Jason Patterson accounted for 95 yards against Tennessee. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Kentucky brought in transfer running backs Seth McGowan and Dante Dowdell to play in front of redshirt freshman Jason Patterson this season. He could have pouted — or even transferred. Instead, he kept working and waiting for the chance to show what he could do.
He got a big opportunity last week against Tennessee and responded with 16 carries for 51 yards and a team-high seven receptions for 44 yards.
Kentucky offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan said Patterson did a “tremendous job” against Tennessee helping UK score 34 points, its best outing in three years against a Southeastern Conference opponent.
Patterson did that even though McGowan was not officially scratched due to an injury just a few minutes before the game started.
“It’s a testament to how he’s practiced. We’ve said it all along – you never know when you’re going to get your chance and when you do, for him to go out there and play well was a testament to him,” Hamdan said after Tuesday’s practice.
“I think Jason’s doing a good job in developing into a complete player. I think you get to the college level and it goes one way or another. If a running back can be really good in the pass game, it’s like playing with 12 guys. I think he’s leaned on Seth and learned from Seth. He just keeps getting better. He just keeps going to work and improving.”
Kentucky quarterback Cutter Boley, who threw five touchdown passes against Tennessee, knows what it is like to wait for a chance to play
“I’m incredibly proud of him for stepping up and making plays when his name has been called,” Boley said.
Patterson said Tuesday he knew he had to be ready when he got his chance to play meaningful minutes with McGowan out. He praised running backs coach Jay Boulwarer for keeping him ready.
“He sets our room in the demeanor that every guy has to be ready. He brought in guys and we competed all year long. The agenda in that room is to compete and when your opportunity is up, take advantage of it,” Patterson said. “That’s me just taking that step, putting it on film so everybody can see.”
Hamdan was glad Patterson did not put his name into the transfer portal after one year and leave Kentucky.
“I’m not one of those guys that’s unrealistic. I think there’s times when it’s the right thing for the guy, and I think we’ve all been around it. But so many times now, it’s just too soon, and guys might think the grass is greener somewhere else,” Hamdan said.
“I think he recognized exactly where his skillset was. This was a year he was going to go to work, and he kept going until he got an opportunity. It’s a physical league. He’s playing more and more. He doesn’t say a whole lot, but he’s kind of an old school player who just keeps going to work and improving.”
One Response
Well McGowan will be gone at the end of the year. Patterson pretty much has the starting job in the bag for next year. We have a lot of talented first and second year guys. The only way we will be any good next year is to get everyone to come back that have eligibility left. You start with what you have and then you patch it up with the transfer portal. You have to recruit and develop in a time that is hard to recruit and develop. Our 2023 class is supposed to be leading this team. The problem is we only have 2 players from the 2023 class left. The 2024 class is who we need to win next year. We kept about 85% of the 2024 class this year there second year. The third year is when you know if they are going to be any help to the program. Whoever we get or if we retain Stoops they need to spend there money on the 2024 and 2025 classes. We also need at least 5-6 offensive lineman.