Observations

[gamecockcat]

1. Both lines need to get much better. 2 ypc on the ground against MAC is not getting it done. Multiple sacks given up. Certainly missed CRod but I didn't see many holes to run through. RJ getting banged up hurt. McClain still not impressing. Surprised Wroght didn't get a few more carries as he looked like he ran hard. Not much pressure on the QB for Miami. Their running game was better than ours.
2. Like the offensive scheme a lot. Thought Scan called a really good game. Balls spread around as expected.
3. Key and Brown are the real deal. TRob is darn good, too.
4. Secondary came up and tackled well. Still gave too much cushion, imo.
5. Levis solid, but not spectacular, game. Made mainly really good decisions.
6. Ruffalo from 50 - excellent!

A lot to improve upon but a 24 point win can't be a disappointment. On to the Swamp!

 

[backinky2018]

Really thought we mostly lost at both lines of scrimmage. Special teams excellent. WR room much better than expected, while RB room is worse than I had hoped.

Agree with your other points.

 

[rolaid]

Barry Sanders couldn’t run behind that line
Got there asses whipped - good film to watch
Dline not much better zero push - very surprised there
Sure in the hell will not be cocky going to Florida

 

[gamecockcat]

Really thought we mostly lost at both lines of scrimmage. Special teams excellent. WR room much better than expected, while RB room is worse than I had hoped.

Agree with your other points.

I am/was especially surprised at our DL mediocre performance. Figured we had a lot of talented Dlinemen but sure didn't play that way tonight. Very underwhelming.

 

[K_TIME]

Issues:
1. We knew we'd take a step back on the OLine.....but this looks like more than a few small steps. This looked pretty bad IMO. And given the OLine was really bad in the Citrus Bowl on the left side....maybe it is talent and not coaching from Yenser?
2. Run Lavell Wright....enough of Smoke, McClain is way too small to play RB. Wright was much better...and the block he threw on the Levis deep shot to Brown on last TD drive....he lit that dude up. I hope we find the right RB rotation with Jefferson or Wright.....I'm done looking at Smoke and McClain.
3. We might have dropped off on DLine a bit. Rogers just doesn't do much for me still. I like Ox, Walker is a massive dude...but I'm not sure we have a Bohanna, Bully type guy to control the LOS.
4. Still no edge pass rush....I don't buy Jordan Wright as legit edge rusher when he's back...JJ is decent but he's not even as good as Boogie Watson.
5. I think teams will pick on Keidron Smith and Dre Phillips at oppose CB.

Strengths:
1. Robinson, Key and Brown are big time WR core.....this is our most talent WR group since Lyons, Burton and Stevie johnson....maybe they'll be better
2. I like the Lber unit. Square and J Jones were very active. Get Trevein Wallace back...I think we'll be pretty top notch SEC LBer core.
3. Scangerello....calls a nice game IMO. Good execution, we catch the football, we don't shoot ourselves in foot much, nice balance, etc...
4. Special teams looked good. Partial block kick, TD on kickoff, long punt return by Tayvion...Ruffalo was right down the middle on all FG kicks.
5. Some of the kids looked talented. Alex Afari was getting things done, Keaton Wade did some needed edge LBer plays, Deonne Walker at times caved in pocket, Dane Key caught everything,

 

[bigblueinsanity]

OL really disappointed especially at LT. If wohl is the best we have, it will be an adventure. We definitely won't reach heights we otherwise might. Really frustrating considering we finally have the skill players.

DL looked solid but not explosive. Going to miss the explosion of bully and paschal

 

[HalHR2500]

Offensive line play was poor - they weren’t picking up twists, stunts or run blitzes

 

[TOMCATS1990]

Always nice to get the W but have lots of room for improvement. Florida next week is a huge step up in competition so they better be ready.

 

[Wildcats1st]

Always nice to get the W but have lots of room for improvement. Florida next week is a huge step up in competition so they better be ready.

It’s nice to blow a team out and come out of it with areas where there is massive room for improvement. It was an ugly win but we handled them and that says a lot out our floor. Stoops is great at working out the weaknesses

 

[bigblueinsanity]

Offensive line play was poor - they weren’t picking up twists, stunts or run blitzes

They were completely lost on twists. Completely lost

 

[KYJamm]

Offensive Line Grade - C.
Defensive Line Grade - C-.

A lot of room for improvement.

 

[BBBLazing]

My biggest disappointment, other than maybe the OLine, is our dipshit fans that can't figure out the ESPN app on their smart tvs. Do you all realize fans of other teams read this blog and are likely making fun of you people for bitching because you can't come into the 21st century with electronics. I'm 86, I cut the cord 10 years ago. I have YouTubeTV and was able to watch the game no problem on the ESPN app on my Roku Tv. Didn't pay to watch it. Didn't sign up for ESPN+. Just watched it. Come on guys, you make us all look bad.

 

[Tskware]

Stoops and Brad White like to play three really big guys on defense in the middle, and overall, you cannot argue with the results. But we also have suffered from a lack of pass rush pretty much for two or three years, not sure what the answer is, but expecting 330 pound guys to get sacks is unrealistic.

 

[trueblujr2]

1. Both lines need to get much better. 2 ypc on the ground against MAC is not getting it done. Multiple sacks given up. Certainly missed CRod but I didn't see many holes to run through. RJ getting banged up hurt. McClain still not impressing. Surprised Wroght didn't get a few more carries as he looked like he ran hard. Not much pressure on the QB for Miami. Their running game was better than ours.
2. Like the offensive scheme a lot. Thought Scan called a really good game. Balls spread around as expected.
3. Key and Brown are the real deal. TRob is darn good, too.
4. Secondary came up and tackled well. Still gave too much cushion, imo.
5. Levis solid, but not spectacular, game. Made mainly really good decisions.
6. Ruffalo from 50 - excellent!

A lot to improve upon but a 24 point win can't be a disappointment. On to the Swamp!

Brown can be another Lynn Bowden, Key can be another Randall Cobb, Robinson could be, well, another Robinson. And all on the same team.

 

[entropy13]

Offensive Line Grade - D.
Defensive Line Grade - C.

A lot of room for improvement.

FYP.

 

[JHB4UK]

I said back in May when the 1st reports of CRod suspension came out that UK should keep the ball in the hands of its best player now- Levis. I wish we threw it every down.

It wasn't that the run game was bad, but it made no sense. No attempts to use all these TEs they have bragged about to seal the edge and get a RB wide. Gonna assume the Gators next Sat night get A LOT of jet sweeps. Last season Coen saved it for week 2 with Wandale against Mizzou, for like a 60 yd gain. Do it with Barion, he can outrun the Florida D!

 

[Dead Cat Bounce]

I couldn’t watch the game and am curious to know, how much credit does Miami’s D-Line deserve for our offensive struggle. At one point in the third quarter, it sounded as if Miami was going all out against the run. Did they have size? Credible scheming? Or is the problem all on our side of the ball?

 

[HerrosHeroes]

Brown can be another Lynn Bowden, Key can be another Randall Cobb, Robinson could be, well, another Robinson. And all on the same team.

Good gravy that trio is scary.

 

[HalHR2500]

The running game has to improve, Miami had more hats at point of attack which is troubling

 

[gamecockcat]

Issues:
1. We knew we'd take a step back on the OLine.....but this looks like more than a few small steps. This looked pretty bad IMO. And given the OLine was really bad in the Citrus Bowl on the left side....maybe it is talent and not coaching from Yenser?
2. Run Lavell Wright....enough of Smoke, McClain is way too small to play RB. Wright was much better...and the block he threw on the Levis deep shot to Brown on last TD drive....he lit that dude up. I hope we find the right RB rotation with Jefferson or Wright.....I'm done looking at Smoke and McClain.
3. We might have dropped off on DLine a bit. Rogers just doesn't do much for me still. I like Ox, Walker is a massive dude...but I'm not sure we have a Bohanna, Bully type guy to control the LOS.
4. Still no edge pass rush....I don't buy Jordan Wright as legit edge rusher when he's back...JJ is decent but he's not even as good as Boogie Watson.
5. I think teams will pick on Keidron Smith and Dre Phillips at oppose CB.

Strengths:
1. Robinson, Key and Brown are big time WR core.....this is our most talent WR group since Lyons, Burton and Stevie johnson....maybe they'll be better
2. I like the Lber unit. Square and J Jones were very active. Get Trevein Wallace back...I think we'll be pretty top notch SEC LBer core.
3. Scangerello....calls a nice game IMO. Good execution, we catch the football, we don't shoot ourselves in foot much, nice balance, etc...
4. Special teams looked good. Partial block kick, TD on kickoff, long punt return by Tayvion...Ruffalo was right down the middle on all FG kicks.
5. Some of the kids looked talented. Alex Afari was getting things done, Keaton Wade did some needed edge LBer plays, Deonne Walker at times caved in pocket, Dane Key caught everything,

Really good post. Strongly agree with #2, run L Wright. Smoke is, at best, a change of pace guy. McClain just isn't big or fast enough to warrant more than a carry or two and maybe come out of the backfield for a pass. Have yet to see what the coaches see in him. OL needs a lot of coaching. Think the talent is there but missing assignments, losing their man, etc can't happen against good teams or we're toast. Gotta have significant improvement on both lines.

 

[bbncal02]

Secondary was iffy at times tonight. But towards the end started to look better.

I will never understand giving 10 yard cushions in most situations though. That drives me crazy. But for some reason White loves to do it. Bend don’t break to me is like death by a thousand cuts. Sure 10 yards doesn’t break you but give up 5 of those and it’s half the field. If you get beat man to man, it sucks but at least you know at that point where your mismatches are.

OL of course. Woof. Getting Horsey back will help but my goodness. There was NO pride on that line tonight. That’s unacceptable. If I was the OL coach that’s a 6am phone call to my guys to get their butts in the gym. I’d be embarrassed with their performance tonight. Stoops can not have been happy with that. Awful.

Offense looked great at times and awful at others. When Levis has time, he looks phenomenal. But he’s going to have to get used to throwing under constant pressure. That’s the game in the pros. He did it well a couple of times tonight. And then he hesitated a couple of others. INT was really the only bad decision he made all night. Much improved on his consistency. We werent going “which Levis shows up for this drive”.

RBs took a hit tonight. Smoke is solid but he can’t do what CRod does. He’s a speed/finesse back. You can’t ask Smoke to plow up the middle all night. You have to make lanes for him. And with our OL? Yeeeeah. CRod is better at power running but if the OL doesn’t improve he will struggle as well. And CRod in too much traffic could lead to TOs.

Special Teams were great. And the star of the game. 100yd return for the first time since 2009? Awesome. The fumble to get another score? Great. And how nice it is to have a kicker again.

Gonna have to play better next weekend for sure.

 

[JPFisher]

Not all that concerned with DLine. Ox was a force last year and we've got some good players around him.

OLine is concerning, but it'll be testament to Yenser's coaching to see how quickly he can shape these guys up. First real serious game minutes for a lot of them AND a new Center. They pretty clearly were confused by defensive line trickery. That's fixable. One of the sacks, Wohl just looked the complete wrong direction and got blown by. There'll be growing pains, but they're fixable. I don't think it's a talent issue in the slightest. Jmo.

 

[StubbornPenny]

I saw Key’s team lose to Warren in the state title game. All my wife and I could say was “why aren’t they throwing it to Key, he’s twice as big and fast as these other kids!”

he looked bigger and faster last night!

 

[Rockford]

Still gave too much cushion, imo.

It's designed that way, to not give up the big play. A Stoops Feature, if you will. Has been and will be, wether we like it or not.

I will never understand giving 10 yard cushions in most situations though.

see above

Special Teams were great. And the star of the game. 100yd return for the first time since 2009? Awesome. The fumble to get another score? Great. And how nice it is to have a kicker again.

Agree. Plus, blocked a punt!

 

[Old_Red]

I'm not sold on zone blocking. We have to get way better at finding people past the LOS or we won't be getting many big runs.

 

[wildcatglenn]

Smoke cannot block, we now see why he has dropped on the depth chart.
I am concerned about the OLine. Hopefully they can watch some film this week and get better.
Levis still throws behind his WRs too much. I was hoping he'd improve on that.
Giving 15 yrds of cushion on 3rd and 10 is just what they do. I've learned to live with it 🙄

 

[bbncal02]

I'm not sold on zone blocking. We have to get way better at finding people past the LOS or we won't be getting many big runs.

I’ve never cared for it. I think it can work in the pros. But in most situations. You have your man, block him. Zone blocking has a tendency to fall victim to switching schemes unless you’re clear on exactly who you’re supposed to get.

Week 1 though and a young line. Hopefully they get better.

 

[bbncal02]

Giving 15 yrds of cushion on 3rd and 10 is just what they do. I've learned to live with it 🙄

I will never live with it. I hate it when JV teams do it. I get it. Not every team can run man. But doggone it. 5 yard cushion is plenty. 10 yard cushions in todays game will break just as much as mismatch in man. WRs are faster. And giving that much cushion, gives him that more room to accelerate and fly by. I understand it’s purpose per se. I just hate it being used ALL. THE. TIME.

 

[coachcombs57]

Offensive line play was poor - they weren’t picking up twists, stunts or run blitzes

You're not wrong, but we started two young dudes on that side. Not super surprising. Itll get worked on and hopefully get horsey full strength.

 

[Johnfarrel]

The D line must hace done somethings right. After giving up 75 yards and a touchdown on the first drive, they allowed two field goals and around 200 yards the rest of the game.

 

[NostraDanis]

Keep in mind we all saw a great big scoop of vanilla last night. The problems are there, but if you can win easily without showing Florida (and others) how you plan to fix them, you do it.

Stoops and co. have earned my respect and opinion that they have a plan, and it's probably a good one. Go Cats!

 

[BigBlueManSouthCentralKY]

Surprised Wright isn't getting most snaps now. Drennen looked great in the spring because of his speed and getting through little holes quickly. Where is he? Super shocked at OL. Knew Cox would be solid and thought the left side would be OK. The size of the right side, they should be pile driving people to the ground, no excuse. Not mean enough or too slow? Left side not quick enough with no attitude? From what I saw of Florida the OL may be the difference in that game. Our guys do their job feel good about it. They don't, I don't.

Richardson busting long plays all night long for Florida, the number one for our D should be to spy AR and light him up anytime he thinks about running. A big part of their offense is him running, so if he allowed to do that will be very disappointed in White.

 

[UKat51]

It’s nice to blow a team out and come out of it with areas where there is massive room for improvement. It was an ugly win but we handled them and that says a lot out our floor. Stoops is great at working out the weaknesses

Vegas had UK as a 15.5 point favorite and we won by 24. Vegas had o/u at 54.5 points and the game total was 50.

Miami supposed to be best team in MAC. Other teams registering blowouts yesterday played lesser opponents

Take win, administer corrective actions and open prepare for Florida game

 

[Doodah859]

I’ve never cared for it. I think it can work in the pros. But in most situations. You have your man, block him. Zone blocking has a tendency to fall victim to switching schemes unless you’re clear on exactly who you’re supposed to get.

Week 1 though and a young line. Hopefully they get better.

We have been zone blocking for years, but inside zone. They want to incorporate more wide zone to help with play action. We ran it well against a few teams last year, but our line has been so good at inside zone and gap blocking we can't really abandon it. They'll get better.

 

[CB3UK]

My biggest disappointment, other than maybe the OLine, is our dipshit fans that can't figure out the ESPN app on their smart tvs. Do you all realize fans of other teams read this blog and are likely making fun of you people for bitching because you can't come into the 21st century with electronics. I'm 86, I cut the cord 10 years ago. I have YouTubeTV and was able to watch the game no problem on the ESPN app on my Roku Tv. Didn't pay to watch it. Didn't sign up for ESPN+. Just watched it. Come on guys, you make us all look bad.

We still had people yesterday asking "what channel is the game on" in a thread titled "THE GAME IS STREAMING ONLY."

 

[bbncal02]

We have been zone blocking for years, but inside zone. They want to incorporate more wide zone to help with play action. We ran it well against a few teams last year, but our line has been so good at inside zone and gap blocking we can't really abandon it. They'll get better.

And that’s what I mean. You have to have the personal for it. We just don’t right now. I think they’ll get better too. I didn’t see anything last night that wasn’t fixable. It just need fixing quickly.

 

[Eccain01]

The Oline was awful and honestly I still don’t see the hype about McClain. I think the defense was fine but Rogers isn’t better than Hayes and they need to go ahead and make that switch. Well prolly be fine long term but next week is tough

 

[vhcat70]

Stoops and Brad White like to play three really big guys on defense in the middle, and overall, you cannot argue with the results. But we also have suffered from a lack of pass rush pretty much for two or three years, not sure what the answer is, but expecting 330 pound guys to get sacks is unrealistic.

But I do expect them to get push to collapse pocket to force QB;s towards our outside rushers. And DE's are typically down around 275-280.

 

[vhcat70]

Brown can be another Lynn Bowden, Key can be another Randall Cobb, Robinson could be, well, another Robinson. And all on the same team.

Somewhat different take:
- No one could/can read D's in the open field & change direction like LBJ. No one.
- Maybe Brown has good moves, but his pure speed is his calling card. Nice card too.
- Key reminds me more of Stevie Johnson and Keenan Burton. IOW, topnotch.
- Robinson does a good imitation of LBJ and Wandale, but not quite. That leaves him just dang good.

 

[vhcat70]

Surprised Wright isn't getting most snaps now. Drennen looked great in the spring because of his speed and getting through little holes quickly. Where is he? Super shocked at OL. Knew Cox would be solid and thought the left side would be OK. The size of the right side, they should be pile driving people to the ground, no excuse. Not mean enough or too slow? Left side not quick enough with no attitude? From what I saw of Florida the OL may be the difference in that game. Our guys do their job feel good about it. They don't, I don't.

Richardson busting long plays all night long for Florida, the number one for our D should be to spy AR and light him up anytime he thinks about running. A big part of their offense is him running, so if he allowed to do that will be very disappointed in White.

I hope Drennen was dinged up since he didn't get in the game with CRod out. If not, can't see how he'll be long for the team.