Will Levis might run the ball more against Tennessee. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Will Levis did not play well at Mississippi State. Offensive coordinator Liam Coen did not dispute that. However, Coen did put a lot more of the blame on offense than most offensive coordinators would have.
He especially thought he could have helped Levis avoid an interception the next play after a Mississippi State defensive back was ejected for targeting. Kentucky went deep and the pass got picked off.
“I can help him out by giving him an easier completion that early in the game specifically,” Coen said. “At the end of the day, it was on him but I think I can help in that situation and not get greedy after a targeting call.
“That was me being greedy as a play-caller and I can’t put those guys in that situation again.”
Coen also blamed himself for the pace of UK’s offense — or more accurately, the lack of pace.
“We probably don’t challenge people as much with tempo at times as we should,” Coen said. “I probably did not do a good enough job creating tempo in offense last week.”
Don’t be surprised if Levis runs the ball more against Tennessee than he did at Mississippi State.
“It’s one of those things if it presents itself, we will want to do it as you saw earlier in the year against LSU,” Coen said. “Against Georgia and Mississippi State, we just did not feel like those were great plays.
“Tennessee has played against some quarterback runs and some guys have hit draws and had big games against them. It might pop but I believe we will get back to our normal offense. These past couple of weeks the defense would not let you do what you wanted to do.”
3 Responses
I like that Coen stepped up and took some responsibility, which he should do, but it is still up to the players to accomplish the task. If Levis had put the ball out there a little farther, it would not have been intercepted. There are several occasions this year where he has looked great with the deep ball and several where he has thrown the ball short. His accuracy has been lacking.
They say he has a cannon for an arm and that is a good comparison because I haven’t seen sights on very many cannons.
Wish he had as much accuracy as your description.
Huge mistake by Coen. When a superior defensive player leaves the game due to injury or in the case targeting, you first go after his replacement to see what you are dealing with. The defense does not change, just the player. If that replacement isn’t up to the task, it will force the defense to change. You make the defensive player work harder than your offensive player.