Barion Brown had just one catch on four targets and lost a yard on the (Vicky Graff Photo)
Remember how the strong arm of Will Levis combined with the offensive play calling of Rich Scangarello combined with the speedy new freshman receivers was going to turn Kentucky into even more of a big play offense this season.
Before the season started Scangarello said Levis could be the No. 1 pick in the draft. He said the tight end room had three to five future NFL players. He called freshman receivers Dane Key and Barion Brown future NFL players. Scangarello has said running back Chris Rodriguez has all the tools to have a productive NFL career.
But Kentucky has not scored over 27 points in a Southeastern Conference game and didn’t get over 37 points against three non-conference foes
Yeah, we really tried to push it. I think you saw some of the throws even today went down the field, but also some of the calls that you didn’t see the ball going down we were trying, we were trying to push it down the field today,” Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said after Saturday’s perplexing 24-21 loss to Vanderbilt.
“Give them credit. They took some things away, we missed some protection, you name it. Yeah, I think Will will want to see the ball pushed down the field a little bit. Some of the strikes, some of the play-action, again, were good. Then we got down there and kind of fizzled out.”
Levis was 2-for-10 passing the second half after Vanderbilt. Stoops wouldn’t really assess his play because he said how others play impact how the quarterback does.
“I’m sure he’s frustrated. He’s a great player. We’re not playing very well and not supporting him at times, and there are times when he’s not perfect as well. None of us are immune. He’s a big boy. He’ll respond. He’ll bounce back,” Stoops said.
Could Levis be gun-shy because he’s got hit/sacked so often this season?
“I don’t know. I think there are times when you used to see him pull it down and run when he had to and the confidence in that run, in that running ability,” Stoops said.
“He’s not been as effective out of timing, and that could be for a variety of reasons.”
One Response
What has happened to the big play offense? One answer, great opposing defenses, and questionable play selection. Will Levis’ stock had to drop of late, especially against Vandy Saturday. In all honesty, he has looked like a different QB. Levis is not the QB we all saw under Coen in 2021. He he holds the ball to long, and the cast around him is allowing far to many sacks. That borders on being way to "soft" at the LOS which UK was accused of early on in the season.
Levis is playing hurt and anyone watching with a keen eye can see that, but UK does not have a backup ready, it would seem. Also, UK’s vertical passing game down the field is most often, of late, taking to long too develop, I suggest hitting guys on short passes across the middle or flare outs to the flat, or execute more screens to slow down everybody’s rush, and execute short hook routes just past the line to gain for first downs. The deep ball should be thrown just enough to catch the defense off guard. UK’s run blocking has to vastly improve with more Oline power driving people off the ball. That ain’t happening enough with this Oline. UK has the speed at WR, but that speed and skill is not being utilized effectively IMO. We should see UK pounding the ball on the ground with C Rod running hard behind his guards and tackles more, or more play action with Levis rolling out and hitting open receivers. Also, go for it on 4th down more instead of kicking FG,s, especially deep in enemy territory. Do not take sacks, especially in the red zone.