Bush Hamdan believes Kentucky needs methodical approach to win football games

Mark Stoops called Kentucky’s offense “methodical” and “not very explosive” during his press conference on Monday to begin Week 6. Mistakes have been magnified for this group. Look no further then the loss at South Carolina where four second quarter turnovers ultimately ended the game. The Cats seem to believe they need a conservative approach due to their limitations on offense.

Offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan backed up those comments on Tuesday. The second-year play-caller in Lexington is having to adjust and think a little bit different with this year’s unit.

“I think this biggest thing from my end here in two years is we gotta play a different way to win football games. That I do know,” Hamdan said. “We’ve gotta put ourselves in position to take risks when we need to take risks and be smart when we need to play smart. It’s figuring out that balance that’s critical.”

“We’ve gotta be a little bit unconventional and keep our team in better position to go win football games.”

What cannot happen with this football team is for Kentucky to fall in a two-possession hole. This has been true throughout the Stoops era due to Kentucky’s lack of dropback passing efficiency. It may be even more true this year. The Cats are struggling to get wide receivers open and have a young quarterback that is going through some expected growing pains. Kentucky is focusing on figuring out ways to get the football out of Cutter Boley‘s hands before sacks and turnovers arrive in high volume. When third-and-long arrives, Kentucky has to think about ball security first.

Throughout his career as an offensive coordinator, Bush Hamdan worked for offensive head coaches at Missouri and Washington before spending the 2023 season at Boise State with defensive head coach Andy Avalos. One could easily argue all of those programs were offense-first. That really isn’t true at Kentucky. This is a defensive program that puts a huge emphasis on running the football and playing ball control offense. With some big question marks at receiver and a very young quarterback taking over, the Cats have to play an extra conservative brand of football.

“I think it’s in a lot of ways maybe more different,” Hamdan said when asked if he’s had to take more play-calling risks at Kentucky. “The more risks you take right now for us, that’s been costly for us in a lot of situations.

“I know everybody wants to sit around and throw it around and do that and all those things, but right now, you look at the games in the SEC that we’ve been in, that we’ve had a chance — Ole Miss particularly last year, Georgia last year — it was a very methodical approach if you will. Hold on to the football. Keep us in the game.”

Kentucky is focused on ball security and not losing the game on offense. This program cannot have what happened at Williams-Brice Stadium happen again this season. That could lead to some very safe play calls on third down as this offense tries to execute a winning blueprint.