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Kentucky’s offense has not been as productive as expected the first two games but the offensive line may actually have been better than most thought it would be despite a first-game injury to veteran guard Kenneth Horsey.
Eli Cox moved from guard to center in 2022 and then moved back to guard this season. He was named Southeastern Conference Offensive Lineman of the Week for his play in UK’s 28-17 victory over Eastern Kentucky Saturday. He won the same award in 2021 when UK beat LSU.
Cox was in on every offensive play and the UK coaches graded him at 86 percent. The former West Jessamine High School standout did not allow a quarterback pressure or sack and had no penalties in 32nd career game and 24th start, including 15 straight.
“Eli is, as I mentioned in pre-season, such a solid guy. A great leader, one of those guys who are just a rock, an anchor,” UK coach Mark Stoops said Monday. “You just expect him to be out there playing well at whatever position.”
He remains UK’s backup center and got nine snaps at center to end the game just to keep him sharp in case he’s needed.
“I thought (center) Jager [Burton] played better. That was really good to see. I said that a week ago and just the time, and experience, a very good player that needed some snaps under his belt, he played better,” Stoops said. “Worked Eli there some just to get that under his belt. To him, I think it’s second nature, just go do it with no problem but we still work on it during the week, but it was good to get some game reps.”
Cox, a team captain, helps Burton, who moved from guard to center this year, with calls and identifying defensive alignments.
“Jager wants to be the center. That’s great, I love it. I love he is eager and doing it. But sometimes it doesn’t hurt to have a guy like that, that can ID things that has experience in that way so that way Jager can just concentrate,” Stoops said.
“As I mentioned a week ago, there’s a lot, when you are ID’ing it all, which way this pressure is coming, which way are we sliding the line, where are these safeties rotating, I’m snapping the ball, and by the way I have to go block somebody. So, there’s a lot there.”
