Kentucky Looking For First Shutout Since Previous Matchup with Miami (OH)
Kentucky and Miami (OH) share more connections on the gridiron than you might think. When Mark Stoops’ team takes the field against the MAC school from his home state, his defense will try to do something that has not been done in more than a decade: pitch a shutout.
The former defensive coordinator’s calling card has produced some stellar units. In 2018 the Kentucky defense did not let Missouri get a first down in the entire second half. The week before they almost shutout Vandy in a 14-7 win. However, Stoops’ troops have never produced a final scoreboard with a goose-egg.
Kentucky’s last shutout was the season-opener of the 2009 season. Rich Brooks kicked off his final year with a 42-0 win over Miami (OH) at Paul Brown Stadium. Miami was held to just 188 yards of total offense. Randall Cobb scored two touchdowns, one on the ground and one through the air, while Chris Matthews caught a 22-yard touchdown in the route of the Redhawks.
A year after the Kentucky defense was widely criticized for their porous play, defensive coordinator Brad White has seen a greater sense of urgency from his group of veterans.
“Those guys have taken that personal and not just on the backend. It’s across the board,” White said earlier this week. “They want to be considered a top-notch defense and know they have to earn it in every game, in every category.”
Kentucky and Miami (OH) Connections
The Wildcats have 21 players from the state of Ohio. Miami (OH) also has plenty of players from the Commonwealth. There are six Kentuckians on the Miami roster, including Mason Moore, the son of former Wildcat great Marty Moore. The Redhawks also have Manual DB Eli Blakely, Daviess County QB Joseph Humphries, Lexington Catholic OL Sam Vaughan, George Rogers Clark OL Ben Jackson and Covington Catholic TE Jack Coldiron.
In addition to the roster connections, there’s Mark Stoops history tied to this matchup. Miami was Stoops’ first win as the Kentucky head coach. Saturday they could help him tie Bear Bryant for the most wins in Kentucky football history. In the 2013 victory Za’Darius Smith starred for the Wildcats, tallying three sacks to almost give Kentucky a shutout, winning 41-7 at Commonwealth Stadium.
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