Vicky Graff Photo
Something Kentucky offensive coordinator Liam Coen said Tuesday really worries me about UK’s offense facing a Florida defense that is only giving up 82 yards rushing per game going into Saturday’s SEC contest in Lexington.
“They’re well coached. They do a great job using their hands at the point of attack and shedding blocks. This week truly is all about demeanor, mentality, fundamentals and technique as much as we can,” Coen said.
“If we lunge and put our heads down, we are going to whiff. We won’t win too many of those battles. So this is a huge week about fundamentals and technique, and blocking movement is going to be a huge thing.”
Blocking movement?
I cannot count the times over the last two seasons that WLAP Sunday Morning Sports Talk co-host Anthony White has pointed out how UK offensive linemen have left open defenders free to get into the UK backfield. White, a former UK all-SEC running back, has been confused by UK’s blocking schemes at times and knowing Florida has been stunting defensive linemen all season could be a huge problem.
“Blocking movement is the hardest thing to do in college football,” Coen said after Tuesday’s practice. “It’s the hardest thing to do upfront, unless you just run one scheme, and just block it and block it and block it. We don’t do that. We’re a little bit more diverse in the run game at times, so it’s a challenge.
“We’re giving them as much crap that we can throw at them as we possibly can, maybe even a little overload. It’s frustrating on Tuesday. It’s a little bit more frustrating on Wednesday. But we’re hoping that at the end of this thing, that you’re getting better at blocking movement, so we’re working at it. But you know, things happen fast.”
The Gators have been disruptive and Coen admitted Florida will “probably move and pressure more” than any team UK has played this season and that concerns me because of White has been saying on WLAP Sunday Morning Sports for two seasons now.
“It’s gonna be a challenge, but I think our guys have started off on the right foot but we have to match that intensity and play to the standard I wish we played at a few more times in the Vanderbilt game more consistently,” Coen said.
