John Clay: In Defeating Missouri, This Kentucky Team Shows It's Capable Of A Special Season 사설토토
Sep. 12—And abruptly, for this Kentucky football crew, huge things appear to be conceivable.
We're talking Kentucky football. We're talking UK's 35-28 triumph over the meeting Missouri Tigers on Saturday night. We're discussing Mark Stoops' crew currently being 2-0 in general, 1-0 in the SEC and the glad proprietors of a critical September triumph that opened the entryways — fingers crossed — for what could be an exceptional season.
We're discussing a group that can score focuses. Through two games, that has had a significant effect for these 2021 Wildcats. Up until now, the recruiting of hostile organizer Liam Coen has been a crushing achievement. To begin with, UK's new-look assault dialed into the profound ball to set up 45 focuses on modest ULM. Saturday night, before a group in full throat, Coen toned it down to the ground game to stack 35 focuses on Mizzou.
"We needed to build up the run," Coen said subsequently.
Job well done. Coen tossed an Eddie Gran number at the Tigers, moving up 340 yards on the ground. Chris Rodriguez scrambled for 206 and three scores. (A lost bobble in the end zone kept him from four scores.) He arrived at the midpoint of 7.7 yards per convey. Wan'Dale Robinson flew 64 yards on a stream clear. Quarterback Will Levis brought down his shoulder for key first downs.
"I woke up feeling quick today," Levis said a while later.
What was Rodriguez's response to his QB going all domineering jerk ball on Mizzou?
"That man is unique," said the lesser running back.
These Cats are unique. You know, the focuses thing. After Missouri attached the game at 28-all with 13:11 leftover in the game, Kentucky zipped directly down the field, covering 75 yards in a simple five plays to retake the lead and at last the game. Rodriguez ripped off a 28-yard run. Two players later, in what was Coen's best play call of the evening — "Mentor (Vince) Marrow was pushing for it," said the OC of UK's tight closures mentor — Levis tossed a screen pass that tight end Justin Rigg transformed into a 28-yard acquire. One play later, the Cats were back in the end zone, then, at that point clutched the last horn.
It's initial, yet Coen ought to be in the discussion for the country's best new facilitator recruit. UK acquired 519 yards in a Missouri group that held the Cats to 10 focuses in a 10-point Tigers win last season. Acknowledge Stoops and Coen for cleverly naming Levis the beginning quarterback from the get-go in camp. The Penn State move has given UK both a solid arm and a solid character.
Be that as it may, did Rodriguez keep thinking about whether the new OC's appearance implied less opportunities to convey the football? No, the lesser said Saturday. He'd seen the Los Angeles Rams offense, of which Coen had helped mentor. Todd Gurley was one of Rodriguez's #1 players. "I wasn't concerned," said the back.
Looking forward to the remainder of UK's timetable
Here is the main concern: Imagine the conceivable outcomes. FCS program Chattanooga comes to Kroger Field on Saturday, then, at that point Kentucky plays its first street game, Sept. 25 at South Carolina. UK could be, make that ought to be 4-0 when Florida comes to Lexington on Oct. 2.
The Gators have been agreeable in their initial two games, prevails upon in-state schools FAU and USF. From that point forward, LSU has battled out of the entryway. Ed Orgeron's group followed that 38-27 misfortune at UCLA with a ho-murmur 34-7 win over McNeese State on Saturday.
After that Oct. 16 excursion to Georgia, Kentucky could be supported in every one of its last five games — Oct. 30 at Mississippi State; Nov. 6 Tennessee; Nov. 13 at Vanderbilt; Nov. 20 New Mexico State and Nov. 27 at Louisville. Mississippi State almost lost its opener to Louisiana Tech. Tennessee lost at home to Pittsburgh. Vanderbilt lost at home to East Tennessee State. New Mexico State is now 0-3. Louisville followed Ole Miss 26-0 at the half last Monday.
"Our best football is before us," Stoops forewarned Saturday.
Alright, OK, we're a simple two games down, with 10 to go. Be that as it may, from what we've seen up until now, this Kentucky group can do something extraordinary. Saturday night's triumph worked everything out.