Mark Stoops wants Zach Calzada to be smart about when he runs. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Kentucky coach Mark Stoops shared some insights on how he felt various players played in the opening game against Toledo:
On receiver Hardley Gilmore IV getting a team-lead six targets…
“Yeah, byproduct of the plays and where the quarterback goes with the ball at that moment and everything, it wasn’t designed to be doubled or anything like that.”
On how much Kendrick Law’s preseason injury set him back…
“I think the injury didn’t help. It set him back a bit, but I think plays and momentum, and again. You’ve heard me talk about that a lot, and it is frustrating. I’d like to run more plays. I’d like to move the ball more and get touches for many more people. But, he is certainly one of them.”
On Jager Burton’s snaps…
“I felt like Jager, in general, not just the snaps, Jager played very good. He makes us a better team inside, and I think you felt the presence (of him), in particular, the three inside guys. ”
On the offensive tackles…
“They did some good things; we didn’t give up a sack. Probably gave up a few pressures, could be stronger in the run game, but in general, our O-line played good.”
On Alex Afari Jr.’s game after watching film…
“Yes, it was quite impressive. I thought he played extremely well. You’ve heard me talk about it through the preseason. He has been very consistent and a guy that makes plays and is in the right spot. I think he had nine solos (tackles), however many assists, and a critical fourth-down stop early in the game, so he played very well.”
On your comfort level with Zach Calzada running the ball…
“Yeah, you know some of that is dictated about what the defense is doing and what they’re taking away, and with Zach, I think effective runs and being smart is important and I think runs are different as well. The design quarterback runs, you know they’re going to get hit and be physical inside the tackle box there, and sometimes on the perimeter on reads, they have no choice but to pull it.”
4 Responses
To get more touches and more plays for your best players, you might try speeding the game up. UK moves like they are in quicksand.
Stoops has made this claim for years and still can't figure out how to do it because it means he has to listen to someone on offense and he might have to change his thinking.
But the kicker in this whole thing is he says he wants more plays, but then says he wants to ground and pound. Very hard to do both unless you listen to someone that has a plan, you actually have coaches that can teach it, and you need a play caller that can call it.
Want more plays and get three yards and cloud of dust at the same time? Play in the mountain west league with the Air Force Academy? Oh gee, I forgot, the SEC learned how to defense the wishbone 15 years ago.
That talk is nothing but coach speak. Tubby always wanted to play faster "next year" but every year his team played as if hitched to a deep digging plow.
Stoops is the same. UK has the offense that it has, and has had for the most part on Stoops' watch, because that is what Stoops wants. Talk is cheap.
Watch what he does, and pay no heed to what he says.
Saturday will tell the tale