Back from another (and likely last) start-of-school absence to basically say HECK YEAH! This weekend’s game was a huge 27-2 STATEMENT to the media, fans, and the rest of the college football world that Kentucky isn’t going away quietly just because they lost some key players. The amazing efforts of the UK Coaches, Players, Administration, and Fans to pull this program up by sheer force of will from the depths of probation and a losing pedigree are starting to show some sustainable results as the whoopin’ the green Cardinals received in the Pizza Pit demonstrated. So without further ado here is a look at some of the stuff we found out about the ‘08 Cats this weekend.
The Offense
- Mike Hartline was impressive in his efficiency. Sure Brooks and Co. wanted to keep things simple but quite often green Quarterbacks making their first start on the road can’t help but mess up, often in big ways. Mike didn’t look like a playmaker out there but he DID look like he had been out there before and limited his mistakes. People don’t realize that he would have had a pretty big day if 3-4 wide open passes that were dropped has been completed. With the time he now has to work on his game and the offense he might be pretty good come Alabama.
- The running game was surely disappointing but not as bad as it seems. The Cards were stacking the box and Kentucky was diving right into the teeth of it. Not much success today but things weren’t mixed up at all and things weren’t happening in the passing game.
- Its obvious that Lanxter will be big for us at receiver but the hand did not look good. He dropped a TD pass and another that would have gone for a big game. Both passes were actually in his hands but it looked like he couldn’t get an actual grip on it.
- Man, Randall Cobb is already clutch. Besides leading UK in receiving it should be noted that all 3 of his catches went for 1st downs. He was composed out there when running and catching the ball and even took a few snaps from center. He showed that he is an elite athlete and I am excited to see what UK will do with him.
- The tight ends didn’t look as bad as they could have but they need to find a way to get open or at least block for the run.
The Defense
- Absolutely better than could be expected. I know we all heard and knew that the defense would be better this year but I don’t think anyone expected these guys to come out and flat out DOMINATE someone. Sure UofL isn’t that good but in the past this defense is what forced us to have to outscore the cupcakes on our schedule rather than dominate them. They shut down a running game that was anchored by a big line and 3 solid backs, and made “future NFL pick” Hunter Cantwell look absolutely awful.
- The days of porousness against the run should thankfully be almost over. Our huge front line was keeping the holes small and all the linebackers were excellent in the gaps. We showed some great flashes of highlight reel playmaking and managed 2 defensive TD, better than anything I’ve EVER seen at Kentucky.
- Gotta love our depth at corner. Besides Lindley who is always good, we had David Jones defending pass after pass with awesome athleticism, McAtee tackling well, and Shomari Moore looking good in coverage and getting into the backfield.
- Damn it was great to see Ricky Lumpkin out there. The guy has been through so much and he looked on par with Pryor and Peters out there, flatout dominating some guards on the line.
- The pass rush wasn’t 2002-esque but I think that has to do with the fact that the Cardinal offensive line is actually pretty good. Regardless there was always a good disruptive push and we managed to tip plenty of balls and force some turnovers.
Special Teams
- Looks like Roark and Henderson are our new kickblocking heroes, something we’ve been missing since Pulley and Lonnel Dewalt went MIA from the program. Both are athletic 6′6 guys and will have a chance to make some great plays if they keep up the effort.
- Mathsay was absolutely clutch on kickoffs. We saw touchback after touchback out there followed by the AMAZING 79 yard kick off after the safety that might have completely saved the game for us when the momentum was changing. He is averaging 42.8 on punts right now too, a good average he can hopefully keep up.
- Lones Sieber made his chip shots and missed the big one, yet again. Just another day in the office, move along.
Look for the UK/Norfolk St. Preview Tomorrow as well as some big updates from this week in UK football as we prepare for the second weekend of college football.