Kroger Field - Lexington, Ky
Even with some significant player departures, the Wildcats have good reason to enter 2019 on an optimistic note. Standing in their way for a positive start is a Toledo Rockets team that also seeks a good start to what could be a very successful season. Preseason polls predicted UT would reach the MAC championship game. Toledo doesn’t need to beat Kentucky to get there, but a Rockets win would certainly be considered an impressive launch to 2019.
ABOUT KENTUCKY
➤➤ UK returns 10 starters (4 offense, 4 defense, 2 special teams) and 42 letterwinners.
➤➤ Two key losses - one on each side of the ball -- are remarkable. The departed include 2018 Chuck Bednarik Award winner (LB) Josh Allen and all-time leading rusher Benny Snell Jr.
➤➤ Junior quarterback Terry Wilson is back after completing 67.2 percent of his passes last year. His 180 completions produced 1,889 yards and 11 TDs (against eight INTs). Wilson was also second among UK rushers with 135 carries for 547 yards andfour scores.
➤➤ Tight end C.J. Conrad and Tavin Richardson (transfer) are gone. However, Lynn Bowden Jr. returns after leading UK with 67 catches for 745 yards and five TDs. Several other possibilities could step up, especially if they provide the Wildcats with any kind of downfield threat.
➤➤ The running game will be minus the efforts of Snell, junior Asim Rose (442 yards, 5 TDs) is back after averaging 6.2 ypc last year. There’s enough experienced talent along the front line to open some holes for Rose or other backs.
➤➤ Junior Quinton Bohanna anchors the defensive line, while JUCO transfer Marquez Bembry hopes to move into Allen’s former linebacking spot. Senior Kash Daniel’s experience should help at the second level.
Another JUCO transfer, Quandre Mosely, could help along a back line that includes safety Davonte Robinson.
ABOUT TOLEDO
➤➤ The Rockets return 14 starters (7 offense, 5 defense, 2 special teams) and 50 letterwinners.
➤➤ Replacing receivers Diontae Johnson, Jon’Vea Johnson and Cody Thompson might be the biggest challenge for UT this year. They combined for 129 catches, 2,058 yards and 17 TDs. Desmond Phllips recorded 27 receptions for 220 yards in 2018.
➤➤ Toledo actually has two nice options at quarterback.
Senior quarterback Mitchell Guadagni has the talent to stir the pot. As a passer, he completed 69 of 120 pass attempts (557.5%), good for 1,053 yards with 13 TDs and three picks. Junior Eli Peters also saw plenty of action in 2018. His numbers included 146 completions for 1,837 yards with 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
➤➤ Bryant Koback and Shakif Seymour give UT a solid one-two punch from the running back position.
➤➤ Toledo will be trying to step it up a notch or two on defense after allowing 30.5 ppg (8th MAC) last year.
➤➤ DB Khalil Robinson recorded 69 tackles and one interception last year. Jamal Hines came off the D-line for 49 tackles with 9.0 tfl and 4.0 sacks.
For more on the Rockets, see the complete season preview HERE