The wait for football is nearly over, and this morning truly feels like it. With temperatures dipping into the 40s across the Bluegrass, fans are getting their first real taste of crisp football weather. Step outside, feel the chill, and soak in the excitement it’s finally here.
Equally exciting is the return to game-week routines. On Monday, Mark Stoops met with the media twice, first during his weekly press conference and later on his evening call-in show. His updates set the tone for the week ahead as we shift focus to today’s schedule, highlighted by remarks from offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan and the long-awaited reopening of KSBar and Grille.
Monday also delivered its share of news and headlines. The first official game-week brought a busy slate of updates, with more than 20 posts covering team developments, storylines, and early buzz. If you missed any of it, here’s a quick rundown to catch you up before diving into the week’s action.
Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops officially named Zach Calzada the team’s starting quarterback, while still voicing strong confidence in Cutter Boley, who impressed with a late surge in fall camp. On his radio show, Stoops hinted that Boley’s time will come, saying, “It’s just a matter of when.”
One of the bigger surprises from the first depth chart came on special teams. Ty Bryant, typically known for his defensive role at safety, earned the job as Kentucky’s primary punt returner. Wide receiver Troy Stellato will back him up. The move marks a change from last season, when Ja’Mori Maclin handled most of those duties.
Stoops explained that Bryant’s unique athletic background gave him an edge. With experience in baseball, Bryant has developed sharp tracking skills, which help him locate and adjust to the ball in the air a valuable asset for a punt returner in the SEC.
Like the fans, Mark Stoops is eager for kickoff on Saturday. He admitted he’s ready to trade words for action, saying, “You’re tired of hearing me talk, and I’m tired of talking…If we want to change the narrative, then we have to go play well, and our performance will dictate what’s said about us.”
Special teams were also a talking point on the first depth chart. Jacob Kauwe is currently listed as Kentucky’s starting kicker, though Stoops emphasized on his radio show that the job isn’t locked down. He noted that he wants to see greater consistency from the redshirt freshman before finalizing the decision.
That leaves the door open for senior Zach Schriener, who remains in the mix as a reliable option. While Kauwe may have the edge heading into Week 1, Stoops made it clear that performance in practice and in games will ultimately determine who handles kicking duties long term.
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