Kentucky football’s 2025 season starts Saturday.
The actual bowl streak is gone. Snapped after eight years. Saturday solidified it. Kentucky lost 31-14 at No. 3 Texas. Nothing unexpected. An 18-point underdog, the Wildcats lost by 17. Mark Stoops’ team is 4-7. What’s done is done. Put it in the rearview. Time to look to the future.
The future starts Saturday. The Governor’s Cup is Kentucky’s bowl game. Archrival Louisville visits Kroger Field for a noon game on the SEC Network. Jeff Brohm’s Cardinals will arrive with a chip on their wings. They’ve dropped five straight to UK. That includes 2023, when No. 9-ranked U of L was upset 38-31 by the Cats in the ‘Ville.
One streak gone, Kentucky would love to extend another. That’s one motivation for the season finale. Here’s another: It’s a long offseason. Longer when you lose. This Kentucky team desperately needs a win to propel it into next season.
Stoops isn’t going anywhere. Told some dissatisfied fans believe he should cash in his chips and enjoy life, he replied, “There’s zero chance of that.” He doesn’t strike me as a guy who walks away after a losing season. Not in his DNA. And despite what you might think, despite the current record, there is hope for 2025.
Start with Cutter Boley, who should be UK’s Saturday starter at quarterback. The true freshman has played the entire second half each of the last two weeks. He was impressive in both. Showing out against Murray State is one thing. The Racers are among the worst teams in the FCS. Making plays against Texas is another. The Longhorns are among the best in the FBS.
Now add Jamarion Wilcox, a quick-footed running back who runs bigger than his 5-foot-10, 197-pound frame. Add Willie Gonzalez, a tight end with talent. Add Hardley Gilmore IV, a wide receiver who has made big plays since his debut was delayed by injury. Like Boley, all are freshmen.
It’s imperative the staff adds strong pieces around those promising players. The offensive line might be in for another total rebuild. Not ideal, but it’s necessary. And UK won’t be alone. Stoops himself said last week every NFL scout he talks to is searching for the same thing: offensive linemen. Everyone’s digging for gold.
