Wildcats (1–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 20 Rebels01710330
Wildcats767323

at Kroger Field • Lexington, Kentucky

Game information
First quarter
  • UK – Seth McGowan 9-yard run (Jacob Kauwe kick), 1:55. Wildcats 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 31 yards, 4:19.
Second quarter
  • UK – Jacob Kauwe 33-yard field goal, 14:17. Wildcats 10–0. Drive: 5 plays, 17 yards, 1:33.
  • MISS – Kewan Lacy 1-yard run (Lucas Carneiro kick), 12:25. Wildcats 10–7. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 1:52.
  • MISS – Damien Taylor 1-yard run (Lucas Carneiro kick), 8:24. Rebels 14–10. Drive: 8 plays, 70 yards, 2:49.
  • UK – Jacob Kauwe 31-yard field goal, 4:31. Rebels 14–13. Drive: 10 plays, 62 yards, 3:53.
  • MISS – Lucas Carneiro 43-yard field goal, 1:05. Rebels 17–13. Drive: 8 plays, 50 yards, 3:26.
Third quarter
  • MISS – Lucas Carneiro 28-yard field goal, 8:48. Rebels 20–13. Drive: 9 plays, 61 yards, 3:39.
  • UK – Seth McGowan 8-yard run (Jacob Kauwe kick), 5:38. Tied 20–20. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:10.
  • MISS – Austin Simmons 7-yard run (Lucas Carniero kick), 2:20. Rebels 27–20. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:18.
Fourth quarter
  • MISS – Lucas Carniero 36-yard field goal, 1:10. Rebels 30–20. Drive: 9 plays, 50 yards, 3:01.
  • UK – Jacob Kauwe 39-yard field goal, 0:08. Rebels 30–23. Drive: 5 plays, 54 yards, 1:02.
StatisticsMISSUK
First downs2018
Plays–yards72–45570–359
Rushes–yards48–22037–172
Passing yards235187
Passing: comp–att–int13–24–216–33–0
Turnovers20
Time of possession27:4732:13
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Ole MissPassing Austin Simmons 13/24, 235 yards, 2 INT
Rushing Kewan Lacy 28 carries, 138 yards, TD
Receiving Harrison Wallace III 4 receptions, 117 yards
KentuckyPassingZach Calzada15/30, 149 yards
RushingSeth McGowan15 carries, 93 yards, 2 TD
ReceivingJamori Maclin2 receptions, 59 yards

vs Eastern Michigan

Eastern Michigan Eagles (0–2) at Kentucky Wildcats (1–1) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Eagles3130723
Wildcats1414101048

at Kroger Field • Lexington, Kentucky

  • Date: September 13
  • Game time: 7:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: Clear, 79 F
  • Game attendance: 58,489
  • Referee: Ken Williamson
  • TV announcers (ESPNU): Clay Matvick (play-by-play) and Chase Daniel (analyst)
Game information
First quarter
  • UK – Seth McGowan 4 yard-run (Jacob Kauwe kick), 14:11 Wildcats 7–0. Drive: 2 plays, 10 yards, 0:39.
  • UK – Seth McGowan 12 yd rush (Jacob Kauwe kick), 05:32 Wildcats 14–0. Drive: 11 plays, 79 yards, 5:09.
  • EMU – Rudy Kessinger 38 yd FG, 02:20 Wildcats 14–3. Drive: 8 plays, 55 yards, 3:12.
Second quarter
  • UK – Willie Rodriguez 3 yd pass from Cutter Boley (Jacob Kauwe KICK) Wildcats 21–3. Drive: 5 plays, 54 yards, 1:52.
  • EMU – Rudy Kessinger 37 yd FG, 5:19 10 plays, 56 yards, 4:59 Wildcats 21–6. Drive: 10 plays, 56 yards, 4:59.
  • UK – Josh Kattus 4 yd pass from Cutter Boley (Jacob Kauwe KICK) Wildcats 28–6. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:23.
  • EMU – Terry Lockett Jr. 64 yd pass from Noah Kim (Rudy Kessinger KICK), 1:36 Wildcats 28–13. Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 0:19.
  • EMU – Rudy Kessinger 50 yd FG, 0:03, Wildcats 28–16. Drive: 5 plays, 34 yards, 0:47.
Third quarter
  • UK – Jacob Kauwe 51 yd FG, 8:13, Wildcats 31–16. Drive: 7 plays, 30 yards, 2:38.
  • UK – Seth McGowan 8 yd rush (J.Kauwe kick), Wildcats 38–16. Drive: 4 plays, 27 yards, 1:21.
Fourth quarter
  • UK – Jacob Kauwe 24 yd FG, 13:16, Wildcats 41–16. Drive: 7 plays, 51 yards, 3:38.
  • UK – Jason Patterson 6 yd rush (Jacob Kauwe kick), 4:46, Wildcats 48–16. Drive: 10 plays, 63 yards, 5:20.
  • EMU – Noah Kim 5 yd rush, 0:58 (Rudy Kessinger KICK), Wildcats 48–23. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 3:48.
StatisticsEMUUK
First downs2124
Plays–yards77-46169-492
Rushes–yards30-13146-252
Passing yards330240
Passing: comp–att–int25-43-112-21-0
Turnovers10
Time of possession30:0429:55
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Eastern MichiganPassing Noah Kim 25/42, 330 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingDontae McMillan13 carries, 83 yards
ReceivingTerry Lockett Jr.3 receptions, 90 yards, 1 TD
KentuckyPassing Cutter Boley 12/21, 240 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT
RushingSeth McGowan18 carries, 104 yards
ReceivingJosh Kattus3 receptions, 64 yards, 1 TD

at South Carolina

Kentucky Wildcats (2–1) at South Carolina Gamecocks (2–2) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Wildcats1003013
Gamecocks7210735

at Williams–Brice StadiumColumbia, South Carolina

  • Date: September 27
  • Game time: 7:45 p.m.
  • Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 75 °F (24 °C) • Wind: W at 1 mile per hour (1.6 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 79,266
  • Referee: Matt Loeffler
  • TV announcers (SECN): Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (analyst) and Cole Cubelic (sideline)
Game information
First quarter
  • (11:27) UK – Seth McGowan 20-yard run, Jacob Kauwe kick (Drive: 8 plays, 65 yards, 3:33; Kentucky 7–0)
  • (5:48) SC – Rahsul Faison 12-yard run, William Joyce kick (Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 5:39; Tied 7–7)
  • (0:58) UK – Jacob Kauwe 27-yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 76 yards, 4:48; Kentucky 10–7)
Second quarter
  • (11:28) SC – Jatius Geer 41-yard fumble return, William Joyce kick (Drive: 0 plays, 0 yards, 2:37; South Carolina 14–10)
  • (10:43) SC – Gerald Kilgore 45-yard interception return, William Joyce kick (Drive: 0 plays, 0 yards, 0:45; South Carolina 21–10)
  • (1:07) SC – Rahsul Faison 6-yard run, William Joyce kick (Drive: 5 plays, 43 yards, 0:58; South Carolina 28–10)
Third quarter
  • (0:34) UK – Jacob Kauwe 42-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 15 yards, 3:30; South Carolina 28–13)
Fourth quarter
  • (12:14) SC – Matt Fuller 1-yard run, William Joyce kick (Drive: 8 plays, 84 yards, 3:14; South Carolina 35–13)
StatisticsUKSC
First downs1419
Plays–yards60–23263–341
Rushes–yards41–10848–178
Passing yards124163
Passing: comp–att–int10–19–212–15–0
Turnovers40
Time of possession28:5731:03
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
KentuckyPassingCutter Boley10/19, 124 yards, 2 INT
RushingSeth McGowan17 carries, 112 yards, TD
ReceivingWillie Rodriguez2 receptions, 66 yards
South CarolinaPassing LaNorris Sellers 11/14, 153 yards
RushingLaNorris Sellers14 carries, 81 yards
Receiving Vandrevius Jacobs 5 receptions, 108 yards

at No. 12 Georgia

Kentucky Wildcats (2–2) at No. 12 Georgia Bulldogs (3–1) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Wildcats070714
No. 12 Bulldogs14714035

at Sanford StadiumAthens, Georgia

  • Date: October 4
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m.
  • Game weather:  73 °F (23 °C)
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee: Kyle Olson
  • TV announcers (ABC): Joe Tessitore (play-by-play), Jesse Palmer (analyst), and Katie George (sideline)
Game information
First quarter
  • (8:51) UGA – Gunner Stockton 7 yard run, Peyton Woodring kick (Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 6:09; Georgia 7–0)
  • (0:55) UGA – Gunner Stockton 6 yard run, Peyton Woodring kick (Drive: 13 plays, 96 yards, 5:15; Georgia 14–0)
Second quarter
  • (14:21) UK – Josh Kattus 29 yard pass from Cutter Boley, Jacob Kauwe kick (Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:34; Georgia 14–7)
  • (2:45) UGA – Dillon Bell 3 yard run, Peyton Woodring kick (Drive: 6 plays, 40 yards, 2:49; Georgia 21–7)
Third quarter
  • (2:45) UGA – Dillon Bell 3 yard run, Peyton Woodring kick (Drive: 5 plays, 38 yards, 2:21; Georgia 28–7)
  • (4:23) UGA – Cash Jones 16 yard pass from Gunner Stockton, Peyton Woodring kick (Drive: 9 plays, 71 yards, 4:38; Georgia 35–7)
Fourth quarter
  • (1:51) UK – Kendrick Law 5 yard pass from Cutter Boley, Jacob Kauwe kick (Drive: 3 plays, 23 yards, 0:31; Georgia 35–14)
StatisticsUKUGA
First downs1926
Plays–yards64–27071–425
Rushes–yards22–4544–180
Passing yards225245
Passing: comp–att–int25–42–118–27–2
Turnovers22
Time of possession26:2033:40
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
KentuckyPassing Cutter Boley 25/41, 225 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
RushingSeth McGowan11 carries, 44 yards
Receiving Kendrick Law 6 receptions, 64 yards, 1 TD
GeorgiaPassing Gunner Stockton 15/23, 196 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Chauncey Bowens 15 carries, 70 yards
Receiving Dillon Bell 4 receptions, 68 yards

vs No. 21 Texas

No. 21 Texas Longhorns (4–2) vs Kentucky Wildcats (2–3) – Game summary
Quarter1234OTTotal
No. 21 Longhorns0733316
Wildcats00310013

at Kroger Field • Lexington, Kentucky

  • Date: October 18
  • Game time:  
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Dave Flemming (play-by-play), Brock Osweiler (analyst), and Stormy Buonantony (sideline)
Game information
First quarter
  • No scoring
Second quarter
  • (6:22) TEX – Quintrevion Wisner 1-yard run (Mason Shipley kick), (Drive: 3 plays, 5 yards, 0:46; Texas 7–0)
Third quarter
  • (4:09) UK – Jacob Kauwe 46-yard field goal (Drive: 15 plays, 53 yards, 8:44; Texas 7–3)
  • (2:05) TEX – Mason Shipley 53-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 40 yards, 2:04; Texas 10–3)
Fourth quarter
  • (12:04) UK – Cutter Boley 16-yard run (Jacob Kauwe kick), (Drive: 5 plays, 56 yards, 2:44; Tied 10–10)
  • (0:57) TEX – Mason Shipley 39-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 21 yards, 1:39; Texas 13–10)
  • (0:09) UK – Jacob Kauwe 45-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 46 yards, 0:42; Tied 13–13)
Overtime
  • TEX – Mason Shipley 45-yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, -2 yards; Texas 16–13)
StatisticsTEXUK
First downs826
Plays–yards55–17986–395
Rushes–yards28–4746–137
Passing yards132258
Passing: comp–att–int12–27–031–40–1
Turnovers01
Time of possession20:3739:23
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
TexasPassing Arch Manning 12/27, 132 yards
Rushing Quintrevion Wisner 12 carries, 37 yards, 1 TD
Receiving DeAndre Moore Jr. 3 receptions, 37 yards
KentuckyPassing Cutter Boley 31/39, 258 yards, 1 INT
RushingCutter Boley14 carries, 45 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingSeth McGowan7 receptions, 68 yards

vs No. 17 Tennessee (rivalry)

No. 17 Tennessee Volunteers (5–2) vs Kentucky Wildcats (2–4) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
No. 17 Volunteers0
Wildcats0

at Kroger Field • Lexington, Kentucky

  • Date: October 25
  • Game time:  
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers (SECN): Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (analyst), and Cole Cubelic (sideline)
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsTENNUK
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
TennesseePassing
Rushing
Receiving
KentuckyPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Auburn

Kentucky Wildcats (0–0) at Auburn Tigers (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Wildcats0
Tigers0

at Jordan-Hare StadiumAuburn, Alabama

  • Date: November 1
  • Game time:  
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers ( ):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsUKAUB
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
KentuckyPassing
Rushing
Receiving
AuburnPassing
Rushing
Receiving

vs Florida (rivalry)

Florida Gators (0–0) vs Kentucky Wildcats (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Gators0
Wildcats0

at Kroger Field • Lexington, Kentucky

  • Date: November 8
  • Game time:  
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers ( ):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsFLAUK
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
FloridaPassing
Rushing
Receiving
KentuckyPassing
Rushing
Receiving

vs Tennessee Tech (FCS)

Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles (FCS) (0–0) vs Kentucky Wildcats (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Golden Eagles (FCS)0
Wildcats0

at Kroger Field • Lexington, Kentucky

  • Date: November 15
  • Game time: 1:30 p.m.
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers (SECN+/ESPN+):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsTTUUK
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Tennessee TechPassing
Rushing
Receiving
KentuckyPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Vanderbilt (rivalry)

Kentucky Wildcats (0–0) at Vanderbilt Commodores (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Wildcats0
Commodores0

at FirstBank StadiumNashville, Tennessee

  • Date: November 22
  • Game time:  
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers ( ):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsUKVAN
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
KentuckyPassing
Rushing
Receiving
VanderbiltPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Louisville (Governor's Cup)

Kentucky Wildcats (0–0) at Louisville Cardinals (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Wildcats0
Cardinals0

at L&N Federal Credit Union StadiumLouisville, Kentucky

  • Date: November 29
  • Game time:  
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers ( ):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsUKLOU
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
KentuckyPassing
Rushing
Receiving
LouisvillePassing
Rushing
Receiving

References

  1. Meek, Vance (December 12, 2024). "Kentucky football schedule for 2025 has been released". UK Wildcats Wire. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
  2. "2025 Kentucky Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved December 20, 2024.