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Ktentucky’s offensive line was a focus of UK’s offseason work to make sure the unit was better than it was in 2022. It’s still early but despite injuries to two starters, the new Big Blue Wall has been progressing in coach Mark Stoops’s opinion even though he would like to see even better execution going into today’s game at Vanderbilt.
Veteran guard Kenneth Horsey Jr. was hurt in the first game but walk-on Dylan Ray, a transfer from West Virginia, has more than held his own so far and likely will start for Horsey again today.
“When we lose one guy, it’s got to be the next man up because there’s so many of us out there,” UK senior right guard/team captain Eli Cox said. “He’s (Ray) done a great job, just stepping in and replacing Kenneth and we haven’t really missed too much of a beat.
‘Obviously, it’s hard to replace Kenneth, his leadership and his experience that he’s got, but Dylan’s has done a great job communicating and just making sure he’s studying each week and being a valuable part of the wall for us.”
USC transfer Courtland Ford started games at left tackle before but switched to right tackle at UK. He didn’t get the starting nod in the opening game but became the starter when Jeremy Flax was injured going into game two.
“I think he’s very fluid in a stance and his set. He has good length, plays with good balance and is just continuing to work on the details because, again, he’s new to this,” Cox said. “This is a completely different system and stuff he’s run before, where it’s a lot more of a college spread.
“This is a little more pro-style. There’s a lot more that goes into each play, which is partially why plays are a little slower-paced. There’s a lot more that goes into it, so he’s adjusting. He’s eager to learn. He’s always up here watching film, asking questions.”
The unit has allowed just three sacks in three games but has been hurt but a couple of bad snaps and some holding penalties. Stoops wants to see more consistency and production starting today.
One Response
"Stoops wants to see more consistency and production starting today."
That would be most welcome. I equate production with efficiency, and I see consistency as a major component in building high efficiency. Consistency requires complete focus, and focus has been lacking offensively again this year with untimely penalties, bad snaps, missed blocks, and pass routes not precisely run.
Today, the season begins anew against an SEC opponent who beat the Cats at Commonwealth last year. The cupcakes are gone, and yes the record is 3-0, but these early games are almost entirely about how the team plays rather than the W’s and L’s.
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