
Kentucky football coach Mark Stoops talks transfer portal, recruiting
University of Kentucky head football coach Mark Stoops says “having a few resources helps” when getting players through the transfer portal.
LEXINGTON — Toledo faced two power-conference opponents last season. It went 2-0, mauling Mississippi State (41-17) on the road in September and then outlasting Pittsburgh, 48-46, in six overtimes in the GameAbove Sports Bowl in December.
The Rockets try for their third consecutive victory over a Power Four foe today, taking on Kentucky football at Kroger Field in the 2025 season opener for both teams.
“They’re no joke,” Ty Bryant, UK’s starting strong safety and punt returner, said of Toledo. “They’re no joke at all.”
Mark Stoops is well aware of the Rockets’ reputation. Entering his 13th season as the Wildcats‘ coach, Stoops has faced Toledo once previously: Kentucky earned a 38-24 win in Lexington in 2019.
Yet despite his upbringing in Youngstown, Ohio, and frequent visits to his home state on the recruiting trail, Stoops admits he doesn’t have a tight bond with Toledo coach Jason Candle.
But Stoops has nothing but respect for his counterpart, whose next triumph will make him the Rockets‘ all-time winningest coach, with 74 victories.
“Him and (the) vast majority of his staff go all the way back to Mount Union,” Stoops said, referring to the Division III titan with a record 13 national titles to its name, “and they’re a bunch of winners. They’ve won a lot of games. They’ve won championships.
“He’s been there a long time. … They’re obviously doing a very good job.”
The Courier Journal is bringing you live updates, scores and highlights from the game. Follow along.
- Date: Saturday, Aug. 30
- Time: 12:45 p.m. ET
- Where: Kroger Field; Lexington
Here is Kentucky’s schedule and results:
- Game 1 — Aug. 30: Toledo, 12:45 p.m., SEC Network (Watch on Fubo)
- Game 2 — Sept. 6: Ole Miss, 3:30 p.m., ABC (Watch on Fubo)
- Game 3 — Sept. 13: Eastern Michigan, 7:30 p.m., ESPNU (Watch on Fubo)
- Game 4 — Sept. 27: at South Carolina, TBA
- Game 5 — Oct. 4: at Georgia, noon, ABC or ESPN (Watch on Fubo)
- Game 6 — Oct. 18: Texas, TBA
- Game 7 — Oct. 25: Tennessee, TBA
- Game 8 — Nov. 1: at Auburn, TBA
- Game 9 — Nov. 8: Florida, TBA
- Game 10 — Nov. 15: Tennessee Tech, 1:30 p.m. ESPN+ or SEC Network+ (Watch on ESPN+)
- Game 11 — Nov. 22: at Vanderbilt, TBA
- Game 12 — Nov. 29: at Louisville, TBA
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.