Vicky Graff Photo
Quarterback Will Levis might have been handicapped by questionable play calling in Kentucky’s 44-6 loss at Tennessee or he may simply not be nearly as healthy as he wants everyone to believe.
Whatever happened, he did not play like he has in past games at Kentucky or like a potential NFL first-round draft pick would expect to play.
“He’s ready to go. He’ll be ready to go. He already addressed it after the game,” Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said Monday when asked about Levis’ mindset. “He didn’t point fingers, he knows he can play better, he knows the unit can play better, he knows the team can play better. That’s the type of leadership we’re looking for.”
Stoops admitted Levis probably forced some throws because Kentucky was behind and he was looking for a home run play.
“It was tough because they got some pressure on him. We got behind, there was some reads in there that, yeah, he was trying to force things and make things happen,” Stoops said. “Even when some of the run or pass options that we had, after we ran them several times — the look was to give it, and he’s forcing it, but it’s not all on him.”
“I think it’s the situation we were in and we certainly need to do a better job putting him and all of our players in a better position. We all share in that and players have to step up and make plays.”
Stoops also said that he did not take Levis out late in the game, but he also took no chances of getting him hurt.
“We handed the ball off. So, there was no reason for an operation to get a fumble, you know what I mean? He’s plenty worn but we handed the ball off,” Stoops said.
