Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
1) Before I get into the game, l should disclose that I’ve come on the side of Rich Brooks on seemingly everything since he’s been head coach at Kentucky. There have been moments of discontent, but for the most part I am grateful for the excitement he’s been able to instill in this program the past four years and am grateful for him having taken one of the worst available coaching jobs in the country in 2003. Full disclosure aside, the move to not wear black jerseys on Saturday was an absolute disgrace. How soon we forget that this game is played by 18 to 22 year old kids, who are in the midst of a grueling 12 game schedule that becomes extremely repetitive. Every day they give up their bodies and their social life to play football and get an education at the University of Kentucky. God forbid we give them something to celebrate outside of football. On Saturday, Georgia wore black helmets and Tennessee wore black jerseys. Seemingly every Saturday we see some sort of feel-good gimmick that makes the game, for even just a few small moments, feel more like the game they grew-up playing versus the big business it’s become. No Rich, jerseys do not score points and they may not make you play better in the end, but there is something to be said about change every now and then. Regardless of what people may say, Kentucky’s program is in DANGER of becoming very stale. Bowl games are great, but if the program is 6-6 every year and attending Shreveport and Nashville every season, how can you say with a straight face that the program is on the rise and not just running in place? Saturday was a wasted opportunity to have fun. This is not about the coaches, the administration or the marketing department. This is about the students that attend the University and the players that represent them. Have we not learned from our experience with Billy Gillispie about the student-athlete experience? These kids deserved to have a little fun. Saturday was a horribly disappointing loss, but it still could have been one of more memorable moments in the careers of the football players that don the blue and white, for nothing more than sporting their black jerseys to a crowd dressed in black. Stupid? Perhaps. But it’s the little things that always capture the kid in all of us and it’s the little things that are remembered during the player experience.
2) 3 straight bowl wins and 3 straight winning seasons later, the Wildcats are still not playing to win in a must-have game AT COMMONWEALTH. How do you take the next step in becoming a legitimate football program? Do not lose games you are not supposed to, especially those at home. The Bulldogs came into Saturday having just had their hearts ripped out of them on national television, and UK wasted two opportunities to go for the jugglier. Commonwealth Stadium was on the verge of exploding when the UK offense trotted off the field after having put together its second touchdown of the evening, taking advantage of the Randall Burden interception. The crowd is into it, the bench is animated and the offense is starting to rally behind Morgan Newton. 2 plays later, a rested Wildcat defense gives up a 53 yard run to quarterback Chris Relf on a designed off tackle run for the quarterback with a lead blocker. Watch tape of Mississippi State all season, and you’ll rarely find a play that Relf is not running the football. He isn’t Stephen Garcia, yet Steve Brown didn’t make any adjustments to defend him after seeing he was in the football game - keeping with the same defense he ran all game against State. No one plugged the hole and it took all of a minute for the ‘Cats 14-3 lead to be completely wasted away. The second wasted opportunity was the start of the second half. Offensively, the ‘Cats start with great field position. They can take control of the football game again with a strong drive to start the 3rd quarter. They run two running plays and cough up the ball and suddenly it’s a tie-game.
3) I understand that Kentucky is not going to have the strongest of passing games with a true freshman starting quarterback, but with Randall Cobb in the Wildcat, he’s going to face off against defenses that stack the box. In the only time Joker did allow Randall the opportunity to throw the football in the Wildcat, Chris Matthews had one-on-one coverage on the outside and drew the pass interference flag. The staff has got to stop being so scared to let Randall toss a few up. It’s the only way that is going to keep defenses honest and with guys such as Chris Matthews, the risk is not nearly as high as the staff believes, because he’s going to have such a size advantage, and he can knock poorly thrown balls down. Speaking of the passing game, how many yards do cornerbacks have to play off of receivers, for the staff to let Morgan throw a hitch? If you can’t trust your quarterback to throw against a cornerback playing ten yards off of the line of scrimmage, then why is he playing division 1? Do the coaches have that little faith in these guys? Also, why do you have your quarterback spread out wide when Cobb is in the Wildcat? We went through this with the Ron Hudson era, when he would spread Jared Lorenzen out-wide. What defense is fooled by this? You aren’t going to throw the football to him and you aren’t going to run to his side of the field as a blocker. This game is hard enough, why are you going to basically give away an entire side of the field?
4) It’s now an amazingly dangerous time in Kentucky football. The Wildcats have to win its next two games to become bowl eligible or risk having to find a win in the final two games of the season to keep its post-season streak alive. Not doing so, would crush this program’s momentum and possibly set it back. Get the two wins and there is still an opportunity to have a special season, as Georgia looks very beatable and Tennessee, despite recent signs of turning the corner, is still a team that is only as good as the emotion it plays with. Health will play a huge part of the final four games for a lot of teams in the Southeastern Conference trying to become bowl eligible. The good news for Wildcat fans is that Trevard Lindley will return soon to anchor the defensive backfield and the quarterback situation could be better with Michael Hartline’s return, assuming that he can play on his injured knee. Both would give the team an unforeseen lift, if nothing else, heading into Georgia and a huge game against Tennessee. As much disappointment as has been felt after the travesty of a football performance on Saturday, it might just be a year like this that ends the streak against Tennessee. No one fears the ‘Cats right now and that won’t change; even with six wins under its belt heading into Athens. To believe UK will be underestimated would be a gross understatement. With that said, it makes it even more imperative to get the win over Vandy on the road. This team is too good to spoil their season (like it did in 2003) in Nashville. It’s time to stop feeling sorry for themselves and start playing with a chip on their shoulder.
5) When this season is over, the experience gained by having Morgan Newton start the past three games will be monumental. In pre-season, many were discussing whether the Wildcats would have to take a long look at planning for the future if the season took a turn for the worst. The season hasn’t (yet), and even still, the staff has been able to get its talented true freshman an opportunity to play and gain experience, without severely hurting its post-season chances. That will be invaluable heading into the off-season, no matter what happens in the next four games. With that said, all the progress made will be wasted if the ‘Cats can’t find a way to land a bowl game. The younger players in this program need those extra weeks of practice time in bowl prep. Talk to anyone around the football offices and they will tell you, this past year’s class is the best in the Rich Brooks era. UK can ill-afford to have their talented underclassman watching games on the couch during the holidays. The future does look good, despite the hits taken from the graduation of Corey Peters, Trevard Lindley, Micah Johnson and four starting offensive lineman. Sure, there are question marks at linebacker and at defensive tackle, but if you’ve carefully watched the depth charts this season, you’ve noticed a growing trend of younger players’ leap-frogging upperclassmen on defense. The true test of next year’s team will be the O-Line, but as noted above, all are battle-tested and all have seen serious playing time. The biggest date for the future of UK football is December 4th, the date of the UK-UNC game at Rupp Arena. That’s the weekend that the football staff is bringing the heavy hitters to town and could turn this year’s recruiting class into something special. Plenty of reason to be optimistic, but no doubt, this is a dangerous tide moving in on UK football. Get to six wins and end the streak against Tennessee and you can bet that Rich Brooks and his players will receive its longest standing ovation.
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November 3rd, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Go Cats! Kick some ass!
November 3rd, 2009 at 12:25 pm
What makes the black out even more of a farce was allowing your opponent to wear the color you adopted for the night! I almost doodooed on myself when I saw Miss St wearing black helmets and trim. Brilliant.
November 3rd, 2009 at 12:29 pm
Nice synopsis. At some point, you need to start developing some of these wide receivers and let them grow with Newton. Release the hounds.
November 3rd, 2009 at 12:40 pm
EXCELLENT analysis as per usual Rob. I can only hope that the UK AD and football coaching staff read your posts. Hell, they should probably hire you as a consultant.
BTI, you can learn a thing or two from Rob on how to write about sports without coming off as an idiot.
November 3rd, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Too bad the coaches didn’t want to win as bad as the fans did.
November 3rd, 2009 at 12:53 pm
5) no doubt
November 3rd, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Gidel bringing the THUNDER! A+ on all 5 points. Go Cats.
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Rob you pretty much just had the last word about the jerseys and things maybe getting a little stale..awesome freakin write up.
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:06 pm
That was an awesome analysis. Like myself, there are many avid Kentucky football fans and as I have stated many times before, in my opinion, attending football games in person are much more fun than basketball games. The football program has been a source of pride for Kentucky to embrace during the past four years of turmoil experienced by the basketball program. The last thing I want to see happen is a decline in the football program as basketball returns to glory. I am foremost a fan of the University of Kentucky and all its programs. Those who only want to talk basketball and downplay the significance of football and other programs are not what I call Kentucky fans. Truth be told, those who make comments like “who cares about football, its basketball season” are only trying to live their lives through the glory of others. Sorry, I am still venting from Saturday’s loss. Go 7-5 and beat Tennessee, that would make me very happy.
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:10 pm
I totally agree with you on point #4, Rob. This year could very well be the turning point for this program. Winning this past Saturday nearly guarantees 7 wins and a better bowl than we had last year, with an outside shot at an eighth or even ninth victory. Something about late October and November seems to bring out the worst in the program the last few years, where potential greatness is wasted by poor performances and ultra-conservative playcalling. It’s disappointing to see a staff so unwilling to make smart gambles for victory instead of safe calls “not to lose.”
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Jugglier? Perhaps you meant jugular. Spellcheck is your friend.
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:24 pm
“absolute disgrace” is ridiculous hyperbole.
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Hell of a post Rob, I couldnt agree with you more!
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Rob, you know how I know you’re gay… In your first sentence you actually said “l should disclose that I’ve come on the side of Rich Brooks since he’s been head coach at Kentucky.” Thats sick dude, he’s an old man. I mean I could see if you came on his tomatoes or something. Sorry I couldn’t help myself.
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:35 pm
Rob, you are spot on. I wish the coaching staff could go back and do a lot of things differently the last game, but they can’t. That game was HUGE, not just for this year, but for the future. It seems that Kentucky football teams rarely seize the opportunity that’s right in front of them, regardless of who the coach is or who the players are. Why is that? The loss to Miss St ranks as one of the most disappointing in the 25+ years I have been following Cats football. It’s got me thinking seriously about not renewing my season tickets next year. It’s tough to be a Kentucky football fan.
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Four things:
1)We play without a doubt the most vanilla type defense I have ever witenssed. We finally have some speed at linebacker/corner, but we rarely and I mean rarely use any type of blitz package.
2)Our pass offense is zzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Whatever happened to a 6,7, 10 yard curl? Also, I agree with Rob about throwing the hitch when the other team’s corners are lined up in Paducah off the receiver.
3)How much did our two best players (Cobb and Locke) touch the ball at the end of the game??? They can go to tyhe house any time they touch it, but they never got an opportunity. That’s disappointing and stupid.
4) I pray when Joker becomes head coach that he hires two innovative coordinators…….
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:40 pm
great post Rob, always enjoy reading your insights
Speaking defense:
It was so incredibly frustrating watching the play that went for a passing td for State. Guy walks up to the line of scrimmage for run support, Mullen catches the qb’s attention, qb checks into a new play, at this point everyone is thinking “pass” right? Guy stays in the box, defense plays run and gets beat with trevathan trying to cover a receiver instead of Guy. Isn’t that a situation where the coaches teach guys to be cognizant of the situation play the big threat?
I agree with the stale comments also Rob, however if you look at our rankings regarding football home game attendance we achieve a 103% attendance percentage and top 20 in the country. which speaks volumes about the tremendous support the fans give the program, and also is the biggest single reason I believe that we have not reached our potential yet as a program. With that level of support there is little to no pressure on the coaches to take any type of risks in games.
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:41 pm
10. This is Kentucky football. Nothing is “guaranteed.” The MSU game changed my opinion quickly of this team. In my opinion, we won’t beat UT or UGA and will be in for a fight @ Vandy. We SHOULD HAVE beat USC and MSU. Too bad “should haves” don’t count. Our defense looked terrible last game with its very few adjustments. A lot of others are placing responsibility solely on the offense and the lack of Cobb at QB. That only works if you can keep the other team from scoring fellas.
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:44 pm
to continue my thought…
just playing it safe and playing not to lose is only gonna beat the teams that will beat themselves, like Louisville and Auburn this year. teams that are good enough to make plays to beat you will always beat you, like South Carolina and Miss St.
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Rob, you are right on it’s about the student athletes. They are the ones that have to go out and play. Anything you can do for them that they feel will give them an edge, do it no matter how trivial it is. I was dissappointed in Brooks for saying he is old-school but they are wearing new style uniforms. If he was truly old-school, UK would be wearing helmets with no decals, black cleats and no names on the backs of their jerseys. And the excuse of being blown out by wearing black cleats. Heck if that’s the case then when we play FL, we should never wear blue or white.
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:51 pm
18- you are partially correct but look at States schedule and how many points other teams have scored to beat them, 24 points is not enough to beat them unless you’re florida. Sure more defense would have won the game but surely the coaches scouted State enough to at least know how many points the average team needed to beat them, right? So why didn’t we try harder to get that last touchdown? Cobb is averaging 11.8 yards each time he touches the ball on offense in the 4th quarter this season, he didn’t touch it a single time in the 4th quarter in a game that Joker said was the most important game of the season. It just blows my mind how the fourth quarter was managed and how the defensive scheme was executed.
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:57 pm
You are completely wrong on the black unis. I’m with coach, our colors are blue and white. Wearing black unis would have made us look like UofL or Duke wannabes. Worse yet, we would have been dumped in with the pumpkin jackass lantern looking UT fools in the uniform bashing on Sunday. Screw black. (Seriously, are you a nike rep or something?)
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:01 pm
#22 or perhaps we could be lumped in with half of the rest of CFB that allows players to dress in a different way in one or two games a year. Rob your point in regards to the unis was spot on. Too bad this staff does not get it.
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:05 pm
22- really? Not only do the players like it but alternative uniforms are great for the school also because of the increased revenue from uniform sales. When I heard Brooks say that cost was one of the reasons they didn’t do the black uni’s I knew it was total bs and he just didn’t want to. He’s the head coach and it’s his decision, yet the next time he’s asking for more money for the program if Mitch has any berries he’ll remember the uniform issue. Aw, who am I kidding it’s easier to increase ticket prices.
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:10 pm
22-yeah those alternate jerseys don’t do anything. Oregon went to all these different jerseys and kids love them. Where is Oregon in the BCS standings? 7th?
Rob is clearly not happy with the football team right now, and highly ticked at the coaching staff. Hey, he sounds just like the rest of us!
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:10 pm
22- I’m not a Louisville fan by any means at all. But look at their new stadiums and facilities, you have to admit that Jurich has done a great job of maximizing revenue through creative use of apparel sales and other opportunities that our current administration and coaches ignore.
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:13 pm
21. You’re exactly right. I’m not trying to side-step the fact that the play calling should have been better in the 4th quarter. I just think WAY too much emphasis is being put on the offensive failures. When UK was up 17-10 at the half, you can’t tell me this team couldn’t have beat MSU by only putting up the 24 we did. They ran all over us in the 1st half but we kept it alive. They ran all over us MORE in the 2nd half and our D folded. We can look at stats and schedules all we want. Bottom line is we had the chances to capitalize and blew it. (on both sides of the ball.)
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Laker Cat- you’re right, biggest difference in the game is State quit throwing the ball in the second half. the two interceptions in the first half was the key to our lead. Mullen decided he would win or lose with his best player and playing to his strength. We make no adjustments and had a costly turnover. another disappointing loss.
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:30 pm
If you guys can convince me that UK would have won had they had those black jerseys, then I say let’s change school colors for at least a couple of games. #27 and #28–you are both spot-on. The defense (or lack thereof) got killed by one person, and the defensive coordinator never made the first adjustment.
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Great post Rob. Agree w/ all your points. I would have chosen different words to express the missed opportunity re the black jerseys, but the point is right on. I think Brooks’ decision to stay conservative on the jerseys speaks volumes about his general approach to running the team… play it straight regardless of what the situation dictates. Players AND recruits pay attention to stuff like that. That is why Kiffin is injecting excitement at UT, while UK continues to grind along. Brooks should tape a couple of Oregon games and take a few notes. Doubt he’d recognize his old team.
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Great work again Rob. You’ve got your fingers on the pulse of the program 24/7, explaining things that most fans don’t pick up on and seeing problems before they’re knocking at the door. A+
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:32 pm
I think everyone is going to have to understand that UK will never become an “elite” member of the SEC in terms of football.
It has nothing to do with the fact that UK is a basketball school…it has everything to do with its location weather-wise compared to teams in the South, the surrounding Big Ten programs recruiting in the same area and the lack of a large number of top level Division I in state players(unlike say in the states of Louisiana or Florida).
This isn’t to excuse what happened last Saturday… it’s simply to point out that the best case scenario for this program, long term, is going to be six or seven wins. Maybe, occasionally, an eight win season. That’s reality.
And yes they have no room for error anymore thanks to the loss…they must beat Eastern Kentucky and Vanderbilt, period. Because they are probably not going to beat Georgia or Tennessee.
It’s that simple.
Mark Liptak
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:44 pm
32- The best case scenario is NOT six or seven wins, it only seems to be that way right now. How do you explain Louisville’s success? Sure they’re down now but look at the last 10 years. How about Cincinnati? It might be unrealistic to think that we will supplant florida, LSU, or Bama. But there is a lot of distance between where we are now and where we could realistically be.
November 3rd, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Rob, I heard from someone who works with the athletics dept. that it was more Barnhart’s decision than Brooks’.
November 4th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
14) HAHAHAHAHAHHAAHHAAHHAAHHAHAHAH, oh wait i’m laughing at myself…or am I laughing WITH myself?