Here's what I saw last night

[gamecockcat]

1. A team that was woefully unprepared. Most of Sherons passes in first half didn't cross the LOS. Obviously, you don't want him throwing it all over the yard but that game plan had no chance of succeeding. None. Shouldn't both backup QBs have a small set of passing plays that they've perfected and can run in their sleep (or coming in cold from the sideline)? Sheron and Hogan should have their own set of basic pass plays that suit their skills. Staff had all of spring and fall practice and 6 weeks of the season to give Sheron enough tools to be effective and failed. Defense in 2nd half showed no discipline, no heart, little effort.
2. The first play was the absolute wrong call, even with Levis at QB. The TD pass to Dingle or something along those lines would've been the perfect play to surprise USC. I like going against the trend for that first play but not that one. A play action seam to TR or a TE would've been nice, also.
3. Our passing game needs to be shortened. Way too many plays take forever to develop. We need more 3-step, get the ball out quick types of plays. We cannot continue to give up 5 sacks a game.
4. So tired of watching 3 295+ lb DL attempt a pass rush. On running plays, they are supposed to occupy blockers so the LBs can make tackles. But, on passing plays, they are supposed to pressure the QB. I see no other good team in CFB do this unless it's a Georgia or OSU who have 5*, NFL ready DL. Every other team has smaller DL or several LBs on obvious passing downs. And, why in heaven do more than half of out blitzes come inside where our huge DL are clogging things up and render blitzes impotent.
5. We put no pressure on the QB AND play soft zone. Isn't that just conceding every short pass? I know bend, don't break. But, you can't just concede 8-10 yards on every pass while giving the QB 5 seconds to throw.
6. ST continue to haunt us.
7. Running game looked better as the backs averaged almost 6 ypc. Sacks greatly reduced rushing stats but OL did OK in rushing game.
8. Protection problems abound. Too many OL are off balance. Plays take too long to develop. OL miss assignments too frequently, especially if DL stunts. Last night, Sheron would not step up, but kept backpedaling into the oncoming rush. That's poor preparation.
9. After playing poorly, we were tied at halftime. Came out flat and didn't seem to make any adjustments and let Beamer outcoach us. Think about that one.

 

[Kybluedude]

As hard as that is to read it’s correct. Very well stated.
But, I think if Will played we win and the D plays better.

 

[MrHotDice]

As hard as that is to read it’s correct. Very well stated.
But, I think if Will played we win and the D plays better.

That’s the problem. Teams that fall apart after losing one player will never be successful. How do you ever come into a SEC game and not be focused? Why no sense of urgency the entire second half? Who are the leaders on this team? This team has no identity on offense or defense. Stoops still thinks that winning 20-14 is a good thing. How do you ever prepare your backups if you think that way? Their are good reasons why you play as weak a team that you can play to prepare your players for SEC play. IMHO, the red shirt freshman from Somerset was not prepared but it wasn’t his fault. He wasn’t given a chance to show anything when he had gone all season without playing a down.

 

[ThunderMash]

I'll tack on since I was at the game yesterday. I'll speak more on the atmosphere.

1. One of the strangest atmospheres I've ever seen at Kroger Field. It was like a collective deflation once everyone knew how this thing was gonna go. Place was electric, then it completely changed after the first play. Only 2/3 "loud" moments after that. Second quarter was mostly dead.

2. Cat Walk was also odd. It was like people were scared to show emotions there. Never seen it like that.

3. I looked up at the beginning of the game, saw a full moon, and instantly got an ill feeling.

4. Kroger Field started emptying in the third quarter, which isn't unusual for cupcake opponents. But I haven't seen a packed house go to a ghost town so fast.

5. Almost everyone knew Ruffalo was gonna miss that FG. All we could do was shrug.

Maybe some others feel differently than me, but a few guys I know said the same thing. Ominous, really.

 

[mrschwump]

It was inevitable the program would take a step back from the past few years, everybody does except Top 5 teams. Was expecting it just didn't know when. What's happened here however, has been quicker and much deeper than I imagined. Several reasons of course, but it basically comes down to recruiting and coaching. UK hasn't recruited well the past 2-3 years especially in both lines. Go back and look at OL recruiting the past 3 years, pretty abysmal(yes, I know UK has a 5* OT everybody and their uncle wanted holding down the bench). Head scratcher. The coaching staff has been gutted and not satisfactorily restocked. I don't care if the OC/OL coaches came from the SF 49ers or the SF Pop Warner League, they aren't getting it done. So now what? Simply put, it's time, well past time, these coaches and players remove their collective heads from their collective assess and play football. Stop killing yourself with mistakes and make winning football plays. Do they have it in themselves? We're about to find out.

 

[sluggercatfan]

I'll tack on since I was at the game yesterday. I'll speak more on the atmosphere.

1. One of the strangest atmospheres I've ever seen at Kroger Field. It was like a collective deflation once everyone knew how this thing was gonna go. Place was electric, then it completely changed after the first play. Only 2/3 "loud" moments after that. Second quarter was mostly dead.

2. Cat Walk was also odd. It was like people were scared to show emotions there. Never seen it like that.

3. I looked up at the beginning of the game, saw a full moon, and instantly got an ill feeling.

4. Kroger Field started emptying in the third quarter, which isn't unusual for cupcake opponents. But I haven't seen a packed house go to a ghost town so fast.

5. Almost everyone knew Ruffalo was gonna miss that FG. All we could do was shrug.

Maybe some others feel differently than me, but a few guys I know said the same thing. Ominous, really.

Always there and this is spot on. Thought it was going tobe an electric, but after gift wrapping their first 7 everything totally changed. Once again our HC's attitude about scoring came to the fore front . We had scored 7 points the entire game an when we went down ten midway thru the 3rd it was like we were playing with lead. Absolutely no urgency about scoring whatsoever. Disappointing and don't imagine it'll ever change.

 

[sambowieshin]

I'll tack on since I was at the game yesterday. I'll speak more on the atmosphere.

1. One of the strangest atmospheres I've ever seen at Kroger Field. It was like a collective deflation once everyone knew how this thing was gonna go. Place was electric, then it completely changed after the first play. Only 2/3 "loud" moments after that. Second quarter was mostly dead.

2. Cat Walk was also odd. It was like people were scared to show emotions there. Never seen it like that.

3. I looked up at the beginning of the game, saw a full moon, and instantly got an ill feeling.

4. Kroger Field started emptying in the third quarter, which isn't unusual for cupcake opponents. But I haven't seen a packed house go to a ghost town so fast.

5. Almost everyone knew Ruffalo was gonna miss that FG. All we could do was shrug.

Maybe some others feel differently than me, but a few guys I know said the same thing. Ominous, really.

Seeing Levis was not going to play took a lot of the buzz out of the crowd. Can't say I wasn't one of them that felt semi hopeless after the first play. It was a good crowd until the third quarter for as badly as we played.

 

[catinvegas61]

Very good post. I agree with everything you said. Here's my opinion on a few things.
That first play was the dumbest play call I
can ever recall..why wouldn't we come out and pound Rodriguez up the middle for a few 1st downs, and get Sheron comfortable. Let him get a feel for the game. That play just deflated the entire team.
Also why didn't we try to air it out deep, I know the OL is a major, major disappointment, but we have hit the deep ball better this year. When you hear, watch what
SC's opponents had done to the SC defense, it's a really disappointing we couldn't get the job done.

I don't think we were prepared, that's 100%
on the coaches, including Stoops.
I love the man, but this year has been a disaster.
I have been worried about our DL all year as well, I thought that our DL would dominate this year. The lack of a pass rush is particularly
what is surprising to me.
Hopefully we can turn these issues around,
Hopefully we come out ready to play against
MS ST. If bit it's going to be a long night.
Their QB Roger's is the real deal.
Hopefully Levis us back, but we'll see.
I've been watching UK for 50 years.
Keep the faith, and just be careful about all the negative posts. Even though this
was a horrible game for UK.
Go Big Blue

 

[yoshukai]

1. A team that was woefully unprepared. Most of Sherons passes in first half didn't cross the LOS. Obviously, you don't want him throwing it all over the yard but that game plan had no chance of succeeding. None. Shouldn't both backup QBs have a small set of passing plays that they've perfected and can run in their sleep (or coming in cold from the sideline)? Sheron and Hogan should have their own set of basic pass plays that suit their skills. Staff had all of spring and fall practice and 6 weeks of the season to give Sheron enough tools to be effective and failed. Defense in 2nd half showed no discipline, no heart, little effort.
2. The first play was the absolute wrong call, even with Levis at QB. The TD pass to Dingle or something along those lines would've been the perfect play to surprise USC. I like going against the trend for that first play but not that one. A play action seam to TR or a TE would've been nice, also.
3. Our passing game needs to be shortened. Way too many plays take forever to develop. We need more 3-step, get the ball out quick types of plays. We cannot continue to give up 5 sacks a game.
4. So tired of watching 3 295+ lb DL attempt a pass rush. On running plays, they are supposed to occupy blockers so the LBs can make tackles. But, on passing plays, they are supposed to pressure the QB. I see no other good team in CFB do this unless it's a Georgia or OSU who have 5*, NFL ready DL. Every other team has smaller DL or several LBs on obvious passing downs. And, why in heaven do more than half of out blitzes come inside where our huge DL are clogging things up and render blitzes impotent.
5. We put no pressure on the QB AND play soft zone. Isn't that just conceding every short pass? I know bend, don't break. But, you can't just concede 8-10 yards on every pass while giving the QB 5 seconds to throw.
6. ST continue to haunt us.
7. Running game looked better as the backs averaged almost 6 ypc. Sacks greatly reduced rushing stats but OL did OK in rushing game.
8. Protection problems abound. Too many OL are off balance. Plays take too long to develop. OL miss assignments too frequently, especially if DL stunts. Last night, Sheron would not step up, but kept backpedaling into the oncoming rush. That's poor preparation.
9. After playing poorly, we were tied at halftime. Came out flat and didn't seem to make any adjustments and let Beamer outcoach us. Think about that one.

#7 ….It’s a crime that after running for 97 first half yards , Crod got SIX 2nd half carries. Just the fact we had only 25 carries as a team was ridiculous against a team ranked 101st in rushing defense ESPECIALLY with an unproven quarterback. Scan shit the bed on that one . One reason we were “behind the chains” was because of the BONEHEADED first down calls . When you have a struggling offensive line you don’t call passing plays or east/west zone blocking schemes . Keep it simple stupid!

 

[gamecockcat]

#7 ….It’s a crime that after running for 97 first half yards , Crod got SIX 2nd half carries. Just the fact we had only 25 carries as a team was ridiculous against a team ranked 101st in rushing defense ESPECIALLY with an unproven quarterback. Scan shit the bed on that one . One reason we were “behind the chains” was because of the BONEHEADED first down calls . When you have a struggling offensive line you don’t call passing plays or east/west zone blocking schemes . Keep it simple stupid!

Agree to a certain point. Had multiple motion penalties that put us at 1st and 15, which is a tough spot to run from. Couple that with the vast majority of our 'passing attack' occurred within 3 yards of the LOS and USC defense put 8 or more in the box in the second half so we couldn't run effectively. At least that's the way I saw it.

 

[ManitouDan]

I'll tack on since I was at the game yesterday. I'll speak more on the atmosphere.

1. One of the strangest atmospheres I've ever seen at Kroger Field. It was like a collective deflation once everyone knew how this thing was gonna go. Place was electric, then it completely changed after the first play. Only 2/3 "loud" moments after that. Second quarter was mostly dead.

2. Cat Walk was also odd. It was like people were scared to show emotions there. Never seen it like that.

3. I looked up at the beginning of the game, saw a full moon, and instantly got an ill feeling.

4. Kroger Field started emptying in the third quarter, which isn't unusual for cupcake opponents. But I haven't seen a packed house go to a ghost town so fast.

5. Almost everyone knew Ruffalo was gonna miss that FG. All we could do was shrug.

Maybe some others feel differently than me, but a few guys I know said the same thing. Ominous, really.

Pretty accurate .. The atmosphere and the pulse of the entire place was just off. I think everyone expected Levis to play . He showed no sign at all of injury at ole Miss . Finished the game fine . No limp . Nothing . Then the next week he cant suit up . Another bizarre story in the history of Ky football.

 

[23jumpboy]

Pretty accurate .. The atmosphere and the pulse of the entire place was just off. I think everyone expected Levis to play . He showed no sign at all of injury at ole Miss . Finished the game fine . No limp . Nothing . Then the next week he cant suit up . Another bizarre story in the history of Ky football.

1. A team that was woefully unprepared. Most of Sherons passes in first half didn't cross the LOS. Obviously, you don't want him throwing it all over the yard but that game plan had no chance of succeeding. None. Shouldn't both backup QBs have a small set of passing plays that they've perfected and can run in their sleep (or coming in cold from the sideline)? Sheron and Hogan should have their own set of basic pass plays that suit their skills. Staff had all of spring and fall practice and 6 weeks of the season to give Sheron enough tools to be effective and failed. Defense in 2nd half showed no discipline, no heart, little effort.
2. The first play was the absolute wrong call, even with Levis at QB. The TD pass to Dingle or something along those lines would've been the perfect play to surprise USC. I like going against the trend for that first play but not that one. A play action seam to TR or a TE would've been nice, also.
3. Our passing game needs to be shortened. Way too many plays take forever to develop. We need more 3-step, get the ball out quick types of plays. We cannot continue to give up 5 sacks a game.
4. So tired of watching 3 295+ lb DL attempt a pass rush. On running plays, they are supposed to occupy blockers so the LBs can make tackles. But, on passing plays, they are supposed to pressure the QB. I see no other good team in CFB do this unless it's a Georgia or OSU who have 5*, NFL ready DL. Every other team has smaller DL or several LBs on obvious passing downs. And, why in heaven do more than half of out blitzes come inside where our huge DL are clogging things up and render blitzes impotent.
5. We put no pressure on the QB AND play soft zone. Isn't that just conceding every short pass? I know bend, don't break. But, you can't just concede 8-10 yards on every pass while giving the QB 5 seconds to throw.
6. ST continue to haunt us.
7. Running game looked better as the backs averaged almost 6 ypc. Sacks greatly reduced rushing stats but OL did OK in rushing game.
8. Protection problems abound. Too many OL are off balance. Plays take too long to develop. OL miss assignments too frequently, especially if DL stunts. Last night, Sheron would not step up, but kept backpedaling into the oncoming rush. That's poor preparation.
9. After playing poorly, we were tied at halftime. Came out flat and didn't seem to make any adjustments and let Beamer outcoach us. Think about that one.

And if I can add one more horrible thing to observe: us down 10 points and still milking the play clock down on every play as if we were up 10. Why???

 

[sligocat92]

Why not more of the wildcat with CRod taking the snaps

 

[HerrosHeroes]

I'll tack on since I was at the game yesterday. I'll speak more on the atmosphere.

1. One of the strangest atmospheres I've ever seen at Kroger Field. It was like a collective deflation once everyone knew how this thing was gonna go. Place was electric, then it completely changed after the first play. Only 2/3 "loud" moments after that. Second quarter was mostly dead.

2. Cat Walk was also odd. It was like people were scared to show emotions there. Never seen it like that.

3. I looked up at the beginning of the game, saw a full moon, and instantly got an ill feeling.

4. Kroger Field started emptying in the third quarter, which isn't unusual for cupcake opponents. But I haven't seen a packed house go to a ghost town so fast.

5. Almost everyone knew Ruffalo was gonna miss that FG. All we could do was shrug.

Maybe some others feel differently than me, but a few guys I know said the same thing. Ominous, really.

Typical UK football really. We are cursed and Ive told you guys so. Last night reiterated my stance.
UK should have given the Bear a Cadillac as well.

 

[yoshukai]

Agree to a certain point. Had multiple motion penalties that put us at 1st and 15, which is a tough spot to run from. Couple that with the vast majority of our 'passing attack' occurred within 3 yards of the LOS and USC defense put 8 or more in the box in the second half so we couldn't run effectively. At least that's the way I saw it.

The motion penalties hurt for sure , but for the first time , I’m starting to question what we have in coach Scan .

 

[K_TIME]

I sort of think you're reaching on some of the points

1. UK ran the ball down USC throat at will in first half with 8 in the box....just like the old days. The D was all over Rattler and throttled USC hurry up/ Auburn copy cat offense system. The wheels fell off in 2nd half and it is what it is. But Sheron was not ready for the moment. Call it un-prepared...I get it. But our backup QB isn't very good and that is on coaches and not keeping Beau Allen around. But Levis plays and that 8 man in box crap is much harder with Brown, Tayvion and Key iso on outside.
2. Yes the first play was bad call. Once the safety crowded the LOS and was lurking un accounted for on that edge...Sheron needed to get us out of the play or CRod needed to see it and just duck his head and get what he could w.o handoff. It was a disaster play and we had to grind it out to tie it up.
3. Agreed...we need to throw shorter routes 75% of the passes. Scangerello has been stubborn to adjust and/or coach QBs to throw it away. Many of the sacks are on the QBs not seeing pressure and getting to hot routes.
4. This is what you get with the 3-4 defense. Those 3 DL are there to mainly muck up the run game and get you to third down....which we did quite well. The problem for UK is on passing downs Wright has never been a good edge rusher and Weaver is having a bad year (probably the elbow is still a problem).
5. It's sort of our scheme...and again...USC only scored 24 pts and 7 was stupid TO to start the game. So we played well enough to win on defense IMO
6. Very true...>Stoops needs to just hire a special teams coach. It would have been nice to be up 10-7 as it should have at half. The years we don't have an assigned coach for ST...we hurt ourselves. With so many teams having like 20 special consultants...why can't we pony up $$$$ for a good one?
8. I'm glad you stated what so many are missing with the sacks. Sheron was in shotgun and kept drifting back as well on those snaps...he ran back into 3 of those sacks by making it impossible on Buford and Horsey to push the edge rushers behind the QB. Sheron was a disaster IMO...he took 3 drives right off the field with terrified to stay in pocket and at least throw an imcomplete pass. Instead he gets us to 2 and 20 a few times with stupid scrambles.
9. Yes...the D gave up the slip screen that got us down 7. I was surprised the D gave up 17 pts in 2nd half. But the offense isn't flat....they just have terrible coordination between the OLine, play calling and scheme.

I didn't see much from USC to worry they are passing UK. If Levis plays....that is a way different game. Yenser is a major problem....and Scangerello needs to coach to what this team can execute (i.e. more short passes). This season is looking like it's slipped away from Atlanta ,NY6 or even repeat of Citrus Bowl...which sucks. But UK has a great base of talent and coaching to build upon...just need to get a portal QB, maybe an OL and maybe fire Yenser....could be fine shorter than most are imagining.

 

[yoshukai]

Typical UK football really. We are cursed and Ive told you guys so. Last night reiterated my stance.
UK should have given the Bear a Cadillac as well.

You think we’re cursed ? Let me tell you something. My son bought tickets and took me to the game . I hadn’t been to a game since Jokers last year . I was super excited to see how much things had changed. Stadium revamped, new unis, good team , exciting atmosphere! Then the first play happens, the blocked punt, the missed kick, head scratching play calls . We lose . We are 0 and 8 in games I’ve attended. Now that is cursed!

 

[UKortho]

I couldn’t attend and glad I picked that game to stay home. I’ll be there next week and I hope we see the Cats play their best football. They have not played great in their last three games.

 

[gamecockcat]

I sort of think you're reaching on some of the points

1. UK ran the ball down USC throat at will in first half with 8 in the box....just like the old days. The D was all over Rattler and throttled USC hurry up/ Auburn copy cat offense system. The wheels fell off in 2nd half and it is what it is. But Sheron was not ready for the moment. Call it un-prepared...I get it. But our backup QB isn't very good and that is on coaches and not keeping Beau Allen around. But Levis plays and that 8 man in box crap is much harder with Brown, Tayvion and Key iso on outside.
2. Yes the first play was bad call. Once the safety crowded the LOS and was lurking un accounted for on that edge...Sheron needed to get us out of the play or CRod needed to see it and just duck his head and get what he could w.o handoff. It was a disaster play and we had to grind it out to tie it up.
3. Agreed...we need to throw shorter routes 75% of the passes. Scangerello has been stubborn to adjust and/or coach QBs to throw it away. Many of the sacks are on the QBs not seeing pressure and getting to hot routes.
4. This is what you get with the 3-4 defense. Those 3 DL are there to mainly muck up the run game and get you to third down....which we did quite well. The problem for UK is on passing downs Wright has never been a good edge rusher and Weaver is having a bad year (probably the elbow is still a problem).
5. It's sort of our scheme...and again...USC only scored 24 pts and 7 was stupid TO to start the game. So we played well enough to win on defense IMO
6. Very true...>Stoops needs to just hire a special teams coach. It would have been nice to be up 10-7 as it should have at half. The years we don't have an assigned coach for ST...we hurt ourselves. With so many teams having like 20 special consultants...why can't we pony up $$$$ for a good one?
8. I'm glad you stated what so many are missing with the sacks. Sheron was in shotgun and kept drifting back as well on those snaps...he ran back into 3 of those sacks by making it impossible on Buford and Horsey to push the edge rushers behind the QB. Sheron was a disaster IMO...he took 3 drives right off the field with terrified to stay in pocket and at least throw an imcomplete pass. Instead he gets us to 2 and 20 a few times with stupid scrambles.
9. Yes...the D gave up the slip screen that got us down 7. I was surprised the D gave up 17 pts in 2nd half. But the offense isn't flat....they just have terrible coordination between the OLine, play calling and scheme.

I didn't see much from USC to worry they are passing UK. If Levis plays....that is a way different game. Yenser is a major problem....and Scangerello needs to coach to what this team can execute (i.e. more short passes). This season is looking like it's slipped away from Atlanta ,NY6 or even repeat of Citrus Bowl...which sucks. But UK has a great base of talent and coaching to build upon...just need to get a portal QB, maybe an OL and maybe fire Yenser....could be fine shorter than most are imagining.

#4 and #5: you have to remember that Rattler and USC will struggle to make a bowl game. Playing the same passive style on defense the next two games will result in 40+ being dropped on us, I would imagine. You surely wouldn't expect Rogers and Hooker to look so pedestrian when given all day to throw against a soft zone. Plus, USC RB rushed for well over 100 yards. Not sure that's mucking up the run game to any great extent.

If our D holds both of those teams below 30, I'll never gripe about the scheme and lack of pass rush again.

Agree wholeheartedly with your assessment of Wright and Weaver. Neither have really provided what we all wished for and expected this year.

 

[K_TIME]

#4 and #5: you have to remember that Rattler and USC will struggle to make a bowl game. Playing the same passive style on defense the next two games will result in 40+ being dropped on us, I would imagine. You surely wouldn't expect Rogers and Hooker to look so pedestrian when given all day to throw against a soft zone. Plus, USC RB rushed for well over 100 yards. Not sure that's mucking up the run game to any great extent.

If our D holds both of those teams below 30, I'll never gripe about the scheme and lack of pass rush again.

Agree wholeheartedly with your assessment of Wright and Weaver. Neither have really provided what we all wished for and expected this year.

At the end of day...USC scored 24 pts...7 of which is solely on dumb first play of game offense. And the D kept a score from happening after a punt block. So I just don't get down on the D...they've been really good all year and was not terrible Saturday.

Most teams with a pulse score 30+ on USC...we had to punch in a prevent USC defense to get to 14 pts...which is pitiful. The offense 90% lost that game....not the defense IMO.

 

[Backer cutter]

You think we’re cursed ? Let me tell you something. My son bought tickets and took me to the game . I hadn’t been to a game since Jokers last year . I was super excited to see how much things had changed. Stadium revamped, new unis, good team , exciting atmosphere! Then the first play happens, the blocked punt, the missed kick, head scratching play calls . We lose . We are 0 and 8 in games I’ve attended. Now that is cursed!

Keep your sss at home! JK of course. Is what it is.

 

[zannmann]

The problem is the OC sucks.

 

[sluggercatfan]

At the end of day...USC scored 24 pts...7 of which is solely on dumb first play of game offense. And the D kept a score from happening after a punt block. So I just don't get down on the D...they've been really good all year and was not terrible Saturday.

Most teams with a pulse score 30+ on USC...we had to punch in a prevent USC defense to get to 14 pts...which is pitiful. The offense 90% lost that game....not the defense IMO.

Good spot on post...that's on the HC & OC.

 

[jauk11]

You think we’re cursed ? Let me tell you something. My son bought tickets and took me to the game . I hadn’t been to a game since Jokers last year . I was super excited to see how much things had changed. Stadium revamped, new unis, good team , exciting atmosphere! Then the first play happens, the blocked punt, the missed kick, head scratching play calls . We lose . We are 0 and 8 in games I’ve attended. Now that is cursed!

Careful there, you might get shot the next game you try to attend.

 

[Larry00]

My take…JMO…

1. Stoops is a fantastic defensive minded coach, and it shows with our boys. They bend sometimes, but for the most part, they’re the stars of our team. But I’ve said it for years now…the man dabbles in our offense too much sometimes, and you can always tell when he does.

2. Sheron was put in a terrible situation…absolutely zero experience, and playing with the worst all-around offensive line we’ve had in a while. Couple that with some ridiculous play calling at times, and he was doomed.

3. What I don’t understand is that almost all of the big uglies in the trenches can run block well…pass blocking is a skill that is learned, and well, some haven’t learned yet. Run the damn ball, with SHORT, QUICK OUT PASSES!! Don’t make a unit do something they cannot do. We’ve got skill players, and as far as I’m concerned, the best TE unit we’ve ever had collectively. Coaching was extremely suspect in this game.

4. I’m more disappointed with the special teams unit than anybody else on the team. They’ve hurt us badly so far this year.

5. Me and my son had a wonderful time coming to the game. Tailgated in the Orange Lot…ate some good food…drank some adult beverages…conversed with fans of both teams…atmosphere was electric. With that being said…We’ve got one of the most asinine fan bases I’ve ever seen. Seeing and hearing a bunch of 40-60 year old men in the stands, who probably have never tied a pair of cleats in their damn lives, screaming at 18-22 year old scholarship football players saying you need to do this and that…give me a break!! Like those boys want to make mistakes and lose a damn home game in front of their own fans. It’s one of the reasons I hate going to games…our own “fans”.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

Agree to a certain point. Had multiple motion penalties that put us at 1st and 15, which is a tough spot to run from. Couple that with the vast majority of our 'passing attack' occurred within 3 yards of the LOS and USC defense put 8 or more in the box in the second half so we couldn't run effectively. At least that's the way I saw it.

Those were real killers and uncharacteristic. Up till then we played clean all year. Some stuff is to be expected with a different voice/cadence, but that much just showed guys lost focus. Then there were drops and other miscues.

Guys around sheron knew they needed to elevate their game to help him. Rbs definitely did. Everyone else fell flat with exception of plays here and there.

 

[yoshukai]

Careful there, you might get shot the next game you try to attend.

It’s going to be a LONG time , lol .

 

[yoshukai]

My take…JMO…

1. Stoops is a fantastic defensive minded coach, and it shows with our boys. They bend sometimes, but for the most part, they’re the stars of our team. But I’ve said it for years now…the man dabbles in our offense too much sometimes, and you can always tell when he does.

2. Sheron was put in a terrible situation…absolutely zero experience, and playing with the worst all-around offensive line we’ve had in a while. Couple that with some ridiculous play calling at times, and he was doomed.

3. What I don’t understand is that almost all of the big uglies in the trenches can run block well…pass blocking is a skill that is learned, and well, some haven’t learned yet. Run the damn ball, with SHORT, QUICK OUT PASSES!! Don’t make a unit do something they cannot do. We’ve got skill players, and as far as I’m concerned, the best TE unit we’ve ever had collectively. Coaching was extremely suspect in this game.

4. I’m more disappointed with the special teams unit than anybody else on the team. They’ve hurt us badly so far this year.

5. Me and my son had a wonderful time coming to the game. Tailgated in the Orange Lot…ate some good food…drank some adult beverages…conversed with fans of both teams…atmosphere was electric. With that being said…We’ve got one of the most asinine fan bases I’ve ever seen. Seeing and hearing a bunch of 40-60 year old men in the stands, who probably have never tied a pair of cleats in their damn lives, screaming at 18-22 year old scholarship football players saying you need to do this and that…give me a break!! Like those boys want to make mistakes and lose a damn home game in front of their own fans. It’s one of the reasons I hate going to games…our own “fans”.

Our fans are no different than anyone else’s fans . I had a bunch of USC fans around me and they were yelling insults at Rattler all night .Some UK fans started a “Rattler Sucks” chant and they even joined in , lol .

 

[jauk11]

Our fans are no different than anyone else’s fans . I had a bunch of USC fans around me and they were yelling insults at Rattler all night .Some UK fans started a “Rattler Sucks” chant and they even joined in , lol .

You are correct, but it doesn't make it any less despicable because they do it too.

 

[jauk11]

My take…JMO…

1. Stoops is a fantastic defensive minded coach, and it shows with our boys. They bend sometimes, but for the most part, they’re the stars of our team. But I’ve said it for years now…the man dabbles in our offense too much sometimes, and you can always tell when he does.

2. Sheron was put in a terrible situation…absolutely zero experience, and playing with the worst all-around offensive line we’ve had in a while. Couple that with some ridiculous play calling at times, and he was doomed.

3. What I don’t understand is that almost all of the big uglies in the trenches can run block well…pass blocking is a skill that is learned, and well, some haven’t learned yet. Run the damn ball, with SHORT, QUICK OUT PASSES!! Don’t make a unit do something they cannot do. We’ve got skill players, and as far as I’m concerned, the best TE unit we’ve ever had collectively. Coaching was extremely suspect in this game.

4. I’m more disappointed with the special teams unit than anybody else on the team. They’ve hurt us badly so far this year.

5. Me and my son had a wonderful time coming to the game. Tailgated in the Orange Lot…ate some good food…drank some adult beverages…conversed with fans of both teams…atmosphere was electric. With that being said…We’ve got one of the most asinine fan bases I’ve ever seen. Seeing and hearing a bunch of 40-60 year old men in the stands, who probably have never tied a pair of cleats in their damn lives, screaming at 18-22 year old scholarship football players saying you need to do this and that…give me a break!! Like those boys want to make mistakes and lose a damn home game in front of their own fans. It’s one of the reasons I hate going to games…our own “fans”.

Excellent post, especially about the ones that never tied on a pair of cleats.

 

[LordEggForgotHisPassword]

I hate screen passes

 

[LordEggForgotHisPassword]

I thought they were too conservative with sheron. Receivers had some bad misses. He had a few off throws. But overall he threw pretty well in my opinion.

 

[TBCat]

I felt like Stoops and the staff took this win for granted. This felt like we they were playing this game to just get through rather than preparing for it. It looked like the kind of game plan we would use for Northern Illinois, where you are just trying to get to the end instead of preparing for South Carolina. There was basically no effort to identify what USC was strong at and what they were weak at. Had we prepared for USC we wouldn't have opened up with trick plays we would have ran it down their throats. They are terrible run defense and we could have won that game with barely throwing a pass. Instead we got cute and fell behind. That took the winning game plan off the table for us.

 

[yoshukai]

You are correct, but it doesn't make it any less despicable because they do it too.

Don’t disagree.

 

[Lost In FL]

UK hasn't recruited well the past 2-3 years especially in both lines. Go back and look at OL recruiting the past 3 years, pretty abysmal

Agree with the coaching part, but not the recruiting. Last 3 years, UK was 22, 36 and 13 according to Rivals.
2022 - OL: 4 stars Goodwin, Bingham, 3 star Hall; DL: 4 star Walker, Fearby, Henry (portal)
2021 - OL: 4 star Burton, 3 star Wohlabaugh, Rodriguez; DL: 3 stars Dinkins & Saunders
2020 - OL: 4 stars Young, Flax, 3 stars Adams, Jones, Buford; DL: 5 star Rogers, 4 stars Hayes, Ox, Anaele, Rybka
Not counting transfer portals, that makes five 4-stars, six 3-stars on the OL and one 5-star, six 4-stars and two 3-stars on the DL
This may be the highest rated DL talent UK has ever seen (Robertson & Caudill were awesome, but dropped off after them).

Having said that ... it goes back to coaching.

 

[K_TIME]

Agree with the coaching part, but not the recruiting. Last 3 years, UK was 22, 36 and 13 according to Rivals.
2022 - OL: 4 stars Goodwin, Bingham, 3 star Hall; DL: 4 star Walker, Fearby, Henry (portal)
2021 - OL: 4 star Burton, 3 star Wohlabaugh, Rodriguez; DL: 3 stars Dinkins & Saunders
2021 - OL: 4 stars Young, Flax, 3 stars Adams, Jones, Buford; DL: 5 star Rogers, 4 stars Hayes, Ox, Anaele, Rybka
Not counting transfer portals, that makes five 4-stars, six 3-stars on the OL and one 5-star, six 4-stars and two 3-stars on the DL
This may be the highest rated DL talent UK has ever seen (Robertson & Caudill were awesome, but dropped off after them).

Having said that ... it goes back to coaching.

Great post.

You can't tell me John Young, Buford, Flax, Burton, Manning, Goodwin are less talented out of HS than Stenberg, Horsey, Bunchy, Nassir Watkins, Fortner, Cox, etc. Heck guys Horsey and Cox are the same players that were really solid the last 2 years under Schlarman/Wolford are they not? Why Yenser moves them to new spots that they aren't doing good at while the guys replacing them at guard are struggling....makes even less sense.

This one smells 90% a coaching/scheme issue to me.

 

[rupp876]

Typical UK football really. We are cursed and Ive told you guys so. Last night reiterated my stance.
UK should have given the Bear a Cadillac as well.

There is no curse and Rupp never received a Cadillac. It's a bogus tale Bryant made up for the banquet circuit.

 

[mrschwump]

Agree with the coaching part, but not the recruiting. Last 3 years, UK was 22, 36 and 13 according to Rivals.
2022 - OL: 4 stars Goodwin, Bingham, 3 star Hall; DL: 4 star Walker, Fearby, Henry (portal)
2021 - OL: 4 star Burton, 3 star Wohlabaugh, Rodriguez; DL: 3 stars Dinkins & Saunders
2021 - OL: 4 stars Young, Flax, 3 stars Adams, Jones, Buford; DL: 5 star Rogers, 4 stars Hayes, Ox, Anaele, Rybka
Not counting transfer portals, that makes five 4-stars, six 3-stars on the OL and one 5-star, six 4-stars and two 3-stars on the DL
This may be the highest rated DL talent UK has ever seen (Robertson & Caudill were awesome, but dropped off after them).

Having said that ... it goes back to coaching.

Basically I agree with that but some of those guys are gone, Adams and Jeff Pope, who I think was in the '20 class(don't remember), are no longer at UK and Jones has been hurt. Seems to me OO has under performed compared to preinjury, not sure about Anaele, he wasn't dressed Sat and hasn't played...guess he's hurt. Bottom line is these guys on both lines need to step it up, why they haven't is open for discussion.

Walker now has the distinction as a true freshman of being "The Most Held UK Defensive Lineman." Most recent previous "winners" were Josh Allen and Josh Pascual.

 

[Dontworryboutit23]

I sort of think you're reaching on some of the points

1. UK ran the ball down USC throat at will in first half with 8 in the box....just like the old days. The D was all over Rattler and throttled USC hurry up/ Auburn copy cat offense system. The wheels fell off in 2nd half and it is what it is. But Sheron was not ready for the moment. Call it un-prepared...I get it. But our backup QB isn't very good and that is on coaches and not keeping Beau Allen around. But Levis plays and that 8 man in box crap is much harder with Brown, Tayvion and Key iso on outside.
2. Yes the first play was bad call. Once the safety crowded the LOS and was lurking un accounted for on that edge...Sheron needed to get us out of the play or CRod needed to see it and just duck his head and get what he could w.o handoff. It was a disaster play and we had to grind it out to tie it up.
3. Agreed...we need to throw shorter routes 75% of the passes. Scangerello has been stubborn to adjust and/or coach QBs to throw it away. Many of the sacks are on the QBs not seeing pressure and getting to hot routes.
4. This is what you get with the 3-4 defense. Those 3 DL are there to mainly muck up the run game and get you to third down....which we did quite well. The problem for UK is on passing downs Wright has never been a good edge rusher and Weaver is having a bad year (probably the elbow is still a problem).
5. It's sort of our scheme...and again...USC only scored 24 pts and 7 was stupid TO to start the game. So we played well enough to win on defense IMO
6. Very true...>Stoops needs to just hire a special teams coach. It would have been nice to be up 10-7 as it should have at half. The years we don't have an assigned coach for ST...we hurt ourselves. With so many teams having like 20 special consultants...why can't we pony up $$$$ for a good one?
8. I'm glad you stated what so many are missing with the sacks. Sheron was in shotgun and kept drifting back as well on those snaps...he ran back into 3 of those sacks by making it impossible on Buford and Horsey to push the edge rushers behind the QB. Sheron was a disaster IMO...he took 3 drives right off the field with terrified to stay in pocket and at least throw an imcomplete pass. Instead he gets us to 2 and 20 a few times with stupid scrambles.
9. Yes...the D gave up the slip screen that got us down 7. I was surprised the D gave up 17 pts in 2nd half. But the offense isn't flat....they just have terrible coordination between the OLine, play calling and scheme.

I didn't see much from USC to worry they are passing UK. If Levis plays....that is a way different game. Yenser is a major problem....and Scangerello needs to coach to what this team can execute (i.e. more short passes). This season is looking like it's slipped away from Atlanta ,NY6 or even repeat of Citrus Bowl...which sucks. But UK has a great base of talent and coaching to build upon...just need to get a portal QB, maybe an OL and maybe fire Yenser....could be fine shorter than most are imagining.

There fans are going off thinking its the changing of the program, they can talk crap about beating Kentucky, but I agree I didn’t see anything special from Carolina to suggest they have passed Kentucky. Kentucky made mistakes and was missing it’s best player, which SCAR fans don’t seem to understand, they said they had injuries to. A good QB can make up for a lot more than other players can

 

[aikenite4uk]

I'll tack on since I was at the game yesterday. I'll speak more on the atmosphere.

1. One of the strangest atmospheres I've ever seen at Kroger Field. It was like a collective deflation once everyone knew how this thing was gonna go. Place was electric, then it completely changed after the first play. Only 2/3 "loud" moments after that. Second quarter was mostly dead.

2. Cat Walk was also odd. It was like people were scared to show emotions there. Never seen it like that.

3. I looked up at the beginning of the game, saw a full moon, and instantly got an ill feeling.

4. Kroger Field started emptying in the third quarter, which isn't unusual for cupcake opponents. But I haven't seen a packed house go to a ghost town so fast.

5. Almost everyone knew Ruffalo was gonna miss that FG. All we could do was shrug.

Maybe some others feel differently than me, but a few guys I know said the same thing. Ominous, really.

Good take. Watching on TV it seemed the crowd was very passive.