How Kentucky Can Improve Deep-Ball Accuracy

Kentucky failed to create explosive plays through the air against Toledo, but it wasn’t for a lack of effort. The Wildcats threw eight passes more than 20 yards down the field, and all fell incomplete, with two drawing pass interference penalties.

The inconsistency stalled drives and halted momentum, but for a moment during the first offensive possession, it looked like Zach Calzada connected deep downfield to JJ Hester. The wide receiver thought he got his foot in bounds, but his catch was overturned after a lengthy review. Hester knows the offense needs more momentum swings from those kinds of big plays.

“It gives everybody around the offense, and even the defense, a boost of energy. Anytime somebody makes a big play like that, it makes everybody confident,” said Hester.

Creating those deep connections is a point of emphasis this week for Kentucky, even if it means hitting the tight ends who are running underneath the deep routes.

“It’s gotta be my decision-making, knowing when to put the ball down and run, knowing when to take my outlets,” the Kentucky quarterback told KSR Tuesday evening after practice.

“Those tight ends, we saw a lot of production hitting those outlet throws on some of our shots. We know exactly what we need to work on in regards to our shots. We’re going to keep building that chemistry, and we’re going to keep pounding the rock.”

What’s the key to fixing the problem? KISS: Keep it simple, stupid. Offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan wants Calzada to be more decisive when those long shots are called.

“Initially, there was indecision from our standpoint at the quarterback position, sometimes making it more complicated than it needs to be, checking left, checking right post-snap. We’ve really addressed that from a standpoint of, post-snap pick the guy we’re going with, hold the safety, and give (the receiver) a chance, give him an opportunity,” said the Kentucky offensive coordinator.

They say that teams make their greatest strides from week one to week two. Hamdan is banking on his players’ work ethic to meet that goal.

“We didn’t like how we played at all on Saturday,” said Hamdan. “Whatever the results may be, we got the win, and the guys know how focused and hungry we gotta be to get things better. I feel that. I’ve felt from day one with these players, it’s a group that wants to be out here, that wants to work. There’s no drama, high work ethic. We gotta tap into that and fuel into that the remainder of the year.”

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