Linebacker Jacquez Jones has had a lot to celebrate this year. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Going into the season a 3-0 start for Kentucky was not totally unexpected. However, the expectation was that Kentucky’s offense would be the reason why.
Instead, the Kentucky defense has been the catalyst for the impressive start.
Kentucky got UK’s first shutout since 2009 and first at home since 1996 when it blanked Youngstown State 31-0. But the defense has not allowed a score the last six quarters counting the second half of the win at Florida.
Kentucky ranks ninth nationally in scoring defense (9.7 points per game) and 14th in total defense (253.7 yards per game). The Cats are ninth nationally in first downs allowed per game 12.7) and ninth in pass efficiency defense (84.9 yards per game). They are also 37th in rushing defense (101.7 yards per game).
Kentucky has had a lot of players play well on defense, including cornerback Carrington Valentine who broke up a pass in the end zone and intercepted another pass in the end zone against Youngstown State.
However, don’t overlook what fifth-year linebacker Jacquez Jones has done.
He is third on the team in tackles with 14 — linebackers DeAndre Square and J.J. Weaver both have 15. Jones has 1.5 tackles for loss, one quarterback sack, one quarterback hurry and one pass breakup.
“Jacquez, he’s a leader. He plays fast. He’s got a lot of experience. And he’s a guy that, again, we rally around,” Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said. “It’s really good to see his energy and challenge the group, even at half, to continue to play with some urgency.”
“We did give up the one play and the penalty on top of it, which got them really in position. But I felt like the unit played really — still hard and aggressive, you know, really, the entire game.”
“And if you don’t, you know, you’re not going to get the shutout. Even when we gave up some yards or some plays or got it down there, they dug in.”
And one of the big leaders when Kentucky was digging in again was Jones.
“Statistics don’t show what he does,” former UK all-SEC running back Anthony White said. “He flies around blowing up plays even when he does not make tackles. I don’t know who has been the best player for the UK defense but I know how important he has been.”
