Comments from Stoops today

[Rhavicc]

Overall, I agree with this. Towles did a good job, he just missed his mark a few times. 2 times the ball hit a receiver in the hands, and the receiver dropped it, but overall, he fixed a lot of things that I wanted him to fix. Just needs to be more consistent.


He not only said that the issue with Jordan Jones was a simple fix, he said that the defensive woes that UK had against the run, in the case of Saturday, are a simple fix. Was a case of the younger players that were on the field being in the wrong position, with Jordan Jones allowing big gains in 2 scenarios (one of those off a wheel route to McGuire, the other being in the entirely wrong spot on defense).
Stoops has not been one to sugar coat things while he has been here. He says it's a simple fix, he knows his defense, I trust that it's a simple fix.


This is huge for a lot of reasons. Having a RB like Boom, our ability to run well on the outside will be magnified because of the receivers' ability to block. Only allows for more explosive plays on offense. I also want to credit Dorian Baker for making a game-winning block, out of the receivers who did so.


Overall, not bad. ULL definitely made it a point to pick on him though. Freshman offensive tackles don't like to see 4 players showing blitz on their side of the LOS, with one defensive tackle hitting the B gap, and 2 other players hitting their C gap. Stressful situation to be in, but a good one, nonetheless. I wouldn't change a thing, it's a learning experience for him, and a good one. Solid coaching material.


In other words: We're going to pound the football some more. Needed to run the ball more in last game, will likely do it in this upcoming game. Boom Williams will probably run the ball 15-20 times (he came out in the second run of the game because he got banged up on a play, still ran the ball 10 times though), but Mikel Horton also earned reps in this game. Need to get Horton the ball 15-20 times as well. I'd like to see UK run the ball 35-45 times per game, and pass the ball 40 times per game. We certainly have the guys to do it.

 

[Rhavicc]

Really neat statistic here. A testament to how big it was to have Conrad on the field blocking in this game, may also explain why he wasn't playing as much of a pass-catching role in this game, among other reasons. I also want to credit him for making the game winning block (along with Dorian Baker and Will Tom Collins). Marrow is doing a terrific job coaching these TE's and receivers into blocking. For those of you wondering about throwing the ball to Conrad though, Stoops said himself, Conrad will catch a lot of footballs here.


Other words: We're going to be practicing the read-option a lot, will key on their star player. More read-option practice is good practice.


Sounds like Stoops has more coaching material for another one of our young linebackers. Ware will be alright, just needs to be in the right position, and he'll be working on that all week.


Which means some of you all should be as well. I am. 2 years ago, this is a game that Kentucky would have lost, and I'm not sure that it's close. I'm proud of the team's resolve, and I'm damn proud of how UK performed in the first half. Shows what this team can do when it's hot.

 

[CCSteamRoller]

This team made lots of mistakes, but they will be corrected. If Towles can get his head straight and start consistently hitting his receivers in stride like I hear he does in practice, this team will have a good year.

 

[aikenite4uk]

Towles didn't play as poorly as many on this overly negative board would have you believe, but he was wildly inconsistent. What bothered me was how he seemed to lose confidence in the second half and was aiming the ball instead of cutting it loose. He needs to display more swagger and confidence. He has the physical tools to get the job done, but he needs more of a Bill Ransdell attitude out there...if I may go with an old school example.