Cats tussle with Mother Nature, roll past Southern Miss in opener

Jeff Drummond • CatsIllustrated
Managing Editor
@JDrumUK



Kentucky's Barion Brown scored on an end-around in Saturday's 31-0 victory over Southern Miss. (Photo by Jeff Drummond/Cats Illustrated)

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- In one of the most unusual season openers in program history, Kentucky had to outlast both Mother Nature and Southern Miss on Saturday night at Kroger Field.

Kickoff was delayed for two hours and 10 minutes after frequent lightning strikes in the area kept the teams and fans anxiously waiting for their first taste of college football this season. The game was ultimately suspended just before midnight as another lightning strike drove the teams off the field with Kentucky leading 31-0.

The teams mutually agreed under NCAA rules that the game was complete with 9:56 remaining in the third quarter. All statistics are considered complete and final.

"A very strange situation there," Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops said. "I've been here 12 years and never been through the delays like that. I was proud of our team... the players handling that and coming out and playing relatively clean.

"Overall, just pleased with the operation."

(CONT)

And they look stupid

Serbia leading them early in fourth quarter.
Elimination game.
Geez …

Thought this was interesting.
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Top 25 most overrated programs based on preseason rankings and final rankings over the past 10 years:

1. Auburn
2. USC
3. Wisconsin
4. Texas A&M
5. LSU
6. Texas
7. Oregon
8. Oklahoma
9. Miami
10. Florida State
11. Clemson
12. Stanford
13. Michigan State
14. Georgia
15. UCLA
16. South Carolina
17. Alabama
17. Notre Dame
19. UNC
20. Ohio State
21. Washington
22. Iowa State
23. Nebraska
24. Arkansas
25. Michigan

More Importantly, Kentucky comes in as the 5th most underrated team in the last 10 years between preseason and final rankings

This is exactly what I wanna see from Hamden. Lots of motion and eye candy. QB option plays, some deep shots mixed in.
I believe we have better WR and offensive line than GT. Our guys could thrive in this.
They do have a boom speed back that I don’t think we have.

Anybody know if the ball cap Stoops wears that says Kentucky on the front of the bill is for sale anywhere?

Bringing a small group with me for the USC game. I was wondering with kickoff being 330 and us coming from Bowling Green what a good brunch spot for 3. I know Lexington will be busy on gamedays but we will arrive with plenty of time to kill.
I usually come alone so I hit the mall up a few hours and eat there shop and then go to campus. Bringing my Dad to his first football game and would like for it to be a nice memorable experience. I sat in the Florida section last year and it was awesome. Hopefully we get a SEC win for the home crowd. Go Cats...

Listened to first half of Stone Saunders first game. It’s halftime and BM is up 31-7. Don’t have official stats but think Stone had 2 TD’s and one was an 82 yard TD pass. Played a heck of a first half.

Mullins went through the seven schools in the mix and what his plans are for a decision.

Recruitment: “I think I cut it down a little bit, I’m not doing nine or 10 visits, I’m only doing six or seven.

Tennessee: “Their coaching staff, I feel like they’re one of a kind, they’re old school. They’re great people and they know how to win, and that’s definitely a big factor in it. I think that’s one of my later visits, so I’m just trying to see campus, they’re always bragging to me that it’s the nicest campus around. You’ve got to see where you’ll be living at for a couple of years.”

North Carolina: “Coach Davis, we stay in contact every once in a while. I was supposed to go on my visit with Malachi (Moreno), but he committed to UK so I think I’m going to go by myself. They’re definitely one of my schools because of the history of the program, they know how to win, and he said he can develop me. Player development is definitely key.”

Michigan: “I went on my unofficial visit a month or two ago and we did a lot of film during that visit, Coach May runs a lot of great sets. It all fits me, he runs a lot of stuff with the guards and he says he can play me off of anything, I’m not going to be just a shooter. That’s something to take into consideration and he’s built a good staff, I like everybody there.”

Duke: “Duke’s Duke, it’s that simple. Coach Scheyer is building something great over there. The history of that program and I also want to see that campus in person myself to see what it’s all about. I want to watch practice and just see how I can fit in.”

Kentucky: “I love the school and I love the coaches. Coach Pope is a great coach, I love him. I’ll get a FaceTime every once in a while from him and it’s always good to keep up with him. We also watched a lot of film when I went on my visit. There’s a statistics part of that, how I can develop, how I can get better, and how I fit in their offense. Me being the three-point shooter that I am, I can help them win games.”

UConn: “I enjoyed my official visit, it was definitely one of my better visits I had. With Coach Hurley it’s hard to come in as a program being back to back champs, and watching their practice and how he sets the tone every day, it’s like they want to keep winning. That’s definitely something to take into consideration, winning is definitely the biggest part for me, I want to win. He also told me I have the chance with my development to play at a higher level, so I have to take that into consideration as well. I love the school and I loved the visit as well.”

Indiana: “I’ve been there so many times, it’s close to home. I just don’t know if I want to stay home or not yet. That’s probably one of my best relationships built, I have spent a lot of time with that coaching staff. Coach Walsh is always texting and always calling and letting me know that I’m needed there. It’s hard to say no as an Indiana kid from there, he’s always bringing that up. I went a little bit ago and they’re changing their offense now so it’s something to look at, they’d been playing through the post a lot recently, but with guard play it fits myself as well.”

What’s Important: “I want to build the best relationship that I can with the coaches and I want to feel wanted. You’re spending a lot of time with those guys so you have to have a good relationship, so definitely the culture piece and the relationship piece. Player development, I want to get better, that’s always the goal for me.”

Decision Timeline: “I want to do it before our first game, which is November 26th I think. I think my last visit is October 26th, so between then and the first game.”

All 0.20 units below. BOL to others!

1. Colorado-NDSt over 60.5 points
2. FAU +14
3. SE Louisiana +27

Malachi Moreno received a crystal ball to Kentucky today from Travis Branham over at 247. Confidence level of 7.

Branham: "I think Kentucky has solidified themselves as the leader and things sound to be heading more and more in favor of the Wildcats to keep the in-state star home.”

Good morning, HOB. Happy to report I’m back over at the JCFTC today for our coverage of today’s practice. The Cats are slated to wrap up around 11:45 am, and we’ll be talking to offensive coaches and players as per usual on Tuesdays. Stay tuned for the latest news and notes…

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OC BUSH HAMDAN Q&A:

* On first day in pads… Physical day, nice job up front. Always room to grow, but they've had a physical camp so far.

* On Gavin Wimsatt and possibility of getting two QBs on the field... Thinks there's a chance of that. You could see during the last practice a lot of things he can do. He could be one of their best ballcarriers. It's up to them to be creative with him. Have to come up with a package he can execute.

* On having important games early in the season... From a staff standpoint, have to stay ahead of your self-scouts, have a lot of gameplan in so that you can work on it more toward the end of camp.

* On the NCAA rules allowing more work with the team in the summer... Huge. They have some good staffers who have helped them max out that time, guys who could be position coaches at other schools. Getting good one-on-one work with position groups.

* On Fred Farrier at WR.... Not really a surprise. One of those guys who doesn't get mentioned a lot, so he just puts his head down and goes to work. Proud of him. Situation may not be exactly what he wants it to be right now, but he goes out and works like he's a No. 1 WR.

* On the helmet comms and tablets... Can be a huge plus. Have to learn how to be efficient with it. Work in progress. Going to try to get more of a trial run with it this Saturday. Video can be a game-changer during games. But we all know what tablets can do to us in our personal lives, so we have to be careful with it. (laughs)

* On RB Jason Patterson... Similar to Farrier in his work ethic. Guy would be in his office in his pads at 6 o'clock at night after getting extra work in. Could be a game-changer for them if he keeps pushing like a lot of these other young guys.

* On TE Khamari Anderson... All the ability in the world, size, athleticism. It's going to take consistency. But he's a guy they're really looking forward to getting going this year.

*****

TE COACH VINCE MARROW Q&A:

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* Great thing about TE group this year is the competition level, they will determine a lot of what personnel groups the offense will be in.

* Really impressed with Rodriguez early on. Does not look like a freshman. Looks better than some of the older guys, physically.

* Anderson is 6-5, 254, probably running a 4.58 right now. Comes from that Cass Tech program that produced some of their good guys like Square and Walker. Kinda of a prototype NFL TE.

* Marrow says he shoulda played Kattus more even earlier last season. Wanted to give older guys a chance first. But with Willie, he may have to just throw him out there if he's competing with the other guys. The older guys know they have to get it going or he'll play.

* On the connection between Brock Vandagriff and the TEs... Made some good 3rd downs with Dingle today. Has made some to Anderson, too.

* On early thoughts of BVG at QB... Impressed. Reminds him a lot of Will Levis. Put in a ton of work with WRs in the summer. Potential is there. Gotta keep getting reps.

* People forget Wimsatt is a guy who has started 17 games and had a chance to beat Ohio State. Really liked him out of HS but thinks he looks even better now. "We've never had a QB room like this before."

* On what he learns from his guys on first days in full pads... They better be tough, or they'll be over with me on the sideline.

*****

WRs FRED FARRIER & DANE KEY, TE KHAMARI ANDERSON:

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* Farrior said fans should be excited about that WR room this year. A lot of potential for explosive plays.

* On BVG... On point. Perfect timing. Really likes how he takes charge and directs the offense.

* On working like he's the No. 1 WR... Admits he had a chip on his shoulder when he first got here because people really didn't talkmuch about him. Trying to show what he's all about. That requires putting in a lot of work away from the practice field.

* Likes going against JQ Hardaway a lot in practice, the taller DBs in general, guys he feels like he'll face a lot in games. WRs and DBs really pushing each other hard.

* Dane Key says getting the full pads on really brings out the competition, a little more smack between the offense and defense.

* Getting bigger was a big key for him in the offseason. Played around 185 last year. Now up to 210. Adjustment at first, but he can be more physical now, getting off the line of scrimmage or blocking or fighting for the ball at the catch point. "I feel like I can play my best football at this weight."

* Loves Coach Shorts. Keeps it 100% honest. Will tell you what you need to hear, good or bad. Pushing them to keep getting better. Holds them accountable. They have grown their relationship over the last few months.

* Key on Farrier: "He's a baller."

* On learning more about BVG.... The guy is always in the building, trying to get better. The guy you want as your QB.

* Anderson on having full pads on... You find out who wants to be physical. I'm trying to be one of those guys. Gotta love the game on days like this.

* On camp so far... Working on physicality in run game.

* Expects to play a lot this year and will do whatever it takes to get on the field. "I just really want to win."

* On BVG... Building a relationship with him on and off the field. Went to church together recently. On the field, likes how he's in total control of the offense. Off the field, says "he's good at all the white boy sports, pickleball." LOL Is he going to learn to hunt and fish with Brock? "I'm from Detroit. We don't do no hunting." (laughs)