Injured RB Seth McGowan 'tried like heck' to play against Tennessee

Seth McGowan was a game-time decision going into the Tennessee game. Kentucky’s top running back was dressed in his helmet and pads on the sidelines, but ultimately did not give it a go in the Wildcats’ 56-34 loss to the Volunteers.

“He tried like heck,” Head coach Mark Stoops said of McGowan in the postgame press conference. “He’s just so tough and wants it so bad. He went out there and took some hits and he was trying to — he just didn’t feel comfortable with securing the ball.”

It might not have mattered too much considering Kentucky’s defense gave up so many points, but it would have helped to have McGowan out there. They’ll certainly need him down the stretch of the regular season. Before Saturday’s defeat, he ranked among the SEC’s top 10 in rushing yards (476) and rushing touchdowns (seven). An injury last week against Texas sent him to the hospital, but he managed to return anyway and play in the second half.

McGowan, who has been dealing with injuries for most of the season, particpated in interviews following Tuesday’s practice, and Stoops said he expected the ball carrier to play earlier in the week. Obviously, that was not the case. But some credit is deserved by the backups who stepped up in his place. Dante Dowdell and Jason Patterson combined for 103 rushing yards on 18 carries (5.7 YPC). Offense wasn’t necessarily the issue for Kentucky against Tennessee, though.

Once again, UK was without starting cornerback DJ Waller Jr. due to a hamstring injury that has sidelined him since Week 1. The secondary was expected to be a strong suit of this team, something Stoops said himself back in the offseason, but it’s been getting picked apart all season long. Tennessee threw for just under 400 yards without a single interception.

Terhyon Nichols has been sound throughout the year at cornerback, but even he’s dealing with something.

“I got a guy who is out there, Terhyon is playing through injury, and the kid’s out there against some elite guys not at full strength, and he has to go, and I appreciate him,” Stoops said. “It hasn’t been good enough.”

To make matters worse, Stoops said he thinks key offensive pieces Hardley Gilmore and Willie Rodriguez both re-aggravated injuries against Tennessee. Steven Soles, an impact linebacker on defense, was a late scratch on Saturday due to his health. Injuries are piling up at the worst time for a team that hasn’t won a game since the middle of September.

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