No more excuses

[BBBLazing]

I almost started a thread last night, but realized that I was so angry and frustrated that it would probably deteriorate into an argument among everyone about who was a better fan. So, I went to bed. I have now reflected and have the following to say about last night's game and the future:

We have to quit making excuses. I know our team is young. I know our coach is only in his third year as a head coach and is just now getting the talent we need. I know our quarterback has only started 13 games. I know we have people out. I know that Jason Hatcher didn't play the first two games.

But, I also know the following:

We had as much talent on the field as Florida last night. We did not execute. Our Oline was beat over and over. Our quarterback made bad throws. When our quarterback made good throws receivers dropped the ball. Hatcher's name was not mentioned, if at all, not often by the announcers because he made no difference. To say he is rusty is on him, he got himself suspended. The play calling sucked. While it didn't really matter at the end, the clock management sucked.

I've been going to UK home football games for a long time. Since Sonny Collins played. If we are ever going to move up the ladder in the SEC, we are going to have to quit making excuses about age, experience and talent and win the games that we have the ability to win. Last night was one of those games. If everyone would quit being blindly optimistic and blindly pessimistic and just insist upon "NO MORE EXCUSES" I think Coach Stoops can get us there. Go Cats.

 

[miracle7s]

I love everything you said there we got beat because we played crappy and Shannon Dawson called a crappy game. However I'll take you to task on one thing, and it's not just you who is saying it but it is a total misnomer to say we have as much talent as Florida. We don't have 1/10th of the talent that Florida has. Doesn't mean you can't win the game though. Teams with lesser talent beat teams with more talent all the time, we used to do it with some regularity when Rich Brooks and his incredible staff were here. Right now I still haven't seen any kind of coaching on the offensive side of the ball at least that makes me think any differently.

 

[Blue_White_KY]

We don't have as much talent as Florida did last night and they have some experience talent which helps a lot.

Playing in the SEC is nothing new. UK has been doing it since the SEC started so we should know by now what to expect. Yea we play in the SEC, go win it!

 

[rolaid]

We have knowhere near the talent that UF does. Their defense stoned us.Better athletes all over the field. Game is won upfront and UF was better there

 

[BBBLazing]

I love everything you said there we got beat because we played crappy and Shannon Dawson called a crappy game. However I'll take you to task on one thing, and it's not just you who is saying it but it is a total misnomer to say we have as much talent as Florida. We don't have 1/10th of the talent that Florida has. Doesn't mean you can't win the game though. Teams with lesser talent beat teams with more talent all the time, we used to do it with some regularity when Rich Brooks and his incredible staff were here. Right now I still haven't seen any kind of coaching on the offensive side of the ball at least that makes me think any differently.

I get that every team above us in the SEC is deeper with talent, but this early in the season, I think we line up, best 33 as good as Florida. Simple fact is that if we make plays, we beat them. It has been the story forever, we don't make plays. Remember having a 28-0 lead on Tennessee and a kid from Male killing us in the second half and us losing? We have to quit making excuses and win these games.

 

[gobigblue812]

I get that every team above us in the SEC is deeper with talent, but this early in the season, I think we line up, best 33 as good as Florida. Simple fact is that if we make plays, we beat them. It has been the story forever, we don't make plays. Remember having a 28-0 lead on Tennessee and a kid from Male killing us in the second half and us losing? We have to quit making excuses and win these games.

How many NFL draft picks will we have this year compared to Florida? How about next year?

 

[BBBLazing]

How many NFL draft picks will we have this year compared to Florida? How about next year?

Which positions were we out talented at last night? You and I know that SEC schools in the upper half have backups drafted, like our basketball team. But they all don't get to play much in the games. Where did we lack talent last night other than Oline?

 

[BBBLazing]

I love everything you said there we got beat because we played crappy and Shannon Dawson called a crappy game. However I'll take you to task on one thing, and it's not just you who is saying it but it is a total misnomer to say we have as much talent as Florida. We don't have 1/10th of the talent that Florida has. Doesn't mean you can't win the game though. Teams with lesser talent beat teams with more talent all the time, we used to do it with some regularity when Rich Brooks and his incredible staff were here. Right now I still haven't seen any kind of coaching on the offensive side of the ball at least that makes me think any differently.

I love UK and had fun when Brooks was our coach, but he won because he played crappy schedules. In 2007 we beat LSU, but other than that, we really didn't beat anybody we were not supposed to. I wish everyone would quit making him out to be such a statue type coach. The entire country makes fun of us for thinking we were good when he coached us. A couple Music City Bowls, a Liberty Bowl and the Birmingham Bowl maybe. Not really a great coach with an "incredible staff".

 

[gobigblue812]

How about corner back for starters. Don't think we have A first rounder this year do we?

 

[FickusDuckus]

We did not have more talent. Also year 3 of a new staff that had to overcome the last staff needs no excuses. We are STILL green. Those predicting and especially those expecting 8 plus wins needed to have their heads examined. This years goal is simply to make a bowl. Beat any of our rivals, end any streaks and/or win any of the games most consider unwinnable and were ahead of the game. Those claiming folks are making excuses are simply not able to view things realistically.

 

[miracle7s]

I love UK and had fun when Brooks was our coach, but he won because he played crappy schedules. In 2007 we beat LSU, but other than that, we really didn't beat anybody we were not supposed to. I wish everyone would quit making him out to be such a statue type coach. The entire country makes fun of us for thinking we were good when he coached us. A couple Music City Bowls, a Liberty Bowl and the Birmingham Bowl maybe. Not really a great coach with an "incredible staff".

We beat Georgia(2x), LSU, Clemson, Florida St., Arkansas(2x), Louisville(3x), and Auburn. Those were all games we were "not supposed to win" in fact I'd bet we were minimum 7 point dogs in all those games and most likely double digits. As far as his staff, it was the best staff we've ever had here in modern football and it's not close. Rich Brooks was a national coach of the year who won the Pac 10 and turned Oregon into what it is now and was a head coach in the NFL. Assistants Jimmy Heggins, Randy Sanders(incredible QB coach lousy OC), Joker (great OC/WR coach and recruiter terrible HC), Rick Petri, Steve Brown, Chuck Smith, Steve Ortmayer. To say he didn't have an incredible staff shows your lack of football knowledge. We could of kept the train rolling with Rich and maybe taken the next step into what you'd consider great but Brooks wanted money for his assistants and facility upgrades, all things that Stoops required when he got here but Mitch wouldn't give Rich so he stepped down. It wasn't a step down because Joker was ready it was a step down because Mitch wouldn't do what he's done now. Privately Rich would tell you then that Joker wasn't ready and it wasn't a good idea.

 

[miracle7s]

Which positions were we out talented at last night? You and I know that SEC schools in the upper half have backups drafted, like our basketball team. But they all don't get to play much in the games. Where did we lack talent last night other than Oline?

They had us out talented at every position on the field except kicker and maybe Boom would get carries there. Be serious. Did you see their QB making plays and throws and ours not? their receivers making incredible 1 handed catches and ours bouncing them off their hands? Hargraves III shutting our guys down playing on one leg? They were better everywhere, but that's not an excuse for losing, the best teams with the most talent lose games all the time. I don't understand why you can't admit that for all the improvements we've made personnel wise we'll never be out talenting the top half of the SEC but we have enough to beat them.

 

[buckkiller]

The O line just got murdered last night and Pat made poor decisions when he did have time. Recievers dropped a few balls that should of been caught and Bakers drop was huge followed by the pick. That is pretty much 14 point swing. Us being up 7 early then being down 7 early. Heck we might win that 13-7 If he made that catch cause the D played game winning football for being on the field alot.

 

[Tskware]

Their RS freshman QB was Parade Magazine national player of the year two years ago, so I was told at the game. We have had one O lineman drafted in the last 22 years or so, and maybe one RB drafted in the last 15 years or (since Moe Williams). OTOH Florida's most knowledgeable fan could not name all of its linemen and backs drafted in the last 15 years, too many to remember.

But, we are closing the gap, we held them to 14 points and 245 yards, that alone says we were not just overwhelmed by their athleticism. Clemson faced the same talent gap we did when Fla State joined the ACC, but slowly caught up to have a roster that although not nearly as deep or highly regarded, was able to beat FSU on occasion. We can do the same, and we have been close the last two years.

Enough about Florida, Missouri is a really, really big game for Stoops and this program. A win would be a huge shot in the arm.

 

[CatOnRockyTop]

I am a Brooks fan too but remember he started 4-8, 2-9 and 3-8 before he got it turned around. Give this staff time and they will get it going. We are close right now and there is still a lot of season left. There aren't many times in recent years that we have been within a play or two of beating Florida.

 

[UKBrassowTipIN]

We are also going to stop becoming completely irrational about everything...like thinking the unknown will magically work. And nit thinking Stoops has it under control.

 

[Onomatopoeia]

I almost started a thread last night, but realized that I was so angry and frustrated that it would probably deteriorate into an argument among everyone about who was a better fan. So, I went to bed. I have now reflected and have the following to say about last night's game and the future:

We have to quit making excuses. I know our team is young. I know our coach is only in his third year as a head coach and is just now getting the talent we need. I know our quarterback has only started 13 games. I know we have people out. I know that Jason Hatcher didn't play the first two games.

But, I also know the following:

We had as much talent on the field as Florida last night.

Stopped reading right there.

 

[NavyCat88]

Talent aside....the game was ours for the taking and this team was not tough enough, intense enough, hungry enough, driven enough, and/or scared enough of the coaching staff to seize the victory when the opportunity was there. We very nearly quit our way into a loss to the Gamecocks last week after a great first half. Why? I think our coaching staff is (HC on down) is riding the bike for the first time. Lots of comments about Brooks on this page....I'm in the middle-ground on him. We played average-to-slightly below average SEC FB with Rich Brooks, but it just so happens it was also the best UK FB in a generation. What Brooks WAS though was a HC with previous HC experience under his belt. As such, his O Lines (once off probation) could run block and pass block (even considering Andre's slower-than-molasses delivery). Look, I think CMS is a heck of a fine man, great recruiter, he WANTS TO WIN, and we all want him to win, but this is his first HC job and it shows on the field IMO. Aside from incremental improvement to "OK" in D Line play and ST, not much on the field has impressed so far. Last year had horrible special teams, weak as water O&D lines, long losing streak to finish the year, suspended players for intense play perhaps to impress the suits in the SEC offices, etc., and it was really tough to watch. This year we're playing better in spots but we're looking "scared to lose." I really really hope CMS' brings his staff's preparation and sideline game up to match his recruiting game, because if he does....he will be special. Consider this, in the military, we don't give an officer "major command" until they complete one or two lower level commands. I would argue that CMS is a SEC coach, and a SEC gig is "major" in the coaching world......very tough to figure out HC operations for your first time on such a big stage. Good Luck CMS and GBB! Beat the He!! out of Missouri!!!!!!!

 

[fuzz77]

But, I also know the following:

We had as much talent on the field as Florida last night.

You need some new glasses. Florida's DL and their CBs were clearly more talented than our OL and receivers.

 

[beenas]

I don't post much, but I'm going to chime in on this one because I like what each of you are saying on this and I'm feeling the same pain. The proverbial "hump" we've been trying to get over for years - the one we think we'll get over by beating Florida - is just so big that it's just not going to happen by wishing it to happen. It seems like every 5 years or so we get excited because we "look" like and SEC team or we have a few SEC caliber players, only to be crushed when the SEC games start and reality sets in that we really don't match up with the top SEC teams. What I saw Saturday night was about as close as we've been in my 20 years or so of watching, but we've got a long way to go to compete with the traditional powers and I'm not sure Mark Stoops, or anyone, could get us there in 3 years. All you have to do is look at their left tackle and compare him to ours. I"m not picking on Swindle or anyone we have, but we're just not in the same league as Florida when it comes to the critical football positions and the depth at those positions. How can we expect to beat Florida on the field when we don't come close on paper? Look at the last 29 years and honestly say which years we should have beaten them. I'm not upset about loss #29 because we came about as close as we ever have and there were a few time it looked like a real football game. How many of games at CWS can we say that about over the last 3 decades? As for as Florida goes, I'm more upset about losses 3-20 where we just keep getting killed and nothing serious is done about it by fans, administration, etc. I was pleased, but confused when Governor John Y. Brown's email was released after Stoops was hired that he wrote to Barnhart about the future of UK football and how important it was. My thought was GREAT, I'm glad your concerned, but where we're you in 1975 when you were governor and could have REALLY done something about it!
The crazy thing about the other night is, we could have easily won that game, but IT WOULD HAVE BEEN BAD FOR BUILDING A TRULY GREAT PROGRAM because like the LSU game in 2007, we would somehow think we've arrived when we really haven't even gotten started! We MUST feel the sting of this loss, Mark Stoops must feel the sting of this loss, Barnhart must feel the sting of this loss, the fans must feel the sting of this loss so we will FINALLY be motivated to build the program into what it deserves to be. After 50 plus years of mediocre to bad football, there are no more excuses to make. Until I see a 6'8" 350 lb left tackle, a playmaker QB, a fearlessly confident OC and consistently see the type of D we saw the other night, all we're are going to have are more losses, more losing streaks and more excuses. It's time to stop kidding ourselves that "we suffered long enough" or "we can't recruit with the big boys" or "we're a basketball school" or the dozens of other excuses and start DEMANDING more of ourselves as fans, our players, our coaches, our state university, our elected officials and our boosters. Otherwise, we may beat Florida eventually, but it will just be a small blip like when, by a fluke, we ended the UT streak. Right now, we lose because we're just not as good and that's what is really sad, and has been for 29 long years, and really years before that. It's not enough to beat then because we got lucky or we were due, I want to see us beat them because we're just plain BETTER - A better team, a better school, a better group of people and, of course, a better STATE!! No more excuses.

 

[UKWinsAgainYep]

Florida's QB was night and day better than ours.

Florida's defense decimated our O-Line. They are way more talented and well coached.

Our D gave us a chance to win, but our Offense can't make enough big plays.

 

[Poetax]

I almost started a thread last night, but realized that I was so angry and frustrated that it would probably deteriorate into an argument among everyone about who was a better fan. So, I went to bed. I have now reflected and have the following to say about last night's game and the future:

We have to quit making excuses. I know our team is young. I know our coach is only in his third year as a head coach and is just now getting the talent we need. I know our quarterback has only started 13 games. I know we have people out. I know that Jason Hatcher didn't play the first two games.

But, I also know the following:

We had as much talent on the field as Florida last night. We did not execute. Our Oline was beat over and over. Our quarterback made bad throws. When our quarterback made good throws receivers dropped the ball. Hatcher's name was not mentioned, if at all, not often by the announcers because he made no difference. To say he is rusty is on him, he got himself suspended. The play calling sucked. While it didn't really matter at the end, the clock management sucked.

I've been going to UK home football games for a long time. Since Sonny Collins played. If we are ever going to move up the ladder in the SEC, we are going to have to quit making excuses about age, experience and talent and win the games that we have the ability to win. Last night was one of those games. If everyone would quit being blindly optimistic and blindly pessimistic and just insist upon "NO MORE EXCUSES" I think Coach Stoops can get us there. Go Cats.

Make some good points but it was obvious that their D line was way more talented then our O line.

 

[BARBQGRILLER]

Make some good points but it was obvious that their D line was way more talented then our O line.

You are correct Sir !