Zach Yenser Knows He Has to Get the Big Blue Wall Back to Where it Was

Zach Yenser wants his players to use last year as "fuel" to be better next season. (UK Athletics Photo)

Kentucky offensive line coach Zach Yenser believes his unit is getting a “lot more confidence” with this being his second year in the program and the number of returning players from last season.

Even with Liam Coen returning as offensive coordinator after Rich Scangarello called the offense last year, Yenser says not that much has changed.

“The verbiage is a little bit (different under Coen) but just the mentality (is the same). I think Liam does a phenomenal job of relating to the guys and just his vision for the offense of wanting us to be as physical as we can upfront,” Yenser said.

“It’s almost like Liam didn’t leave. Which is nice. Me and Liam are on the same page with our vision for the offense and it’s gone really smooth. Those guys in our room, I think they feel that confidence playing a little bit more. They have played a little bit together. We are building something.”

But Yenser is not downplaying the issues the UK offensive line had last season or what has to be done next season.

“We gotta use last year to fuel the fire. It wasn’t up to standard, it wasn’t what this university and this program that they’ve built it on. And we know that,” Yenser said. “We gotta get back to it.

“There are no quick fixes. We have to put the work in. We are on the right path, bringing in the right guys and putting this together.”

Kentucky coach Mark Stoops has made it clear the offensive line has to do a better job executing and protecting quarterback Devin Leary than it did last season for Will Levis. The good news here is that Yenser accepts that “ultimatum” from Stoops.

“Last year wasn’t good enough and we know this team will go as we go,” Yenser said. “Every day we are working to build this Big Blue Wall back up.”