Kentucky vs. Ball State: After Action Review 

An After Action Review, or AAR for short, is a military process used to analyze what happened, why it happened, and how it can be done better. Thanks to our friends at the Kentucky Army National Guard, KSR applies that concept to analyze Kentucky football games. The following is my report for Kentucky’s 44-14 win over Ball State.  

B.L.U.F. (Bottom Line Up Front)  

Kentucky did what it had to do in order to start the season 1-0. The Wildcats victory wasn’t a thing of beauty. Mark Stoops’ post-game unhappiness was obvious. But, a win is a win, especially in the first week of the season.  

OVERVIEW 

Mark Stoops debuted two new coordinators on Saturday. Liam Coen returned to lead the offense and Jay Boulware was brought in to fix the Wildcats’ special teams disaster from 2022. The UK offense was good, but not great on Saturday. The third phase was the highlight of the contest. Brad White’s defense flashed brilliance at times but was uncharacteristically inconsistent down the stretch.  

Overall, the ‘Cats did what they had to do on Saturday. A convincing and complementary 44-14 win checked the box in the W/L category. However, the game’s flow was strange and the BBN left Kroger Field wanting more. Film from the Ball State game will be vital in teaching important lessons for a team that entered the season with high hopes.  

OFFENSE 

The Big Blue Nation’s long-anticipated return of offensive coordinator Liam Coen led to unachievable expectations. The UK offense managed 357 total yards off just 51 plays. The Devin Leary-led unit averaged seven yards per snap but was limited due to a low number of opportunities.  

I established just one goal for the Kentucky offense. This simplistic approach was to gauge the offense’s overall improvement and to attempt to foresee issues or problems going forward. The objective was for there to be No Warning Signs as we saw a year ago in the season opener.  

This goal was vague and the measurable to establish a “go” or “no-go” based on the eye test or gut feeling. While I left the game wanting more, I did not see many signals that left me alarmed. One stat line that does need improvement is down efficiency. 44 percent is a good number, but drives were stalled on the money down which was another factor that led to a low number of snaps.  

The offensive line appears to have improved from a year ago. The ‘Cats allowed three tackles for loss and one quarterback sack. These numbers are a decrease from early season contests in 2022. Led by Ray Davis, UK averaged 5.8 yards per carry on the ground and 10.1 yards per pass completion. Davis finished the outing with 112 yards and two scores. He also averaged eight yards per rush.  

As stated above, the OL in general was improved. However, it still did not dominate the line of scrimmage for four quarters. Ball State’s front seven was a good, Week 1 test. I am somewhat encouraged by the OLs outing, but the group still has a way to go. Kenneth Horsey’s injury is lingering and a considerable concern for the remainder of the season.  

The game’s tempo dictated a low number of snaps which skewed the eye test and final statistics. Quarterback Devin Leary and the passing game were a little “off” in the first half. I saw Leary miss open pass catchers but I also viewed receivers running the wrong routes. This communication matter is the derivative of new personnel adjusting to game action. Communication and coordination in the pass game can be fixed and I fully expect Coen to do so.  

Dane Key’s five catches for 96 yards and a score led the way in the passing game. Barion Brown and Tayvion Robinson each had three receptions for a combined 77 yards. One element that did not meet expectations was TE involvement. Brenden Bates managed the group’s lone reception.  

Overall, I didn’t see glaring warning signals that led me to be overly concerned. But, the offense’s performance also left me wanting to see more. I may be wrong, but I don’t think that Coen opened up the playbook on Saturday. He didn’t need to in order to get the W. This decreased my level of concern.  

DEFENSE 

Brad White’s unit had moments that were outstanding. The UK defense recorded eight tackles for loss and three quarterback sacks to go along with two forced fumbles. That’s a higher level of disruption than a year ago. Jalen Geiger’s scoop and score was a highlight. Jordan Lovett had another but the officials wrongly signaled the play dead. I had one major objective for the ‘Cats to achieve on Saturday and that was to get after the quarterback. The ‘Cats were up and down in this category. Three sacks were sufficient. The front seven also hurried the opposing QBs in the first half as well.  

Kentucky was great on first and second down for the majority of Saturday’s contest. The Cardinals’ 53 percent third down conversion percentage was not acceptable. For comparison purposes, Ball State went 9-17 on third down. UK was 4-9. Those numbers greatly influenced the final play total that was lopsided in favor of Ball State. The Cardinals managed 71 offensive plays compared to just 51 for the ‘Cats. UK also lost the time of possession battle, 38:02-21:58.  

The defensive line performance exceeded my high expectations. Kahlil Saunders surfaced as the defensive lineman not named Deone Walker to force the issue on Saturday. Saunders finished with four tackles including 1.5 for loss and 1.5 QB sack. Walker, Oxendine, Hayes, Silver, and company were active and created havoc in the opponent’s backfield. The DL’s outing was incredibly encouraging.  

Trevin Wallace starred. The linebacker registered 12 tackles, 2 TFLs, and 0.5 QB sacks. His quickness, processing, physicality, and ability to run sideline to sideline was one of the game’s most impressive outcomes. Fellow LB D’Eryk Jackson had eight stops as well. JJ Weaver was also imposing by recording six tackles, one TFL, and one sack.  

Ball State freshman quarterback Kadin Semonza provided a spark for the visitors in the second half. The rookie went 15-21 for 165 yards and threw a touchdown pass. The third and fourth quarters will be a point of emphasis in the film room for the Kentucky defense. The ‘Cats couldn’t get off the field due to Ball State’s ability to convert on 3^rd downs.  

As stated earlier, the defense had an up-and-down performance. When it was good, it was very good. These moments in the game included a goal line stand, producing havoc, and creating turnovers. It also resulted in action across the line of scrimmage in terms of TFLs and QB sacks. But, when it wasn’t good, Ball State took full advantage. This mainly surfaced in the second half and a couple of long scoring drives.  

Overall, the Kentucky defense flashed signs of being yet another SEC top-5 unit. However, consistency and finishing will be points of emphasis leading into the EKU game next weekend.

SPECIAL TEAMS 

Barion Brown returned a kickoff for a touchdown. The sophomore speedster went untouched while pacing the length of the football field. Kicker Alex Raynor was perfect for the day. The transfer went 5-5 on PATs and 3-3 on field goals from 41, 46, and 46 yards out. The field goal/PAT operation that includes the snap, hold, and kick was flawless. Chance Poore booted the football into the end zone on kickoffs and Wilson Berry averaged 47 yards per punt.  

The nearly flawless and influential third phase performance was the story of the game in my opinion. Special teams won the day and was much more consistent and effective than the offense and defense. Coordinator Jay Boulware’s opening game was one that served as a refreshing reminder of how vital the third phase is for a team’s goal of playing complementary football. Kentucky’s special teams were a weapon, not a liability. I find that incredibly encouraging.  

WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN?  

Tickets were purchased to watch the return of Liam Coen. Brad White’s defense was also a point of enthusiasm for the Big Blue Nation. But, special teams coordinator Jay Boulware’s unit was the best and most influential phase in the contest. 

Quarterback Devin Leary and the passing game were off in the first half. However, the signal caller completed 9-10 passes in the second half. Incompletions and missed opportunities through the air weren’t all on the quarterback. I saw errors in route running and timing as well. Ray Davis starred after going for 112 yards and a couple of scores. The offensive line was improved but needs more work.  

Brad White’s defense was hot and cold. While it dominated at times, inconsistencies were too prevalent in the second half. That can be fixed, and so can offensive misses. Special teams were a glaring weakness a year ago. Saturday was far from that.   

The Wildcats are 1-0. EKU is up next. The most notable improvements for most college football teams occur from Week 1 to Week 2. I expect Stoops to clean up opening game errors this week in practice.