Offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello liked the way UK's line played last week. (UK Athletics Photo)
Is this the night that Kentucky’s offense finally gets totally untracked?
For only the second time this season, quarterback Will Levis and running back Chris Rodriguez — two of the Southeastern Conference’s top returning offensive players — will apparently play together tonight against Mississippi State. They have played only 40 plays together this season in the one game — Ole Miss — they were both on the field.
Starting offensive linemen Kenneth Horsey, Tashawn Manning and Jeremy Flax have all missed games with injuries. Flax did not play in last week’s loss to South Carolina — Levis was also out — but is expected to play tonight.
Kentucky’s offensive line has allowed 25 sacks and been blamed for much of the team’s offensive woes this season. However, offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello did see some positives even in last week’s loss.
“We lost the game, but I liked the way the line played, I liked how we ran the ball, I liked our physicality. I liked the way there were a lot of plays where 11 guys did the right thing,” Scangarello said.
“We had four or five plays that changed that game. I can’t have that happen, but I felt like we were striding forward and momentum was pushing to this offense, it was about to break out.”
Offensive line coach Zach Yenser said the offensive line issues have been more “individual breakdowns” than technique/system issues.
Kentucky receivers Tayvion Robinson (leg) and Dane Key (hand) were both hurt against South Carolina. Both are still listed on the depth chart and Key said Tuesday he was only wearing a cast on his left wrist/hand to protect it during practice.
However, Key certainly made it clear he was ready to put last week’s loss behind him.
“I feel like everybody in there is a little mad because we haven’t been playing how we should,” Key said. “We haven’t been playing how we know how we can ball.”
“I feel like we really have something to prove these next few weeks, especially this week.”
Kentucky has averaged 26.3 points per game but scored only 19 at Ole Miss and 14 against South Carolina, both losses the last two weeks.
Scangarello has avoided any “knee-jerk” reaction to the offensive problems in his first year at Kentucky and says he knew it would take time to put the pieces all together.
“I know what we have. I know the team was trending the right way against Ole Miss. It just takes focus,” Scangarello said. “A little more effort and detail and better coaching on our part, and I think we’ll come out this week and put a hell of a product on the field.”
One Response
"Show Me," Don’t Tell Me.
This offense has not been in a slump, it has not performed at an appropriate level all season.
At the start of this season, this team was to be one for the ages. Teams "for the ages" are dominant on both sides of the ball, and their kicking game is sound and reliable. This offense has been anything but sound and reliable, The O Line has been more porous than a 3-foot sieve.
So, for weeks, everyone has been waiting for the offense to "get untracked"
Nearly every week comments like, "if this team wants to be … The O-Line must get fixed NOW" have been made.
Are these comments by the new offensive coordinator just more of the same, or will this team finally have a potent offense?
Show Me. Don’t tell me.