I attended today's game at KF. Today was obviously a flat performance by our team and a gutsy performance by the Mocs. Still, after FL St was beaten by Jacksonville St and several other Power 5 teams have already gone down in shocking upsets, I think you just have to take the W, learn from it, and move on. Unlike some other people, I don't see a need for recriminations after a W, when a great season is still within reach. But we should be realistic about what we saw today. And I think we have to give a certain amount of respect to Chattanooga, a nationally ranked FCS team favored to win the Southern Conference. They played their hearts out. Thank goodness for Tyrell Ajian.
Anyway, on to my observations-
1. Our players' heads were not in this game. This isn't a bad time for our players to learn they have to "bring it" every week, regardless of opponent. This game was put on UK's schedule as an automatic win, and our players approached it that way. That's on everyone. Players and coaches too.
2. We have a new offensive coordinator and a starting QB who wasn't here in the spring. So our offense is a work in progress. That's why I originally thought Gatewood might start in September before giving way to Levis. It didn't work out that way because Levis was better in August. But today we saw the downside of a new QB in a new system, on a day when he wasn't sharp. Way too many mental mistakes and poor throws. To his credit, though, Levis rallied and hit Izayah Cummings for the decisive score. But this would not have been a winning performance against an SEC opponent, and everyone understands that.
3. Chris Rodriguez is one of the best RBs in the country, but CRod got just 13 carries today. Have we gotten too pass happy? You can't take advantage of a strong OL unless you wear down the opponent physically. If your OL is asked to play on their heels all day, you give the opponent opportunities and you can get this kind of a performance.
4. If our offense is going to be pass happy, utilize the RBs as receivers so that Levis can get pressure on the LBs (instead of the other way around) and get the ball out of his hand before the pressure comes. You don't have to throw deep on every pass.
5. We don't have a pass rush. Jordan Wright missed the game with an injury, and Josh Paschal isn't 100% either. Those injuries hurt, but this was Chattanooga. This won't work in October. Brad White needs to get to work.
6. Too many stupid penalties called against our defense. Illegal substitution TWICE? Stoops had a legitimate beef on the first one, because we should have been given the right to substitute. Still, come on Brad. Personal foul. Defensive holding. Off sides. You don't win that way.
7. Aside from PATs, we are getting nothing from our special teams. Our tactical punting has taken a step backward. Our punt return team is passive. Our kickoff returns are not blocked very well. This is costing us field position, and we started our possessions from poor field position almost all day today.
8. Next week will be our first road game. I am confident we are better than SCar, but OTOH a good scouting job by Beamer's staff will reveal a lot of vulnerabilities they can exploit. Let's hope we can exploit SCar's vulnerabilities too.
9. Almost every college football team delivers at least one flat performance during the year. If our players respond the correct way and learn, that's alright. But if bad habits are formed and our game prep doesn't get better, that would be very unfortunate. We have to prepare better this week for the road game.
10. The behavior of some fans in the stadium today was a real downer. Fans ARE the culture. To some people, complaining seems more important than winning. Same for this board. Come on. There is no such thing as "the curse of Eddie Gran". 3-0 teams don't deserve to be trashed. Being disappointed in certain aspects of the performance is one thing. (Today, I know I am.) But throwing the baby out with the bath water is another. Too many incurable pessimists. The truth is, Stoops is the best thing that has happened to UK football since Bear Bryant, and Stoops might eventually catch Bryant. He has earned our support. This was not a stellar day, but we are 3-0 and it can still be an excellent season.
Anyway, on to my observations-
1. Our players' heads were not in this game. This isn't a bad time for our players to learn they have to "bring it" every week, regardless of opponent. This game was put on UK's schedule as an automatic win, and our players approached it that way. That's on everyone. Players and coaches too.
2. We have a new offensive coordinator and a starting QB who wasn't here in the spring. So our offense is a work in progress. That's why I originally thought Gatewood might start in September before giving way to Levis. It didn't work out that way because Levis was better in August. But today we saw the downside of a new QB in a new system, on a day when he wasn't sharp. Way too many mental mistakes and poor throws. To his credit, though, Levis rallied and hit Izayah Cummings for the decisive score. But this would not have been a winning performance against an SEC opponent, and everyone understands that.
3. Chris Rodriguez is one of the best RBs in the country, but CRod got just 13 carries today. Have we gotten too pass happy? You can't take advantage of a strong OL unless you wear down the opponent physically. If your OL is asked to play on their heels all day, you give the opponent opportunities and you can get this kind of a performance.
4. If our offense is going to be pass happy, utilize the RBs as receivers so that Levis can get pressure on the LBs (instead of the other way around) and get the ball out of his hand before the pressure comes. You don't have to throw deep on every pass.
5. We don't have a pass rush. Jordan Wright missed the game with an injury, and Josh Paschal isn't 100% either. Those injuries hurt, but this was Chattanooga. This won't work in October. Brad White needs to get to work.
6. Too many stupid penalties called against our defense. Illegal substitution TWICE? Stoops had a legitimate beef on the first one, because we should have been given the right to substitute. Still, come on Brad. Personal foul. Defensive holding. Off sides. You don't win that way.
7. Aside from PATs, we are getting nothing from our special teams. Our tactical punting has taken a step backward. Our punt return team is passive. Our kickoff returns are not blocked very well. This is costing us field position, and we started our possessions from poor field position almost all day today.
8. Next week will be our first road game. I am confident we are better than SCar, but OTOH a good scouting job by Beamer's staff will reveal a lot of vulnerabilities they can exploit. Let's hope we can exploit SCar's vulnerabilities too.
9. Almost every college football team delivers at least one flat performance during the year. If our players respond the correct way and learn, that's alright. But if bad habits are formed and our game prep doesn't get better, that would be very unfortunate. We have to prepare better this week for the road game.
10. The behavior of some fans in the stadium today was a real downer. Fans ARE the culture. To some people, complaining seems more important than winning. Same for this board. Come on. There is no such thing as "the curse of Eddie Gran". 3-0 teams don't deserve to be trashed. Being disappointed in certain aspects of the performance is one thing. (Today, I know I am.) But throwing the baby out with the bath water is another. Too many incurable pessimists. The truth is, Stoops is the best thing that has happened to UK football since Bear Bryant, and Stoops might eventually catch Bryant. He has earned our support. This was not a stellar day, but we are 3-0 and it can still be an excellent season.
