Mark Stoops makes final call on running back Chip Trayanum vs. South Carolina
Kentucky opens SEC play up on Saturday, welcoming the South Carolina Gamecocks to Lexington. It’s early in the week but head coach Mark Stoops has already made the final call on running back Chip Trayanum as he deals with a broken hand. Trayanum will not play in the game, his second absence after not playing in the season opener vs. Southern Miss.
“On his weekly radio show, Kentucky coach Mark Stoops says running back Chip Trayanum definitely will be out this week versus South Carolina,” Ryan Black of the Courier Journal said via X. “He also missed last week’s season-opening victory over Southern Miss.”
Searching for a running back addition this offseason, Kentucky went into the NCAA transfer portal to find Trayanum. It’s his first season with the program after spending the previous two at Ohio State. Trayanum’s college career actually began out West with the Arizona State Sun Devils, being a member of the 2020 recruiting class.
Unfortunately, the Wildcats will have to wait at least one more week before Trayanum officially plays in front of Big Blue Nation. The hope is that he can elevate Kentucky’s running back room after putting up decent performances at Ohio State. Trayanum rushed for 373 yards and three touchdowns on 85 carries for the Buckeyes.
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Stoops and Kentucky offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan will have to look elsewhere against South Carolina.
Saturday’s game against Southern Miss was called early due to weather. Kentucky did run the ball a decent amount, though, having 24 attempts. Demie Sumo wound up the leading rusher with 59 yards and a score on eight carries. Quarterback Brock Vandagriff was right behind Sumo, going for 35 yards on five rushes.
On the flip side, South Carolina had a decent day against the run despite being in a close contest against Old Dominion. The Monarchs averaged just 3.2 yards per carry, a stat you would hope to see from an SEC defensive line going up against an inferior opponent.
Something will have to give at Kroger Field. Kentucky would likely feel a lot more confident if Trayanum was going to be in the lineups. However, the hand is not completely healed and other backs will need to rise to the occasion.