Mark Stoops thought offensive line did some good things

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UK's offensive line did a better job with pass protection against Northern Illinois according to coach Mark Stoops. (Vicky Graff Photo)

Mark Stoops is not saying his offensive line is playing as well as it could. The Kentucky coach just does not think the UK offensive line is playing as poorly as many think.

“I think they did some good things,” Stoops said about his offensive line after Saturday night’s 31-23 win over Northern Illinois. “They were bringing a lot of pressures. We picked up a lot.”

Stoops admitted it seemed like a “ho-hum” performance because UK got outscored 9-0 in the final eight minutes to make the game close.

Kentucky did give up five quarterback sacks — and has allowed 16 in four games. That’s not a great number but UK is also depending on the pass more and teams know that.

“It is not always on them (offensive line). I am not saying none of it is. There are a lot of people involved,” Stoops said. “We know we need to improve. But look at the good they did tonight as well as protecting against a bunch of stuff.”

Stoops insisted UK’s pass protection was better this game than it had been on his postgame radio show. He said UK made improvement.

“I know we had five sacks but not all of them are on the linemen. A couple of them (quarterback) Will (Levis) has got to throw. I know we gave up one (on the offensive line),” Stoops said. “But we created explosive plays with (pass) protection.”

Kentucky had four pass plays for touchdowns over 15 yards, and three of them were 40 or more yards.

“We have been talking for a couple of years about being more explosive,” Stoops said. “We have got to iron out running the ball and being more physical.”

Stoops isn’t sure if running backs might have missed open holes. He will find that out Sunday when he watches game tape.

“Maybe there were a few opportunities,” Stoops said.

7 Responses

  1. I’m not sure getting C-Rod back for Ole miss game will help either. That line has some work to do. Then again having C- Rod back may bring some confidence to the offensive line to play better.

  2. I must be watching a whole other O-line because that is our Achilles heel. Stoops can sugar coat it all he wants but these guys need to get their big butts in front of pass rushers and give Will Levis a few more seconds to be the best. 16 sacks thus far and who knows how many rush throws, we need improvement to win SEC east

  3. I was disappointed in the O-Line.
    But the D-Line had no sacks. Plus the D whole had it’s worst game.
    They play like that next Saturday, Ole Miss will put a big whooping on us

  4. I am one UK football fan who is grateful that UK is currently 4-0, but UK is not playing like a top ten team. It will soon catch up with them if they don’t fix it. C-Rod back will help.

      1. True, but I’m not worried about anybody but UK. UK has some issues that must get fixed now with the SEC opponents coming up. Especially after all the summer hype. UK has got to shore up their Oline play, give Levis more protection, and open holes for their backs. It would be nice to see UK get a big lead once in a while and give the backup QB’s some playing time. I am not sure those young men are ready. I think that is why they are being over protective of Levis.

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