Thoughts on a huge Kentucky win

[UKErik]

*What a game! With just three conference games remaining, Kentucky moves into sole possession of 2nd place in the division, just one half game back of the Gators!

*The final drive...very impressed that UK was able to put themselves in position for a field goal attempt. The completed pass right before the FGA was huge. As for the kick....MacGinnis drills a 51-yarder at the gun with a leg cramp. That kid is something else!!!

*Stephen Johnson. Against Vanderbilt, he was mostly woeful. Tonight, he made some big plays and was much better overall, IMO. If he can cut out the mistakes, UK could actually make a serious run for the division.

*UK's two headed monster at running back is fun to watch! Boom is special. Snell is gonna be!

*How depressing was the fumble that MSU returned for a touchdown? My heart pretty much sank into my stomach after that play. It felt like "I've seen this movie before" time. Had the Cats gone in on that drive, they would have led 41-24 with around eight minutes to go. But...

*...the Cats continued to fight their asses off. Even after Mississippi State drove to take the lead, UK battled back. This team continues to play hard! That says a lot about the job the coaching staff is doing with them.

*Loved the creativity from Eddie Gran tonight. And overall, his offense was deadly. The Cats rolled up 554 yards of offense. Could have EASILY been over 600 (Johnson had a few balls get away from him). Solid balance from the "O"!!

*Before I forget, hats off to the offensive line! That unit continues to get better each and every week.

*The defense wasn't bad tonight. Overall, I thought they played fairly well. Two things were kind of disappointing...Fitzgerald in the run game and the last State drive. The pass interference was huge of course (last drive). Other than some big plays though, not bad. Of the five State touchdowns, one was defensive. Another was a short field after a UK fumble.

*Jordan Jones! I said the same thing last week. Dude is fun to watch play football!

*It hasn't been often over the years that Kentucky has out-gained a league opponent by nearly 200 yards. Much less against State, a team that's kind of bullied UK recently. It's too bad UK didn't go in for that TD at 34-24. This game could have been a real *** beating both on the field AND on the scoreboard.

*Today was a big one for Mark Stoops. The UK head coach has gone from the hot seat to fighting for an unlikely spot in the Southeastern Conference championship game. Kentucky is still a "dog" in the race, but they're also still alive!

*More importantly, tonight's win could help "stabilize" the Stoops era. It certainly feels like he's finally going in the right direction. If this team wins next week at Missouri, think about what that would accomplish;
****Would essentially lock up a bowl bid
****Would give UK an opportunity to get a 5th SEC win at home against struggling Georgia
****Would keep UK in the SEC East hunt heading into November
****Would help solidify recruiting efforts
****Would lead to a capacity crowd for the Georgia game

*The fun thing about winning...the games just keep getting bigger and bigger. Congrats to Stoops and staff on a big win and impressive performance. Stoops has turned the defense around. Gran looks to be doing the same with the offense. There is ZERO question that progress has been significant on both sides of the football. And the guys between the lines....they're playing their asses off. We can't ask for much more!

On to Missouri!

GBB!!

 

[vhcat70]

Stephen Johnson. Against Vanderbilt, he was mostly woeful. Tonight, he made some big plays and was much better overall, IMO. If he can cut out the mistakes, UK could actually make a serious run for the division.

Surely you mean Smith.

 

[weezul]

Well said! I can smell it...and I want it. Once you get to that point anything is possible

 

[lil2coupe]

and there are not too many seniors on the depth chart.

 

[KWilt43atbuzz]

By winning four of the last five games UK also has Uncle Moe (Williams) on our side.

 

[Xception]

I'm proud of this teams wagon circling skills , they could have folded after the first two games but they decided to fight and I appreciate that .

 

[bigblueinsanity_rivals250340]

The Cats rolled up 554 yards of offense

Essentially without a qb

 

[pascat]

We were one accurate passer away from putting up 700+ yards of offense tonight. Credit to Johnson for bouncing back in the second half after a shaky first half to make the kind of plays he needed to against a MSU team that was cheating run and loading the box all night. He's not the best at throwing tight or touch throws to spots, but he did what he had to do to win.

 

[Tannerdad]

Stoops is finally doing what he should be. Winning games in a historic weak SEC East and taking advantage of the situation.

Just keep it going.

 

[K_TIME]

1. Benny Snell is a game changer for UK. Really glad coaches went away from Jojo and just exchanged Boom and Benny UKnreally controls the ball for long stretches with those RB Beforecit was just Booms big plays or bust But Benny allows us to control ball and hide our D a bit
2. A coach I have never liked is having a good season....Schlarman. We have been solid running OL in past but this group is a notch above years past and the pass protecfion on edges has been way better
3. I call the qb shaky Stephen and he is shaky . But we atleast have a semblance of passing game which is all we need to go with run game
4. One thing I hope coaches reconsider is playing Tavin Richardson over Dorian Baker. Tavin to me is just a good bit better than Dorian Dorians drop (and it was a not so hardball at end of game to cagch) is just a pattern with him at this point. Not reliable at all

 

[DCFseattle]

I'm proud of this teams wagon circling skills , they could have folded after the first two games but they decided to fight and I appreciate that .

Not just the season, but last night in particular. They had every reason to just lay down. They got down early by two scores. They went from up a possible 17 to only 6 in one play. They gave up the game winning drive. Stephen Johnson made more than his share of mental mistakes. But neither he nor the team had any quit in 'em.

There was a hype video that UKWildcatsTV put out at some point. Mark Stoops narrating over some action. His final words in that video, and I'll see if i can find it, resonate loud right now. With everything that's happened in this season so far, from terrible losses, to ridiculous rumors, to jackass "fans" being complete ********... All those things, with injuries and departures piled on, "don't flinch."

Go Big Blue.

 

[Bluetick2100]

What I am liking the best is
Stoops is improving this team from where they were at the start of the season.

Wasn't sure he could do it.

Now I have reason to believe.

 

[CardChipper]

If UL wins out and the last game of the season determines a playoff berth-the movitivation for UK will be off the charts. Starting to consider that game as more than just another rivalry contest.

 

[GoCatsForever2k15]

4. One thing I hope coaches reconsider is playing Tavin Richardson over Dorian Baker. Tavin to me is just a good bit better than Dorian Dorians drop (and it was a not so hardball at end of game to cagch) is just a pattern with him at this point. Not reliable at all

It's a shame. So much potential there. Couldn't ask for much more physical gifts than what Baker has.

 

[FreeSafety36]

I don't want to get too excited over one win, particularly one win over a not-very-good MSU team, but I can't help thinking this could be Stoops' equivalent of Brooks' '06 win over Georgia.

CRB's last few years had many fond memories for us, but many have forgotten that his first 3 1/2 years didn't. In CRB's first 3 seasons, we won a total of 9 games. We were 4-4 going into the Georgia game in 2006 and were just 3 weeks past the receiving end of a 49-0 beat down by LSU. We'd won other SEC games under CRB, but the Georgia win seemed to get a sort of proverbial monkey off their backs. I think last night's game may have done the same for this team.

The win over UGA was a turning point for Brooks' program. Before that game, Brooks teams couldn't seem to close games. Following that UGA win, the Cats would win 9 of their next 11 games, including wins over #9 Louisville and #1 LSU in 2007, with their only 2 losses over at span coming to #19 Tennessee in '06 and #11 South Carolina in '07.

The reason I think last night's game reminded me of that one is how many times have we seen that game end in a loss for us? That seems to be the theme of the Stoops era. But last night didn't. And not only did they finish a game and snatch a victory from the jaws of defeat, last night's win also ended a losing streak to a team that's pretty much bullied us for the past few seasons.

Beating MSU last night wasn't the signature win that beating 9-4 Georgia was in 06, but it could have much the same significance to the players and coaches.

 

[Beatle Bum]

*What a game! With just three conference games remaining, Kentucky moves into sole possession of 2nd place in the division, just one half game back of the Gators!

*The final drive...very impressed that UK was able to put themselves in position for a field goal attempt. The completed pass right before the FGA was huge. As for the kick....MacGinnis drills a 51-yarder at the gun with a leg cramp. That kid is something else!!!

*Stephen Johnson. Against Vanderbilt, he was mostly woeful. Tonight, he made some big plays and was much better overall, IMO. If he can cut out the mistakes, UK could actually make a serious run for the division.

*UK's two headed monster at running back is fun to watch! Boom is special. Snell is gonna be!

*How depressing was the fumble that MSU returned for a touchdown? My heart pretty much sank into my stomach after that play. It felt like "I've seen this movie before" time. Had the Cats gone in on that drive, they would have led 41-24 with around eight minutes to go. But...

*...the Cats continued to fight their asses off. Even after Mississippi State drove to take the lead, UK battled back. This team continues to play hard! That says a lot about the job the coaching staff is doing with them.

*Loved the creativity from Eddie Gran tonight. And overall, his offense was deadly. The Cats rolled up 554 yards of offense. Could have EASILY been over 600 (Johnson had a few balls get away from him). Solid balance from the "O"!!

*Before I forget, hats off to the offensive line! That unit continues to get better each and every week.

*The defense wasn't bad tonight. Overall, I thought they played fairly well. Two things were kind of disappointing...Fitzgerald in the run game and the last State drive. The pass interference was huge of course (last drive). Other than some big plays though, not bad. Of the five State touchdowns, one was defensive. Another was a short field after a UK fumble.

*Jordan Jones! I said the same thing last week. Dude is fun to watch play football!

*It hasn't been often over the years that Kentucky has out-gained a league opponent by nearly 200 yards. Much less against State, a team that's kind of bullied UK recently. It's too bad UK didn't go in for that TD at 34-24. This game could have been a real *** beating both on the field AND on the scoreboard.

*Today was a big one for Mark Stoops. The UK head coach has gone from the hot seat to fighting for an unlikely spot in the Southeastern Conference championship game. Kentucky is still a "dog" in the race, but they're also still alive!

*More importantly, tonight's win could help "stabilize" the Stoops era. It certainly feels like he's finally going in the right direction. If this team wins next week at Missouri, think about what that would accomplish;
****Would essentially lock up a bowl bid
****Would give UK an opportunity to get a 5th SEC win at home against struggling Georgia
****Would keep UK in the SEC East hunt heading into November
****Would help solidify recruiting efforts
****Would lead to a capacity crowd for the Georgia game

*The fun thing about winning...the games just keep getting bigger and bigger. Congrats to Stoops and staff on a big win and impressive performance. Stoops has turned the defense around. Gran looks to be doing the same with the offense. There is ZERO question that progress has been significant on both sides of the football. And the guys between the lines....they're playing their asses off. We can't ask for much more!

On to Missouri!

GBB!!

Best post I have read in a long time. Agree with all of it winning is fun. Watching your team battle and not give up, even after big mistakes is really nice to see. Last night was a battle. A lot of wounded from both sides demonstrates both teams really wanted it. UK down 14-3, fights back (starting with a drive just before the half and a good drive after the half) to eventually take a 10 point lead. While it should have become 13-17, the FG after the fumble 7 was really huge. As was the 1:00 offense and kick in the end. This team is learning not to give up. That is huge for this year and next. A bowl would be great for additional development.

 

[cat888]

Good Post Eric!! Maybe UK finally shook off the Bear Bryant Curse last night!!

 

[NCukcat62]

1. Benny Snell is a game changer for UK. Really glad coaches went away from Jojo and just exchanged Boom and Benny UKnreally controls the ball for long stretches with those RB Beforecit was just Booms big plays or bust But Benny allows us to control ball and hide our D a bit
2. A coach I have never liked is having a good season....Schlarman. We have been solid running OL in past but this group is a notch above years past and the pass protecfion on edges has been way better
3. I call the qb shaky Stephen and he is shaky . But we atleast have a semblance of passing game which is all we need to go with run game
4. One thing I hope coaches reconsider is playing Tavin Richardson over Dorian Baker. Tavin to me is just a good bit better than Dorian Dorians drop (and it was a not so hardball at end of game to cagch) is just a pattern with him at this point. Not reliable at all

Jojo got hurt I believe in the first half

 

[BigBlueFanGA]

Learning how to win......finally.

 

[Stonewall12]

Very intelligent post.

For reelz

 

[YouKay]

I don't post here at the Lair very often, but I just want to say I am very proud of this UK team. With the incredible 1976 Peach Bowl champ team watching, they put on a show and that last drive for the winning FG was the mark of a championship team. I went to the Vandy game and frankly did not expect UK to win this one. They surprised me with an excellent effort. Really liked the play calling too, especially on that last drive.

 

[DCFseattle]

Really liked the play calling too, especially on that last drive.

How massive is the upgrade from Dawson to Gran?

 

[UKWildcats#8]

Ive sen this movie before. Let's beat Missouri and then I'll breathe a big sigh of relief about making a bowl and then we are playing with house money against UGA, UT and UL. I personally still feel the latter two will be blowout losses (sorry to ruin the sunshine/rainbow train guys), but we can most certainly beat UGA at home and finish with 5 SEC wins and 7 wins overall. That is a great season considering the opening loss to Southern Miss.

 

[UKErik]

Not sure why you think Tennessee will blow UK out. Hell, they could I guess, but they've been absolutely CRUSHED by the injury bug.

Certainly, UK will be a dog in that game. We'll see how the teams stack up injury wise. That one is still a few weeks out.

GBB!!!

 

[Mr Schwump]

Not sure why you think Tennessee will blow UK out. Hell, they could I guess, but they've been absolutely CRUSHED by the injury bug.

Certainly, UK will be a dog in that game. We'll see how the teams stack up injury wise. That one is still a few weeks out.

GBB!!!

UK's had more than their fare share of injuries too. Maybe already down 4 starters. Bonner, who was just rounding into shape, hurts a knee last night. Young may have the dreaded high ankle sprain. Batey, Westry, Ware get dinged. That kind of stuff kills depth and when you're in the midst of building can be deadly.

As for UT, they've had a string of Top 5/10 recruiting classes. Plenty of talent available to them, they miss their guys far less than UK misses theirs.

 

[UKErik]

Like I said, that game is a few weeks away. Hopefully, UK gets some of those guys back. UT has endured season ending injuries to a number of key guys. I have no idea how hard each will be to replace.

As for depth, that's been an issue at UK for the entire 36 or so years that I've followed the program.

GBB!!!

 

[buckkiller]

I'm proud of this teams wagon circling skills , they could have folded after the first two games but they decided to fight and I appreciate that .

Heck yeah I was ine of the worst on here bashing Stoops and showing my disappointment in our start! I will glafly eat crow if we continue to play hard and with passion like they have been. I was so upset with the UF game cause of effort by most of the team and coachs. They have seemed to fix it and hope they can suprise us maybe with a W vs UGA, UT ,OR UL. That would be sweet!!

 

[JC CATS]

1. Benny Snell is a game changer for UK. Really glad coaches went away from Jojo and just exchanged Boom and Benny UKnreally controls the ball for long stretches with those RB Beforecit was just Booms big plays or bust But Benny allows us to control ball and hide our D a bit
2. A coach I have never liked is having a good season....Schlarman. We have been solid running OL in past but this group is a notch above years past and the pass protecfion on edges has been way better
3. I call the qb shaky Stephen and he is shaky . But we atleast have a semblance of passing game which is all we need to go with run game
4. One thing I hope coaches reconsider is playing Tavin Richardson over Dorian Baker. Tavin to me is just a good bit better than Dorian Dorians drop (and it was a not so hardball at end of game to cagch) is just a pattern with him at this point. Not reliable at all

Good post, I agree with except for JoJo, He played very well when he played last night. Johnson or Smith, whatever his name is played decent if not for the turnovers.

 

[willievic]

Essentially without a qb

big blue, was that called for? He is 4-1, which isn't bad. He had several passes dropped yesterday, which should have been caught. His very first pass to Johnson was dropped. The kid has a lot of heart, and plays hard.

OLD STOLL FIELD GUY!

 

[UKErik]

That first pass was dropped, but it was thrown behind G. Johnson. He also threw a very poor ball to Conrad that might have been six.

With that being said, the dude is doing the best he can. He was recruited to backup Barker. Hopefully, the success in the win column eventually equals more confidence and better overall play. Last night, he was far from perfect, but he was better than he was against Vanderbilt. He's moving in the right direction.

GBB!!!

 

[kentucky_wildcat_#1]

big blue, was that called for? He is 4-1, which isn't bad. He had several passes dropped yesterday, which should have been caught. His very first pass to Johnson was dropped. The kid has a lot of heart, and plays hard.

OLD STOLL FIELD GUY!

It's really not hard to figure out why so many fans are frustrated with Johnson's play so far this season. If the cats had just an average passer at QB, you have to admit our offense could be for real and turn into a real weapon. It's not this kid's fault. It's not like this kid came in with the rep of being a future star and starting QB at a SEC school. The kid was a juco QB and is doing better than many of us probably expected. He just can't seem to make the simple touch pass that could open up our entire offense and make it explosive. With that said, it is true the kid is doing great at winning Kentucky football games. With the talent level this kid has to work with, he is doing a great job so far. He does seem to have a lot of heart and knows how to pull out wins.

 

[Mr Schwump]

That first pass was dropped, but it was thrown behind G. Johnson. He also threw a very poor ball to Conrad that might have been six.

With that being said, the dude is doing the best he can. He was recruited to backup Barker. Hopefully, the success in the win column eventually equals more confidence and better overall play. Last night, he was far from perfect, but he was better than he was against Vanderbilt. He's moving in the right direction.

GBB!!!

Agreed. What people miss with Johnson was what you mentioned...he was recruited as a back up. He's been thrust into the spotlight with Barker's injury. Wish he'd secure the ball better but other than that he's played well. Has made some errant throws but was money last night when he needed to be. Seems to have confidence and to have the confidence of his team.

BTW, amazed at the lack of comments about UK's trickeration...seemed to give the team a much needed boost.

 

[bigblueinsanity_rivals250340]

big blue, was that called for? He is 4-1, which isn't bad. He had several passes dropped yesterday, which should have been caught. His very first pass to Johnson was dropped. The kid has a lot of heart, and plays hard.

OLD STOLL FIELD GUY!

My comment was mostly about our use of the wildcat. Impressive to think we're racking up yards on the ground with the defense knowing we're running

He had some "drops" that as much bad throws as drops. He stepped up and delivered when it counted.

My main criticism with him is ball security. He can't keep laying the ball on the ground routinely.

As Erik said, he's a backup who's doing the best he can. Clean up the fumbles, deliver a pass here and there; and that's all anyone can hope for.

 

[JHannibalSmith]

Heck yeah I was ine of the worst on here bashing Stoops and showing my disappointment in our start! I will glafly eat crow if we continue to play hard and with passion like they have been. I was so upset with the UF game cause of effort by most of the team and coachs. They have seemed to fix it and hope they can suprise us maybe with a W vs UGA, UT ,OR UL. That would be sweet!!

I've been pretty critical of Stoops this season also & I am ecstatic that he's proved me wrong the last few weeks. I'm still concerned about a few things, including his clock management, which has been questionable at best his entire tenure. But, as I watched the on-field, post-game interview I could hear the nervous relief in Coach's voice. He looked shaken...but in a good way. He knew what was awaiting him had MacGinnis missed the kick. I don't know if I've ever been happier for a coach. And, although he's brought a lot of criticism & doubt on himself, the poor guy has endured a ton of blame & unnecessary hateful insults. It was good to see him happy after a big win.

After week 2 nobody could've convinced me that we'd have 3 SEC wins at this point & a really good shot at a bowl game. It definitely hasn't always been pretty & it's done a number on my blood pressure but he, the staff & the players all deserve a lot of credit for showing great resolve & hanging in there & winning some incredibly stressful & character building games. They will be better because of it.

 

[DCFseattle]

After week 2 nobody could've convinced me that we'd have 3 SEC wins at this point & a really good shot at a bowl game. It definitely hasn't always been pretty & it's done a number on my blood pressure but he, the staff & the players all deserve a lot of credit for showing great resolve & hanging in there & winning some incredibly stressful & character building games. They will be better because of it.

Don't flinch.

 

[rock264]

Sort of like winning a trophy at a demolition derby - it's still a win, but it's not that pretty. Am becoming more of a fan of this improving 0-line. I saw some key downfield blocking and nice gaps open up on the LOS.

 

[shutzhund]

Essentially without a qb

Unworthy of anyone. You and the Andrei character should create a UK sports site where never an encouraging word would ever be spoken or keyed.

 

[Soupbean]

It's a shame. So much potential there. Couldn't ask for much more physical gifts than what Baker has.

 

[Soupbean]

Former mistakes aside (I know he's had his share) I'm going to cut Dorian a break on this one. The ball was underthrown just enough so that the defender was able to catch up and Dorian was trying to shield the defender and then go up like a center does catching posting up. I think that messed up his timing and jumped too soon which made it awkward to catch on his way back down over the shoulder after stopping his original momentum. Still catchable but by no means an easy simple play. The rebound off his original miss was the one I thought he should have hung on to.

Or am I over analyzing this!

 

[Dakota25]

I am impressed with how UK has turned the season around after the first two weeks. After the last two years I'm not going to predict them going to a bowl until they actually beat Missouri. It will be a close game I expect.