Josh Paschal on loss to Alabama: "This is not who we are"

Kentucky may have been down ten players due to COVID and injuries, but Josh Paschal was not willing to use that as an excuse for the 63-3 loss to Alabama, the fifth worst in program history.

“Of course, we were a little shorthanded this week but that can happen this season with COVID. It’s a different season than usual. The next guy just has to stand up and I’m proud of the guys who did step up who were thrown in those situations and whatnot, but we have to get better. This is not acceptable. This is not a part of our culture and this is not who we are.”

It may sound absurd considering Kentucky only scored three points, but the offense managed to move the ball in the first quarter. Unfortunately, the defense got burned early and often. Alabama finished with 509 total yards, averaging 7.7 yards per play to Kentucky’s 3.1. The Crimson Tide was 7-7 in the red zone. Paschal admitted that hole was demoralizing at times, but he doesn’t want his younger teammates to accept losing in any manner.

“As a defense, we really had to pick each other up. There was a time when — nobody likes losing. Nobody likes getting blown out at the end of the day, so as leaders on that team, we had to lift each other up. when the young guys got in, Coach coached them up as well. Today is not acceptable. I want you all to know that. This is not acceptable for us. We know that as leaders, as a whole football team, as a whole organization. As leaders, we’re going to put that on the young guys so the young guys know this is unacceptable. This is not who we are. This won’t happen again and we’re really going to hone that in on the young guys.”

On to the next one.