What was that pivotal moment last night that caused the worm to turn?

[UKfan215]

The first half was pretty much a complete disaster for us in all aspects of the game. Penalty after penalty after penalty. We couldn't kick a field goal to save our lives. The offense looked totally confused, lethargic. CRod did some good things that half, but otherwise, there was little emotion, little effort. Defense did play well.

It was strange how in the 2nd half it was like someone flipped a light switch. Suddenly an offense and special teams that couldn't do ANYTHING right came alive and started playing with intensity and passion. There's almost always an on-field play that sparks such a reversal in fortunes. And there may have been a couple. CRod's inspired performance certainly played a big role. I think a secondary spark was provided by Levis when he ran back out on the field after his injury to play the next series. I also think it helped that we went away from the finesse game we've been developing under Scangarello and got back down to business being the bruising, punishing offense we've been known for. It was amazing how different the OL looked when we went back to playing smash mouth football.

What do you think were the crucial moments in last night's game that helped us break out of the funk we were in and start playing inspiring football again?

 

[jclrascal]

The first half was pretty much a complete disaster for us in all aspects of the game. Penalty after penalty after penalty. We couldn't kick a field goal to save our lives. The offense looked totally confused, lethargic. CRod did some good things that half, but otherwise, there was little emotion, little effort. Defense did play well.

It was strange how in the 2nd half it was like someone flipped a light switch. Suddenly an offense and special teams that couldn't do ANYTHING right came alive and started playing with intensity and passion. There's almost always an on-field play that sparks such a reversal in fortunes. And there may have been a couple. CRod's inspired performance certainly played a big role. I think a secondary spark was provided by Levis when he ran back out on the field after his injury to play the next series. I also think it helped that we went away from the finesse game we've been developing under Scangarello and got back down to business being the bruising, punishing offense we've been known for. It was amazing how different the OL looked when we went back to playing smash mouth football.

What do you think were the crucial moments in last night's game that helped us break out of the funk we were in and start playing inspiring football again?

Stoops & Marrow peeled the paint off the walls of the UK locker room at halftime...THAT was the difference...MOTIVATION!

 

[HerrosHeroes]

Levis’ 3rd down, sidearm, under pressure pass and completion to McClain for 35 yds into State Redzone.
Ripped their hearts out!

 

[YaketySax]

First half was better than that. Offense missed a FG and a turnover in the RZ or just outside of it. Defense didn’t let MSU do much of anything.

I think they played well throughout but just finished drives in the second half.

 

[ThunderMash]

When Levis came running back out of the locker room after injury. Smitty vibes.

 

[BigBlueFanGA]

When Levis came running back out of the locker room after injury. Smitty vibes.

Yes, exactly. That re-energized the team.

 

[FtWorthCat]

When Levis came running back out of the locker room after injury. Smitty vibes.

I think this is what turned it around as well. It was pretty obvious the team's energy level went up.

 

[SaltyCat22]

When I live-betted MSU. Had to pay a little bit of money for a win but glad to help out the Cats. Leach comes through again!

 

[ktbug]

Ain't but one Smitty!

 

[CB3UK]

It was indeed Smittyesque

 

[Tf2217]

Ain't but one Smitty!

True that SJ will be a legend for a long time around here.

 

[Wildcats1st]

Levis coming back in was the turning point period. Drop mic

 

[merrimanm]

Scang figuring out the CRod is actually pretty damn good and feeding him the ball.

 

[NavyCat88]

When Levis came running back out of the locker room after injury. Smitty vibes.

When Levis returned to the game, we went Crod all the way down the field and got our OL doing what OLs love to do……repeated run blocking

 

[Ed323232]

When Levis came running back out of the locker room after injury. Smitty vibes.

My first thought. Energy exploded in the whole stadium.

 

[Johnfarrel]

Ain't but one Smitty!

And he's back where he came from.

 

[Hjack]

I think the game turned after the 23rd penalty call.

 

[Catapult]

Levis coming back in was the turning point period. Drop mic

It was certainly the turning point for us, but that holding penalty on their KO return was almost as big.

 

[UKUGA]

I agree with Levis’ return, especially given the way the defense had played on Miss State’s prior possession.

However, I am going to highlight the made FG to end the half. That wasn’t even a very good snap, but we got 3 much needed points there, and we didn’t miss another kick the rest of the night.

 

[BigBlueManSouthCentralKY]

Stoops & Marrow peeled the paint off the walls of the UK locker room at halftime...THAT was the difference...MOTIVATION!

May be true because he was not happy heading to the locker room and said we had to pick it up the second half.

 

[BBNFORLIFE]

I liked the hurry up offense we went to. Seemed to get the o line in a rhythm and crod in a rhythm. We should not go back to the stall ball any more this year!!

 

[drawing_dead]

i think UK going with the hurry-up offense really helped. state could not substitute.

 

[Soupbean]

Levis’ 3rd down, sidearm, under pressure pass and completion to McClain for 35 yds into State Redzone.
Ripped their hearts out!

That was a big one for sure. We also got some timely penalty calls in our favor that kept a couple of drives alive but we earned those by putting the ball up for our guys to make plays on and put the pressure on the defense. This is what Tennessee does, they dont take sacks and get the ball out vertically and assume two good things can happen.

1. We catch it
2. We get a PI call

I think Will made some strides in this area last week. He saw that he didnt need to hold it but just get it out there and let your guys make plays. If they pick it on a vertical route its like a punt worse case most times.

 

[Johnfarrel]

Kentucky dominated the game from the start. It was the penalties that kept the score close in the first half. The worm turned when the worm started playing smarter football.

 

[tdcat]

Two things.

The injury to State's center and Levi's return to the game after injury.

 

[The-Hack]

I'm saying it was with 3 minutes to go in the Third Q, and going for it on 4th and 3, trailing 10-6.

I told those sitting nearest me "the book says kick the field goal."

Levis's lightning strike to Wallace slammed the book!!

 

[bbncal02]

When Levis came running back out of the locker room after injury. Smitty vibes.

Yep. Because right before that MsSt scored the a TD o and you just kinda felt that “here we go” stomach drop hit; like our defense had hit their limit. But out trots Levis like he just got of the bus and we’re rolling. Thank God for cortisone.

 

[bbncal02]

I'm saying it was with 3 minutes to go in the Third Q, and going for it on 4th and 3, trailing 10-6.

I told those sitting nearest me "the book says kick the field goal."

Levis's lightning strike to Wallace slammed the book!!

Yep. Stoops said Eff it and went. I loved it.

 

[Rockfly78]

The score right after the pick 6 gutted them

 

[Bluegrass79]

Doubtful we can beat them in Mississippi State. Maybe.

Rogers would play a lot better at home.

But you know state had some good wins. They were five and one.

And they got handled. ..
We made the quarterback look like nothing. They were humbled and that's facts.


Now we got this team that wears freaking Hunter Orange that needs to be humbled a little bit. The fan base thinks they can just skip the process. Back to the top in one and a half years!!!

But in 10 days they're going to play the four-time defending bowl champion Kentucky Wildcats. And we Big Blue are coming for that ass. 💯
This win will do more for our program UK to separate from you TN than anything else. And we going to get this win💯

In 10 days we're going to show TN how to slow down that fast pace bullshit that you and Ole Miss like to run.

Go ask Ole Miss the number #7 in the country how many points they scored at HOME on us playing a play every 10 seconds. Trying like hell to get UK out of position....

I'm so sure Kentucky will win, I'm willing to bet one of the sperm that I waste on Tennessee whores every time I come down there to visit. I'll bet one of them. 🤗🔥🍊