Not sure I've seen this theory about EKU game...

[brian.mikeson]

Many have just referenced "play-calling" as something lacking Saturday, but could there have been a REASON for the type of play-calling we used?

Namely, could we have been HOLDING BACK stuff--both offensively and defensively--for Auburn? I haven't been able to watch a replay, but was there a significant change in what was called on those last 2 O and D drives that seemed to make us look like a totally different team than the rest of the game?

 

[irishcat1965]

I really don't think so. When tied at 13, it was time to do whatever necessary to win the game. I just think the players were sleep walking and EKU played a hell of a game. You have to give the Colonels credit. I also think the OC called a terrible game. It was a perfect storm that fortunately UK survived.

 

[UKWildcats#8]

It may have started out that way, but it sure as hell did not end up that way.

 

[CHAMPCAT11]

Many have just referenced "play-calling" as something lacking Saturday, but could there have been a REASON for the type of play-calling we used?

Namely, could we have been HOLDING BACK stuff--both offensively and defensively--for Auburn? I haven't been able to watch a replay, but was there a significant change in what was called on those last 2 O and D drives that seemed to make us look like a totally different team than the rest of the game?

No way. That didn't happen.

 

[jauk11]

Success breeds success, I think after they hung with us a while they thought they could beat us, played with a lot of confidence (nothing to lose) and played way over their head, actually made some great plays they won't normally make. Very surprised we turned it around, they looked to be just as good as us for a long time AND had a two touchdown lead with time running out.

 

[ekywildcat]

Well, Barker hasn't played all year. Suddenly, Barker will get some playing time against EKU and I believe some other backups were mentioned also. I'm sure this fired EKU players up and kinda made our players think it would be a walk in the park.

I love the job Stoops is doing, but I think he should have kept that under his hat.

 

[irishcat1965]

Well, Barker hasn't played all year. Suddenly, Barker will get some playing time against EKU and I believe some other backups were mentioned also. I'm sure this fired EKU players up and kinda made our players think it would be a walk in the park.

I love the job Stoops is doing, but I think he should have kept that under his hat.

I thought all week it was a colossal error by Stoops to say Barker would definitely play. It sent the wrong message and EKU probably took it as a slap in the face.

 

[TJ4BigBlue]

I thought all week it was a colossal error by Stoops to say Barker would definitely play. It sent the wrong message and EKU probably took it as a slap in the face.

I agree!! I think we were so focused on not being involved in being in fights and scuffles, being empathetic because of the terrible loss of EKU's football player, and expecting them to roll over and us rolling over them. However, the total opposite was the frame of mind for EKU. They played with everything to win and nothing to lose. They played for a missing teammate. This game was their Super Bowl!!. Still no excuse for not bringing our best but I'm glad our young team can learn a lesson like this and still win the game!!

 

[CatDaddy4daWin]

same

 

[trueblujr2]

Really, the play calling wasn't all that horrible, it was our lack of focus and execution that doomed us most of that game. If the oline does its job, Towles has all day to pick them apart. Instead he had to scramble and make tough throws on the run all night. Execution is what did us in more than play calling.

 

[Kooky Kats]

Simply, our OLine sucked.
Couldn't run, couldn't pass protect.

Towles was running for his life the first half.

JoJo and Mikel have to stop bouncing plays to the outside. I saw many a hole open off left tackle where our backs were either dancing in place or running right at a manpile.

Lastly, EKU made plays.

 

[Levibooty]

I think this young coaching staff learned a bit about game preparation. Stoops was talking before the game about playing Barker which was a mistake on several different levels. Also as I've said before, it seemed like we were so focused on not getting into a fight on the field we forgot to fight on the field.

It was ugly and hopefully a good learning experience for our young players.

 

[Dallas-Wild]

Simply, our OLine sucked.
Couldn't run, couldn't pass protect.

Towles was running for his life the first half.

JoJo and Mikel have to stop bouncing plays to the outside. I saw many a hole open off left tackle where our backs were either dancing in place or running right at a manpile.

Lastly, EKU made plays.

"I saw many a hole open off left tackle where our backs were either dancing in place or running right at a manpile."............very true saw the something multiple times.

 

[TnKat]

Many have just referenced "play-calling" as something lacking Saturday, but could there have been a REASON for the type of play-calling we used?

Namely, could we have been HOLDING BACK stuff--both offensively and defensively--for Auburn? I haven't been able to watch a replay, but was there a significant change in what was called on those last 2 O and D drives that seemed to make us look like a totally different team than the rest of the game?

One reason (excuse) Kentucky stunk up the place may have been the fact NCSTATE had just demolished EKU 35 to zip the week before.

 

[JHB4UK]

Nah, we held nothing back, team from the head coach down to the water girls thought they could just throw their helmets on the field & win by 40. Harsh dose of reality for everyone, luckily they get that along with a win not a loss. If it had been ULL or a MAC or Sun Belt team we lose by 2 TD's.

Reminds me of the Miss St game in 2007, this team took a bye week a week to early & it bit them in the ass. In a way we can benefit from this, now the coaches will have the teams full attention and intensity for Auburn. And Stoops is still a young coach, he started this bad week with his open talk about playing Barker & backups. Couldn't have sent a more strong message to the team that it was a game to relax after 4 straight intense games.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

It may have started out that way, but it sure as hell did not end up that way.

This. No doubt we wanted to be vanilla and even run something crazy just to give Auburn more to prep for. By the end, we were in a fight for our lives, and shouldve lost. Very lucky to win that game.

 

[uk_fan_in_tn]

I think it was one of those trap game situations. Our guys clearly overlooked this game, and were looking ahead to the Auburn game. All week long they heard how they were going to be 4-1 heading into a Thursday night ESPN game with Auburn. Meanwhile, EKU rallies around a tragedy and plays their hearts out for a fallen teammate.

 

[KYCAT78]

Many have just referenced "play-calling" as something lacking Saturday, but could there have been a REASON for the type of play-calling we used?

Namely, could we have been HOLDING BACK stuff--both offensively and defensively--for Auburn? I haven't been able to watch a replay, but was there a significant change in what was called on those last 2 O and D drives that seemed to make us look like a totally different team than the rest of the game?

No disrespect but it is time to move on. We won that is all that matters, it is time to focus on AU.

 

[Caveman Catfan]

On the INTs, I think PT thought he could do things against EKU that he cannot against other teams and was wrong. Baker is good, that does not mean the two guys guarding him are bad and will just lose out on a jump ball. Those two INTs were just back yard wing it type plays. Not smart.

 

[Caveman Catfan]

BTW, the last three TDs were not fancy drives. Dawson saw the out and under neath were available and he kept going to it. It looked kind of like Mumme ball. Throw to the RB in the flats, the out to WRs with others blocking and that little pass where the WO comes back behind the LOS. I think EKU did not want to be burned deep, so we just did the underneath stuff and let our players get YACs.

 

[kats23]

Stop. Just stop! The first Q, the play calling wasn't bad. Saw a lot of the same play calling that I saw in the Mizzou game. The two picks killed 2 drives and that's what TO's will do to an offense, even with the O-line not playing great. You have to take care of the ball. 2 scores on those 2 drives and we have a whole different ballgame.

 

[4UK]

Simply, our OLine sucked.
Couldn't run, couldn't pass protect.

Towles was running for his life the first half.

JoJo and Mikel have to stop bouncing plays to the outside. I saw many a hole open off left tackle where our backs were either dancing in place or running right at a manpile.

Lastly, EKU made plays.

You're right, but it's not just JoJo and Mikel. Boom does it as well, and so do our receivers. We have the "home run" syndrome, instead of just making the good football play.

Badet tried a spin move on the sideline instead of just being satisfied with a first-down catch, and he ended up with a fumble.

Johnson (at least I think it was Johnson) had a first down, then gave it up by running backwards in an attempt to make the hero play. Instead of first down, it set up second and short. Dawson called a deep ball (which is a pretty standard play call in that situation), Towles threw it short and EKU got the pick. If it's 1st-10 instead of 2nd-1 there, I'm not sure that's the play call.

 

[KyCatFan]

I just wish we would play with a sense of urgency all the time. Get up to the line quick with the no huddle and do the hurry up offense we saw at the end if the game. Nickel and dime them to death with the quick short stuff and then hit the homerun.

We just are so much more effective when we play an attacking style. I don't understand why we refuse to do it more often. It wears the defense down due to lack of substitutions as well. Against Auburn, I hope we get the ball first and go all out aggressive right off the bat. Hold off on that conservative play calling for if we have a 2 score lead late in the 4th quarter.

 

[southindycat]

I thought all week it was a colossal error by Stoops to say Barker would definitely play. It sent the wrong message and EKU probably took it as a slap in the face.

Agree 100% with this point. CMS probably agrees as well, in hindsight, though he would probably refuse to admit it, and tell you he did not mean that he expected a lopsided affair. He is still learning on the job at times. I am not going to call for his head over it.

 

[RDCat07]

i don't think we were holding back. I think it was just a case of over looking your opponent and focusing on the next game, it happens all the time in all sports

 

[Comebakatz3]

On the INTs, I think PT thought he could do things against EKU that he cannot against other teams and was wrong. Baker is good, that does not mean the two guys guarding him are bad and will just lose out on a jump ball. Those two INTs were just back yard wing it type plays. Not smart.

I will say this, Stanley Absanon looked outstanding. He's a guy I'd love to have playing for us. He's a senior so that isn't possible, but I think EKU really found a great diamond in him. He stuck with Baker and made some big plays.

 

[TBCat]

Many have just referenced "play-calling" as something lacking Saturday, but could there have been a REASON for the type of play-calling we used?

Namely, could we have been HOLDING BACK stuff--both offensively and defensively--for Auburn? I haven't been able to watch a replay, but was there a significant change in what was called on those last 2 O and D drives that seemed to make us look like a totally different team than the rest of the game?

"Holding back" is theory that is often used but it almost never has any merit. There might be a special gadget play that we held back such as last year we held back on the reverse pass to Timmons until the USC game. However even then you are talking about 1 play. Auburn has already seen at least 90% of the plays that we will use against them. The Problem Saturday was poor execution. Our play book didn't look anymore conservative than it did against Missouri.