Brock Vandagriff (Vicky Graff Photo)
One thing Brock Vandagriff has not done is make excuses.
The Georgia transfer was expected to be the savior for the Kentucky offense at quarterback but he’s only 29 of 55 passing for 313 yards and three scores with two interceptions in three games. He’s ran 27 times for only a net of 17 yards.
He had big-time issues in the loss to South Carolina where he was constantly under duress but played somewhat better in the 13-12 loss to Georgia even though UK went a second straight game without a touchdown.
“Obviously could have made some more plays, giving the guys the ball in the perimeter,” Vandagriff said after the Georgia game. “It felt like we just came up short a little bit obviously but my play could have improved.
“I think the O-line played well, skill played well, running backs ran the ball well — just a couple plays came down to it and you have to be able to complete some of the passes.”
Explosive or lack of explosive plays has been a huge issue for the Kentucky offense this season. Vandagriff says that with receivers like Barion Brown and Dane Key, the UK has to “take the top off from the outside” because opponents won’t give them one-on-one matchups very often.
“We had a couple of shots dialed up and the corner bails. Stuff like that, so we get just a deeper zone and you have to take what they give you, chuck the ball down, and sometimes if you’re running out of time in the pocket you know you have to make sure, you just try to get the ball out of your hands,” Vandagriff said.
“But whenever they’re playing deep and try to take away that stuff because of those threats on the outside, I just have to take what they give you and try to stay on task.”
Kentucky has had a solid running game the last two weeks to generate what offense UK basically has.
“Just execute when plays come in, keep my eyes on the read key things of that sort and if the read key tells me to pull it then obviously pull it, but I think it’s important if that’s what coach (Bush) Hamdan thinks is important, then I’m going to do whatever he calls to the best of my abilities,” Vandagriff said about the run plays.
“I think it’s good for the offense to be able to have a quarterback that can move and stuff like that and coach (Vince) Marrow was joking with me after about it a little bit, but I think it’s important.”
Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said Vandagriff played like he was expected to do against Georgia.
“I felt like we had a good plan and we gave him a good opportunity. Today he did what he had to. There were several plays left out there that Georgia really made some nice plays at some critical moments as well,” Stoops said.
“That was one of the reasons why they are number one. We had some nice plays designed and maybe got open by a short margin and they made some really nice plays. You know, it’s a credit to them. I thought Brock played well.”
12 Responses
I’m still a Brock fan. He has had an inconsistent OL, injured RB’s, receivers dropping passes!!! (as usual!!!) and questionable play calling to use.
INCONSISTENCY from the WR’s & OL have been absolutely devastating. The lack of FOCUS by receivers & OL is a reflection of the lack of leadership by Stoops & his staff.
The DL is a wrecking crew with impressive results but the cornerbacks are invisible when it’s 3rd down. The secondary coach should be FIRED. Let some strong UK fan step out of the stands and lead the secondary for a game and it can’t get any worse.
Brock needs an offense with consistency MZ only the one RB getting most of the run calls has been consistent. He has been a bruiser!
I’m with you on the secondary coach should be fired. There is no reason to always be that bad on third down. Its not fair to the front 7 who play there ass off in the running situations. We are again a secondary and offensive line away from a great team. The receivers don’t even have enough time to run their routes. I don’t think this team has a pass blocking o line. They are definitely better at run blocking. They are to slow for pass blocking. Its not Brocks fault we have a terrible line but you have to improvise. Why don’t they play Gavin for a couple of possesions. Let him do what Lynn Bowden did and it would change the dynamics of this season. I think we need a great running quarterback for this team. We just don’t have what it takes to pass the ball.
Vandagriff only needs to look at the spot Will Levis is in with the Titans now that they are 0-2 after he tried to play hero ball their first 2 games this season. You can only be as good as your coaches and team allow you to be. Do your job within the game plan…no more, no less. If the game plan is bad…you’re going to lose more often than not. If your team is bad…you’re going to lose more often than not. The Titans have lost 2 games that they should have won because Levis tried to do too much. If he had stuck to the game plan they would most likely be 2-0 or 1-0-1 at the worst. Kid, you are playing for a coach who plays not to lose and you can’t change that by trying to be Superman.
Good comments from both of you and points and facts well made. I am still off the Stoops bandwagon and feel, like many of you, that his best days are in the rear view mirror for the program. And just like Califraudi the ROI will bring diminished returns. Most of our peers have improved in the league and with addition of 2 power houses gaining entry, it will be hard for us even to bowl qualify under Stoop’s leadership.
Even we hire a new coach the results will be the same. UK football may have some magical seasons, but the consistency will not be there. It’s always been that way and always will. I’ll keep cheering for them as always .Go Cats!!
Some think Kentucky should become an independent in football, but even doing so will not result better bowl bids as they are tied to SEC members. School revenue would drop too. Although we rarely are a major contributor as a football program, the revenue sharing by being a SEC member is a lot higher than what UK could garner as an independent.
I appreciate all the comments, and sure agree with those in this thread.
I was 100% behind Stoops & wanted to see UK give him a 10 year contract with some basic minimal requirements to maintain his HC salary & position, as well as a bundle f money for quality assistants. That 10 year deal based on meeting some standards would be about the same time UK peaked. Unfortunately, he has not learned much as the HC because he still chokes the offemse.
I remember chjoker wanting to slow down the offense because he wanted to protect his friend, the loser DC. It’s disgusting.
Once a coach has damaged the culture he built up and still refuses to change, he is finished. Recovery is out of reach.
I thought Stoops should have asked his brother Bob to oversee the OC or be paid to work with the OC because Bob Stoops produced some amazing offenses at OK.
Basketball needs to hurry up and get here!!!!
Ky will stay in the SEC right down to the last play. Why, Money……
Lotsa windup in BV’s motion – bit of a telegraph.
Like it or not – the best offense we’ve produced this year is via the run. Went right down the field against the Cocks with 8 of 9 straight runs – then for some unknown reason we leave the run.
Hey , I like the fireworks as much as anyone – unless they’re going off in my hand.
Need to stay with the run on more plays when it’s working with only 1 pass in a set of downs at most.
When the pass is working, then run it less but still some.
Need to mix it up AND call plays that can be executed in a hurry because of a quick breakdown when trying to give pass protection.
My question; How did Brock almost win the starting QB position at Georgia?? I’m not saying he isn’t a good QB, just the opposite. He was almost picked to lead National Champion Georgia. Kirby said it was basically a toss up between Brock and Beck. If he is that good, and I believe he is, ask yourself what could be the problem now? Is it the fact the OL has a hard time pass blocking consistently? The receivers can’t hold on to the ball 3 or 4 times a game? The receivers can’t get open against a High School team? The coaches aren’t calling plays their team can execute? I think it is a little bit of all the above. And you have to remember, on top of all the UK problems, Brock has never started a game until this year. His experience is that of a Redshirt Freshman. I don’t think he has done bad considering what he has had to deal with. He didn’t have the problems mentioned above at Georgia. If things don’t improve, I don’t think he will be at UK next year.
Great questions Old Fan with no definite answers right now