Kentucky's defense had their ups and downs against the Northern Illinois offense. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Aside from Barion Brown and Tayvion Robinson, there wasn’t much to love of Kentucky’s 31-23 victory over Northern Illinois. Kentucky’s offensive line continued to struggle and Kavosiey Smoke coughed up a critical fumble but it was their defense that had the most puzzling performance.
All-be-it against a questionable schedule, the Northern Illinois offense had averaged over 32 points and 372 yards through their first three games. Last week they scored 28 on an improved Vanderbilt team and this Saturday they managed to score 23 against Kentucky.
The Wildcats have stood their ground on the defensive side of the ball this year, yet those 23 points by the Huskies were the most UK has allowed this season. NIU’s 328 yards were also the most yards Kentucky has given up this year.
While Kentucky did force the Huskies to punt six times (including three three-and-outs), their defense wasn’t efficient situationally. NIU came out of the gate with a 11 play, 75-yard touchdown drive. They also scored a second touchdown in the closing seconds of the first half via a short field as a result of the fumble by Smoke.
Just when Kentucky looked like they had followed through with their halftime adjustments, they allowed NIU to score a field goal and a touchdown on back-to-back drives in the final 5:26 of the game to make the outcome much closer than it needed to be.
The Wildcats were able to escape with a win on Saturday, but playing poor situational defense won’t work next weekend in Oxford. Though Ole Miss was held scoreless in the second half of their game against Tulsa on Saturday, they still managed to put up 35 points in the first 30 minutes which was enough to win the game.
Kentucky’s lethal passing attack is more than good enough to put points on the board, but a strong defense can also impact the outcome of a game on the road – especially in the Southeastern Conference. Head coach Mark Stoops and defensive coordinator Brad White will have plenty of areas to improve on this week at practice as the Wildcats prepare for a Top-25 showdown with Ole Miss next Saturday.
3 Responses
Kentucky is in position to be NATIONAL CHAMPS!!
When C.Rod returns…
C. Rod is a much different style of runner. Smoke is a scat back, a slasher. C. Rod is power and speed. He sees the holes differently. Smoke can easily get knocked off balanced, tackled with one arm of a chop or bump while running through the hole. C. Rod is ALL power and it takes two, sometimes three to bring him down. C. Rod causes the defense to clasped down in the box which works great for the Cats on play action. And with outside speed at the WR position and great TE’s with route running and catching skills, the Cats should be a team putting up great numbers. Lots of points. Here you go Cat fans. If Kentucky wins the rest of their games especially Georgia look to see your Cats in the NCAA playoffs and a chance to be NATIONAL CHAMPS…YES A NATTY IN FOOTBALL..
GO CATS…GO!!
Preach it Royce. Keep the faith
That is why this year is so important. You nailed it. UK has the chance to do great things. However, UK will not win against SEC competition if they keep playing like they are now, especially their offense. They must figure this out at Ole Miss come Oct 1. Also, UT stands in the way IMO for UK to ascend in the East, and that is my biggest concern going forward. Playing in Knoxville is a real chore. Win there UK, then look out Georgia! This is the year many of us have waited for for years.