Kentucky Practice Report: Offense is working on details
Kentucky scored 30 offensive points in nine possessions against Ball State in a Week 1 win. Despite the efficient performance, offensive coordinator Liam Coen believes his unit left a lot of meat on the bone. Over at the Joe Craft Football Training Facility, the Wildcats are focusing on the small things
“The theme of the day was details, details, details,” Coen told reporters on Tuesday evening. “I thought the guys played hard, but we didn’t always play very smart.”
Before hosting Eastern Kentucky in another game at Kroger Field on Saturday afternoon, Kentucky is hard at work improving communication and making the small things count.
Kentucky is hungry
After looking at the tape of the 44-14 Week 1 win, Kentucky realized that they left a lot on the table. The Wildcats finished drives with points and hit on some explosive plays, but the overall efficiency could have been better. The Wildcats are working hard to fix that.
“Averaged seven yards per play and did some good things from an explosive standpoint, but the consistent execution, the consistent details, snap in and snap out. You could tell in today’s practice that there was a more sense of urgency from a communication and detail standpoint.”
“I thought there was some really good things and some not so good things. It was just kind of the theme of the day.”
The offense is hoping that the extra attention paid to the little things will make a big difference in Week 2. Coen believes his group is driven and motivated.
“Hungry,” Coen said on Tuesday. “When you look at the tape, and you see how much is left out there, you’re hungry.”
Offensive line must improve communication
The first game of the season appeared to be a step in the direction for Kentucky’s offensive line rebuild. Zach Yenser‘s unit did some good things in the run game and mostly kept Devin Leary clean even though the pressure rate (37.5%) was fairly high. The Wildcats even got some good news when Mark Stoops announced that super senior left guard Kenneth Horsey will only have to miss a couple of weeks.
However, there is room for a lot of growth. Most notably, communication must improve.
“Like everybody, it was hit or miss. I think there were some things that we did well, and there were some communication issues and execution issues that we can’t have. It starts all with them being on the same page,” Coen said. “All five doing what they’re supposed to do together — communicating at a high level and hopefully we can get some of those communication things cleaned up. I do believe they tried to play physical but, at the end of the day, it’s more about them being on the same page.”
There will be a new starting five in Week 2 with West Virginia transfer Dylan Ray taking over for Horsey at left guard. That adds another variable, but Kentucky is working hard to fix some of the pre-snap issues. Having a new quarterback and new starting center (Jager Burton) was a factor, but the Wildcats aren’t looking for excuses. This week’s focus is all about improvement.
“We’re looking for huge improvements from game one to game two from a communication standpoint and from an execution standpoint,” said Coen.
Kentucky is not worried about Devin Leary
NC State transfer Devin Leary had high expectations entering his super senior season this season. Many believed that the veteran could be one of the best quarterbacks in the SEC, but the first game was somewhat overwhelming.
Leary completed only eight of his first 20 passes and finished the day with 231 passing yards (7.8 yards per attempt) and threw an interception on a fourth down when Kentucky attempted to extend a drive in the second quarter. The second quarter was noticeably clunky. However, Leary closed the game strong and is looking to bounce back in Week 2.
Liam Coen is not worried about his quarterback.
“First time playing in a long time, and he’s a G,” Coen says. “He’ll respond.”
That settles that.
Kentucky might need to change signals this week
Kentucky and Eastern Kentucky have a lot in common. Most notably, a ton of former Kentucky staffers now work in Richmond. Most notably, former tight end, graduate assistant, and quality control assistant C.J. Conrad is now the tight ends coach for the Colonels. Just a few months ago, Conrad was working for Coen in Lexington.
That could force some changes for the offense this week. Coen admitted that some signals could be changed during this week’s game prep.
Saturday will very much be a reunion for many parties on both sidelines.
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