Kentucky scores 24-16 opening win against Toledo

Transfer running back Dante Dowdell rushed for 129 yards and a touchdown to lead Kentucky to a 24-16 win over Toledo on Saturday in a season opener.

Dowdell’s 79-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter gave the Wildcats the boost they needed to fend off the Rockets in the fourth quarter.

Kentucky quarterback Zack Calzada, a seventh-year transfer, threw for 85 yards and scored a rushing touchdown in the first quarter. Calzada is one of 55 new players on the Wildcats’ roster, including 27 that were added via the transfer portal during the offseason.

Dowdell, a Nebraska transfer, and Seth McGowen, also a transfer (New Mexico State), combined for 207 yards rushing. Kentucky finished with 305 yards of offense.

Toledo’s Tucker Gleason threw for a game-high 270 yards. He threw for one score and rushed for another in the fourth quarter.

Kentucky’s Alex Afari, a converted linebacker, finished with a career-high 13 tackles, including nine solos, one sack and a pair of tackles for a loss. He had a clinching tackle on a goal-line stand in the first half.

Kentucky hosts No. 21 Mississippi next Saturday.



(AP Photo Michael Swensen)