Kentucky Has to Find Better Run and Pass Balance

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Kentucky has struggled to find a balance between its passing and running this season and coach Mark Stoops says offensive coordinator Liam Coen would be the first to admit that has been a problem.

“When things don’t go well it is difficult. It is just like late (against Missouri) when Devin (Leary) had somebody right in his face on the boot and after a first down run, I think you saw when we have success in the run game it sets everything else up,” Stoops said.

“You watch a lot of the games. With playing a night game, we had an opportunity to watch others and you see other teams in the league making a lot of hay on first, second down. When we got in predictable situations and behind, even the pressures and all of that, there is going to be protection things that we will look at and head scratchers.

“Because we worked on them, you know, and didn’t look good. So…”

So indeed. Kentucky’s passing game has been a near total breakdown with Leary overthrowing receivers, receivers dropping balls and protection breaking down at times.

Stoops said the lack of consistent pass protection hurt UK against Missouri and made Leary rush too many throws.

“We have got to look at and make sure we’re keeping people off balance, too, the right way,” Stoops said. “There’s going to be plays, and I am not pointing fingers at Liam, offense and defense and special teams and us coaches, we look at things and we will be like, you know, what-if. Do you know what I mean?

“That’s not good enough and we have to get things corrected and we have got to be better.”