Brad White Knows Cats Have To Handle Business

Kentucky defensive coordinator Brad White likes the mentality his players have. (Vicky Graff Photo)

There’s no reason any Kentucky football player should feel overconfident going into the season-opening game with Toledo on Aug. 30 with the Cats coming off a 4-8 season.

Nothing wrong with being confident, but a UK team with about 50 new players needs to show what it can do on the field against a team favored to win the MAC — and a team that got votes in the AP Preseason Top 25 poll.

“The primary shift now obviously is heavy Toledo,” Kentucky defensive coordinator Brad White said Thursday. “That’s where the eyes are focused. We know that a big challenge that’s coming in.

“A really talented offense. Experienced quarterback. Really talented wideout.Two running backs that can really get it done. An o-line that’s got experience coming back. We understand what’s coming here. We’re going to have to be really, really prepared and dialed in.”

White’s unit started last season playing very well but tailed off the second half of the season. He has a lot of new players but he likes the attitude he’s seen in preseason practices.

“I think our guys have got a mentality and a chip on their shoulder that they understand that they’ve got to get the taste out of how last year finished out of their mouth,” White said. “That’s the focus obviously. Toledo as a team is the focus, but we’ve gotta handle our business.”