Mark Stoops didn’t hold back at SEC Media Days back in July, making it clear just how tough it is to survive and succeed in the SEC grind as he entered his 13th year leading the Kentucky football team.
Coming off a frustrating 4-8 campaign, Stoops acknowledged the pressure but doubled down on his commitment to keep swinging against one of the nation’s most brutal schedules.
With new offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan, transfer talent like Dante Dowdell and Seth McGowan, and veteran Zach Calzada at quarterback, the Wildcats were looking for ways to rebound.
That summer reminder still looms large as the season unfolds, with Stoops’ long-term stability on the sideline meeting another pivotal crossroads.
Now, comparisons are being drawn to the Wildcats’ surprising 2016 season, reported by On3, a year Stoops himself once admitted was make-or-break for his job security. After a 0-2 start, that Kentucky football team clawed its way to a 7-5 finish and a TaxSlayer Bowl bid, highlighted by a signature win at No. 11 Louisville.
Then, it was Stephen Johnson who stepped up at quarterback after an injury, while the three-headed backfield of Stanley “Boom” Williams, Benny Snell Jr., and Jojo Kemp carried the offense. Pros like Josh Allen and Mike Edwards anchored the defense.
Could 2025 be setting up for a similar turnaround? Cutter Boley is now stepping in for the injured Zach Calzada, with McGowan, Dowdell, and redshirt freshman Jason Patterson forming another dangerous backfield trio.
Stoops himself noted the similarities this week, praising Boley’s poise, accuracy on the move, and steady improvement in practice.
McGowan sits near the top of the SEC in rushing stats, Dowdell continues to flash game-breaking ability, and Patterson seized his opportunity with 80 yards and a score against Eastern Michigan.
It’s not just the offense, though. Stoops emphasized that the key remains physical play up front and a disciplined defense, just like 2016.
Kentucky fans know that year ended with seven wins and bragging rights over Louisville, and many would gladly take a repeat in 2025 if it means the Wildcats can get back on a stable footing in the SEC.
Looking further ahead, the future at quarterback also brings optimism. Commit Matt Ponatoski is lighting up high school defenses at Archbishop Moeller in Ohio, throwing for nearly 900 yards and 12 touchdowns in his first four games this fall.
Seen as one of the most accurate passers in the 2025 recruiting class, Ponatoski represents hope that Kentucky’s offense won’t just steady itself this year but also thrive in seasons to come.
