Vicky Graff Photo
The Kentucky offense struggled in a 31-6 loss to South Carolina on Saturday. The Cats were held under 200 yards of total offense in the game.
So the task for UK offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan and the offensive staff this week was to get things cleaned up this week as the Cats prepare to face top-ranked Georgia. Hamdan believes that the issues that his unit went through on Saturday can be fixed.
“Absolutely. A lot of it just came down to one-on-one battles,” Hamdan said. “We came into the game and put a lot of emphasis on protecting those edges and those pass rushers, but there were some things on the interior side that hurt us as well. I thought we ran the ball well at times during the game and I think that’s a huge plus. From a protection standpoint, we know what we’ve got to do to take the next step there.”
The UK offensive coordinator knows that the Cats need to worry about what their jobs as Georgia comes to Lexington on Saturday.
“The focus is about us Saturday. Getting (done) what we need to get done,” Hamdan said. “It’s us getting back to work, getting the reps. And we will continue to work on those things in practice. Everybody has a job to do, a role to do.”
Hamdan liked the Cats’ effort on Saturday, but not their execution.
“I felt that the guys played hard, I think it starts that,” Hamdan said. “From an execution standpoint, we’ve talked about the discipline and the pre-snap and coming out of that second quarter, I think there was five penalties in 13 plays. Just continually felt like we were behind the sticks. It’s certainly something we’ve got to clean up.”
Getting behind the chains was a huge issue on Saturday, according to UK tackle Marques Cox.
“We’ve got to do a great job staying on schedule,” Cox said. “Staying on schedule is a huge part of our success.”
Cox and his unit were upset with how they played on Saturday and they are working hard to get it fixed.
“We always watch (the tape) together on a Sunday,” Cox said. “We were (upset) with ourselves. I’m personally (upset) with myself, I had two holdings, gave up some pressures. It starts with me and starts with me leading the group. It bothered us. We didn’t put our best foot forward. But everything is fixable. We’ve got to fix our hands, staying on blocks, finishing blocks. We’ve just got to keep on working and continue to get better.”
Hamdan knows that adjustments are part of the game, and he is making those tweaks in practice this week and in the game plan for Saturday.
“I think you go into every season thinking one thing, then you get into a conference game and some things stick out to you. So, it shifts a little bit and now you’ve got to adjust. And that’s what we’re here to do is figure out what we’ve got to do to win football games. Obviously, there will be some adjustments made after last week.”
10 Responses
Everything they mentioned is just absolute basics in football. So what they are saying is UK is not prepared in the fundamental basics of football. Also, if they could see this in the first half, why did it get worse in the second??
The Cats have never been able to adjust from the 1st half. It’s not in the UK DNA
UK talks to much before big games like this one was, and then go out there and fold like a paper fan. That is being unprepared plain and simple. The talk starts with the radio pre game crew too, who if you listened to them bloviate last Saturday one would conclude UK is a potential national champion. I don’t see UK as a dangerous football team right now. They flat out stink!! That last game was the worst in the Stoops era IMO. Wolford needs to pick it up too, indeed all these coaches. Hard to be a good QB when your Oline can’t block anybody all night. Stoops has done a lot for UK football, but he is no big game coach who can get it done when game time comes There was a lot on the line last Saturday too. He has proven that time and time again. Just look toward Knoxville and the Vols to understand my point. I don’t see UK winning six games this year unless these coaches and players figure things out quick. They can’t be this bad, can they? Sorry football!!! Embarrassing!
Nice to see your post. I’ve missed your comments for some time now. Hope you are well & not suffering some serious illness.
Thanks LB, I am okay, just fed up with college sports these days.The big shots have ruined college athletics IMO. The insane NIL deals these days. The amounts of money being spent on coaches who are way overpaid, but under contracts that are almost economically impossible to fire them for incompetence. The transfer portal that has changed so much the rosters across the country, and forever college football. Booze in stadiums now flowing like a river. I say in time the booze will get somebody killed in or around the stadiums. It’s just a matter of time. Then after the USC game Saturday night, and the complete beat down of UK football, and after all the hype leading up to this season, I just wanted to say something. So I did. I say bring on Jon Sumrall. It is time for a change in Lexington if this team don’t get it in gear in 24. I am sick of losing to UT because Stoops has no clue on that game year in year out. The schedule UK faces is a brick wall as well. This team will be fortunate to win 5 games. No pride, no fire, no glory.
Glad you are OK. I had stopped posting comments for a few years and then started again. I should just not follow UK FB until an experienced HC or successful OC is hired to replace Stoops if he ever finds anyplace to take him.
Google Marco Lee Shemwell.
UK FB vs SC reminded me of chjoker days AND the 1966 Homecoming game at Stoll Field when Houston shellacked UK 56-0.
How far has UK sunk? Basically, just 2 spots from the Bottom 10… which is essentially #12.
Week 2 college football Bottom 10:
Waiting list: FSU Semi-no’s, Snore Eagle, Big (Black and) Blue Nation,
How’s that for the ROI on $9 Million?
It was hard enough for Kentucky to compete in SEC football before NIL and the transfer portal. Their arrival has widened the gap that we face in Division 1 football. I am not sure if a coaching change will make a difference, but how about this: Restructure Stoops contract or whoever is our coach if Stoops leaves or is fired where he will be paid $1million dollars for each SEC game won in a season, add $1 million for making the national playoffs, another $1 million for making the championship game, and $2 million for being the national champion. Making a bowl game is no longer a measuring stick for team accomplishment; getting into the 12 team playoff is the new standard. Reward performance, not talk.
Reward for performance is the real world method – well, it used to be decades ago before the government made laws forcing unjust choices for jobs & rewards.
I think every coach needs an incentive plan. Make the reward 50% more than the best salaries IF & WHEN coaches reach goals of value. SEC playoff, wins over elite teams & the playoff.
It doesn’t even take a 0.500 season to make a bowl game !!!