Liam Coen (UK Athletics Photo)
Even though Kentucky lost 30-13 at No. 1 Georgia, UK recruiting coordinator Vine Marrow thought offensive coordinator Liam Coen “called a great game” against the SEC’s best defense and maybe the nation’s best defense.
“Liam is a really good coach. He is very poised and that comes from being with the (Los Angeles) Rams and being in a lot of big-time games,” Marrow said. “He called a really good game for what he had to go against.
“He really was a great hire and has a great future. I am excited to go forward with him and win as many games as we can win.”
Coen got extra creative on UK’s first 75-yard scoring drive at Georgia and quarterback Will Levis said that was no surprise.
“When you are going against a defense like Georgia that is so skilled and disciplined you need things to work. You have got to be different. There will be plays in the future out of those packages that will look like that,” Levis said. “That was a drive we had to manufacture points and coach Coen did a good job putting that together and if the situation is appropriate we will probably do it again.”
Marrow said the best help for Coen will come through recruiting and it is much easier to sell skilled players on coming to UK now than it was a year ago when Wan’Dale Robinson transferred from Nebraska.
“We had to sell Liam to him but we didn’t have a proven quarterback. When I was talking to Wan’Dale and most recruits I was going off Rams’ stuff (where Coen had coached) but most teams recruiting against us said that was just wishful thinking,” Marrow said.
“Once we got Will, you can see how he delivers the ball. That game at Georgia was the best he has played at quarterback against a defense like that. He was razor-sharp. Now we can show that to recruits and we are going after some big-time receivers. That’s why I really love what Will is doing.”
4 Responses
Levis has done well, very well, and I think he has more than proved his value to this team, and to us fans, but I don’t think Coach Marrow should have said that about "not having a proven QB" at UK. Everybody knew that, especially their opponents.The type offense Coach Coen employs sells itself, and it did, and that continues with Key’s announcement this week.
The backup QB’s at UK have not had much of a chance to see the field thus far, and I understand why. Terry Wilson was a pretty good QB last year for one. This season, so far, UK has not had much separation in the scoring, the games are tight, and down to the wire.
I also think that the lack of playing time for Allen in 2021 could come back to bite UK if Levis should go down with an injury, God forbid. I hope that young man is ready to roll in that event. I look for some young men to hit the transfer portal out of that QB room….. maybe. There are some pretty good HS QB’s in there.
Finally, UK’s offense needs to pick it up IMO. For starters, some young UK receivers need to rise up, big time, especially in Mississippi tomorrow night, IT’S TIME! If UK can’t run the ball against MSU it could be another close game. The UK defense has been their bread and butter so far. Here is hoping for the UK offense to make some noise in the scoring department in Starkville. GO CATS!!!!
Things are in place for us to have a truly great SEC football powerhouse at Kentucky. Let’s just hope Coach Stoops stays to enjoy the fruits of his labor building this from the ground up.
I think we are good Richard. I do not see him leaving
Don’t think Mark will go anywhere excepting Iowa – his alma mater and on the correct side of the big 10.