I think the problem is becoming more apparent

[shutzhund]

as the surrounding cast, on offense, has improved the "sore thumb" has turned out to be the qb position. No experienced backups and a schedule that has us on the razor edge of losing to each opponent in our effort to be bowl qualified.

The coaches don't want to have a lack of experience lose even one game and so we go with what might be our biggest stumbling block. We will be going into the fourth year still trying to fix the problem.

Our offensive line seems improved, the running backs are talented and our wide receivers look good but it might be an idea to trash the "air raid" experiment and take the ball out of the qb's hands more often. By that I mean throw when it's available but don;t make it our main weapon. Evidently we don't have the qbs for a reliable passing game. Personally the dual threat qb might be a good option for teams like ours.

This is just a fan's rambling speculation. No, Stoops does not have me on speed dial.

The defense who knows? Pity the poor coaches. Suicide watch activated.

 

[maverick1rw]

Suicide watch activated.

 

[Wildcat Willy]

40 points. The offense put up 40 points.

We left more on the field, but the offensive side of the ball was not the problem.

 

[45peter]

I think our defense will be ok when every one gets back and the young guys settle in. With all the quick scoring drives early in the game, I think it kept the defense on the field a long time and then ULL started to get a little traction that extended their time on the field. They got their second wind late and held off ULL.

 

[Bill Derington]

40 points. The offense put up 40 points.

We left more on the field, but the offensive side of the ball was not the problem.

The defense obviously has issues, but in the first half the radio guys were concerned with how many plays ULL had ran. UK was almost a victim of its own success with the quick td's.
That kept the defense on a hot, muggy night on the field a long time.

We needed a long sustained drive in the second half to give the D a rest, and the offense couldn't do it.
Towles has the arm and size, but no touch or accuracy. Receivers were open and he just flat out missed them.

 

[shutzhund]

I don't blame Towles in particular. It's the entire qb situation. He has his problems and I see why the coaches stick with him. We have no experience at backup but he's too inaccurate to depend upon. One great throw and multiple poor throws to follow. Not good for a team who seems determined to live or die by passing. Cannot keep moving the chains that way.

Keep him as the starter but maybe a 60/40 ratio with running being the 60. Take the dependance on him to sustain a drive more out of his hands. He's not that guy and evidently none of the other qbs are either.

As to our offensive point production remember who we were playing. It would be a surprise if many are pleased with the results.

 

[zcats]

40 points in around 20 minutes but that left the ball with the opposition for almost 40 minutes and your defense to play in 90 degree heat. 40 points is not that much. We were tied at 33 with a minute to go. 40 points is nice but controlling the ball in a game is very important. We didn't.

 

[BreckCo.Wildcat]

It's the qb. Non-mobile and inaccurate.

Got 2-3 good backs and some nice receivers.

We'll see more running for the remainder of the season. No choice; defense was gassed in the 4th from being on the field too long. A better team would have gotten the victory.

 

[usa1000]

Guys - we have 3 starters out on D (Flannigan, Johnson, and Hatcher). That side of the ball will improve when those guys get back. The young guys will get better each week.

 

[jrm693]

In agreement about the defense staying out for extended periods, I believe and hope and sure it will be addressed he is under throwing the ball, receivers having to wait to long on ball. I thought ULL coach made some great adjustments to get momentum swung and we were fortunate to regroup and get that last touchdown, would have been a great confidence builder if we could have won 55-14 instead of clawing out the win.

 

[RR30]

Guys - we have 3 starters out on D (Flannigan, Johnson, and Hatcher). That side of the ball will improve when those guys get back. The young guys will get better each week.

Flanigan, yes. Didn't Jabari take Hatcher's spot last year at the end? Lewis > Johnson as well. So one, maybe two starters. Of course they will help, with depth more than anything. We really need to hope Flannigan is actually healthy and this isn't something that keeps him out most of the year.

 

[TuckyFan]

I just can't give the OL high marks. They had moments and still have promise, but they could not move the point of attack forward and therefore we could not effectively run unless it was a gash. We will not win SEC football games if we run the ball like last night. The great news is I fully expect that to be rectified.

QB situation can work out OK if we can take some pressure off Towles with an effective power run game. It will also show improvement in the D with fewer plays for them. It (failing to have OL surge and therefore ineffective at steady power runs) really is the one thing that cost us most last night IMHO, and should be among the easier to fix. We have horses to run on the OL.

 

[3Bluefever325]

Flanigan, yes. Didn't Jabari take Hatcher's spot last year at the end? Lewis > Johnson as well. So one, maybe two starters. Of course they will help, with depth more than anything. We really need to hope Flannigan is actually healthy and this isn't something that keeps him out most of the year.

. Johnson doesn't play Lewis' position. He's our best pass rusher and is brought in on more pass rushing situations. Hatcher starts and Jabari is brought in on more obvious running plays. Hatcher however is better as a pass rusher or side to side with his speed. Those are three pretty important prieces that not only would have helped our defense in statistical categories, but also keeping our defense fresh and allowing the you get guys to be utilized more to get game experience instead of being counted on to play solid back up minutes out of desperation to get starters rest. Simply put, we are not deep enough nor mature enough yet to be down three starters, or 2 starters and an important situational back up like we were. JMHOP

 

[Pike 96]

. Johnson doesn't play Lewis' position. He's our best pass rusher and is brought in on more pass rushing situations. Hatcher starts and Jabari is brought in on more obvious running plays. Hatcher however is better as a pass rusher or side to side with his speed. Those are three pretty important prieces that not only would have helped our defense in statistical categories, but also keeping our defense fresh and allowing the you get guys to be utilized more to get game experience instead of being counted on to play solid back up minutes out of desperation to get starters rest. Simply put, we are not deep enough nor mature enough yet to be down three starters, or 2 starters and an important situational back up like we were. JMHOP

Agree completely with everything said here. Cory Johnson is by far our best interior pass rusher. I watched the game again and was,very surprised to see Lewis on the field in obvious 3rd down passing situations. He didn't even get close to pressuring the QB and he surely wasn't in that role last year. Johnson should make a difference in that role this week. Hugeginin and Meant are just not guys to rush the passer. I actually think Z may be missed more than Bud this year. He could get pressure on the QB about as well as Bud and was much stronger against the rush. Hugeginin just isn't anywhere near his ability (4th round pick that is showing out in NFL).

Hatcher and Flanigan are definitely big pieces that should help. Jordan Jones and the other freshman outside linebacker are talented and good young backups to provide the starters a rest while not losing much athleticism. But if they are needed to play starters minutes or close to it, we are,in trouble.

Where is Dubose? I was hoping he could be an athletic 300lb 3 technique to start getting his feet wet but I don't think he played

 

[CATFANFOLIFE87]

If Stoops keeps winning you won't find me here picking the games apart and pointing fingers for letting it get close. Just win baby