The comments from Forrest about defending Lamar Jackson are concerning.
I understand that people are frustrated at UK's inability to defend the read option and mobile quarterback. This is a legitimate concern and one that has existed at UK from time immemorial before and during the Stoops era.
That said, I feel compelled to post that I do not understand the level of vitriol directed at what D.J. Eliot has done. Considering that it's tougher most places to scheme your way to defensive success against superior talent than the other way around, considering that UK lost Za'Darius Smith and Bud Dupree, considering the significant injury to Melvin Lewis (on and off field), considering that there were four freshmen in the secondary much of the second half of the season, considering that many of the backups are very young players that don't really need to be playing yet -- I am surprised at the criticism, frankly.
Lafayette -- Defense played well. Just broke late in the game with young backups in after the offense called way too many deep shots. 10 points allowed til that point.
EKU -- Not a good performance. But Towles was also very inconsistent as was the offense and EKU's 4.4 yards per play were not terrible.
South Carolina -- Held them to 22 points, ON THE ROAD, when the offense did absolutely nothing 2nd half.
Florida -- Held them to 14 points and the ONLY touchdown was on a short field the offense provided.
Missouri -- Held them to 13 points.
Miss St/ Tennessee -- Bad
UGA -- Bulldogs had 10 points at halftime. Offense was awful. Eight first downs.
Vanderbilt -- Defense should have pitched a shutout.
Charlotte -- Defense should have given up 3 points.
Louisville -- Defense held them to 7 first half points, only broke after offense failed time and time and time again. Did not adjust well however.
I understand that people are frustrated at UK's inability to defend the read option and mobile quarterback. This is a legitimate concern and one that has existed at UK from time immemorial before and during the Stoops era.
That said, I feel compelled to post that I do not understand the level of vitriol directed at what D.J. Eliot has done. Considering that it's tougher most places to scheme your way to defensive success against superior talent than the other way around, considering that UK lost Za'Darius Smith and Bud Dupree, considering the significant injury to Melvin Lewis (on and off field), considering that there were four freshmen in the secondary much of the second half of the season, considering that many of the backups are very young players that don't really need to be playing yet -- I am surprised at the criticism, frankly.
Lafayette -- Defense played well. Just broke late in the game with young backups in after the offense called way too many deep shots. 10 points allowed til that point.
EKU -- Not a good performance. But Towles was also very inconsistent as was the offense and EKU's 4.4 yards per play were not terrible.
South Carolina -- Held them to 22 points, ON THE ROAD, when the offense did absolutely nothing 2nd half.
Florida -- Held them to 14 points and the ONLY touchdown was on a short field the offense provided.
Missouri -- Held them to 13 points.
Miss St/ Tennessee -- Bad
UGA -- Bulldogs had 10 points at halftime. Offense was awful. Eight first downs.
Vanderbilt -- Defense should have pitched a shutout.
Charlotte -- Defense should have given up 3 points.
Louisville -- Defense held them to 7 first half points, only broke after offense failed time and time and time again. Did not adjust well however.
