Kentucky vs. EKU: After Action Review 

An After Action Review (AAR) is a militaristic tool that KSR utilizes to measure the success vs. expectation results for the Kentucky Wildcats. The following will analyze UK’s 28-17 win over Eastern Kentucky.

B.L.U.F. (Bottom Line Up Front) 

Kentucky won the football game 28-17 and is 2-0 on the season. The Wildcats’ victory was stylistically disappointing based on the team’s season and specific game expectations. But, the overall objective was achieved.  

SITUATION 

Eastern Kentucky traveled to Kroger Field in a Week 2 matchup. The Colonels were destroyed by Cincinnati in the season opener 66-13. The Wildcats beat Ball State by 30 a week ago. Kentucky’s lopsided outcome left the BBN and Mark Stoops wanting to see more from the 2023 squad. UK was a 36-point favorite going into the contest.  

The following lists results from predetermined goals that were established to measure success.

OFFENSE 

The Wildcat offense sputtered in the first half for the second week in a row. This theme was emphasized after UK trailed 7-0 after the first quarter and tied 7-7 at halftime. There were numerous factors that contributed to the slow start. First off, the numbers.  

Kentucky managed a mere 24 rush yards in the first and second quarters. That’s not good enough. Liam Coen’s system heavily relies on play-action passing. Not a lot of attention was being paid to the run portion of the play following a 10-attempt, 24-yard half. Second, the ‘Cats were flagged on six occasions for 50 yards. Penalties impacted the next result which was 2/9 on 3^rd down, or 22.2%.  

Devin Leary completed 14 of 25 passes for 125 yards and one touchdown. Early game accuracy issues surfaced for the second consecutive game. Sure-completion misses limited UK in the first and second quarters. Pass catchers dropped receptions as well in addition to route concerns. When Coen went pass-happy, the execution and attention to detail failed to accompany the playcaller’s intent.  

The last drive of the half and the third and fourth quarters resulted in much higher success. Tayvion Robinson starred. Leary numbers were 10/13 (69%), 198 yards, and three touchdown passes. He also finished the contest with eight consecutive completions. The ‘Cats ran for 101 yards. In all, the offense clicked and was much more efficient. However, the slow starts are notable. Coen’s first offense in Lexington was known for fast starts.  

The most concerning number to me was on third down. 4/11, or 36%, was a point of frustration. Pre-snap penalties and holding calls on third down were joined by dropped passes and errant throws. All were contributing factors. Coen’s first offense averaged over 50% for the 2021 season. That 13-game sum ranked second in the SEC. This is an area that should receive ample attention in practice this week.  

The same can be said of the Red Zone offense. The ‘Cats converted on 2/4 trips. The pace of play is not a concern but is something that is noteworthy. Frequently snapping the football at the end of the play clock, the ‘Cats have not been in a hurry in 2023. Maybe that’s on purpose. But, it’s absolutely conspicuous. The following are results compared to pregame goals.  

Balance Explosion (250 and 250)
Result: NO-GO 

Again, there was a theme to this game. The first half ‘Cats vs. the second half ‘Cats resulted in varying levels of success. Also, UK never seemed to commit to the run nor was it successful when doing so. That was and remains to be concerning. The line of scrimmage was expected to be dominated by the ‘Cats. That was never a consistent nor accurate description of Saturday’s game.  

UK rushed for 115 yards. This number fell short of the 250 mark. Leary threw for 299. His number exceeded the goal. Coen is about balance. This needs to become a reality. Perhaps the playcaller is purposefully working on the pass-game in the season’s early portion of the schedule. Regardless, UK registered a NO-GO in this objective.  

Complete 70%
Result: NO-GO  

Devin Leary completed 63.1% of his passes vs. EKU. His 56% first half compared to 69% in the second was a deciding factor in not accomplishing this objective. There were multiple dropped passes that also impacted the NO-GO grade for the ‘Cats.  

50+ Points
Result: NO-GO  

Kentucky scored 28 points which was well below the 50-point total that was established as a pregame goal. The number was established following Cincinnati’s 66-point explosion a week ago. It was felt that UK was a better team than the Bearcats in the week leading up to the game.  

DEFENSE 

The Kentucky defense did not have a strong outing vs. EKU. This was surprising. However, I have complete faith in Brad White and his personnel to get this cleaned up. Giving up 17 points was not the expected result. Third downs continued to plague the defense. EKU’s 50% conversion ratio (6/12) extended drives that led to points. Many of the chain-moving plays were aggravating.  

EKU QB Parker McKinney was a player that I focused on leading up to Saturday. I expected the super-senior to make plays. The same can be said of RB/ATH Braedon Sloan. Both hurt the ‘Cats. The defensive line had push at times, but not consistently.  

Deone Walker registered a sack which was one of just two for the day. Trevin Wallace recorded the team’s other QB sack. Tre’vonn Rybka returned to the field and was active. He had one TFL for the game. Nose tackle Josaih Hayes added .5 TFL as well.  

The middle of the field was again an area that UK gave up passing play success for the second consecutive week. This could be from communication misfires or linebacker-safety area of responsibility disputes. McKinney found success in this area of the field. Andru Phillips and Wallace led the ‘Cats with seven tackles. Wallace also recorded one QB sack, one TFL, and forced a fumble. His star is rising by the minute. D’Eryk Jackson followed with five stops and .5 TFL. The following are goal vs. results.  

5 QB Sacks 
Result: NO-GO 

Kentucky recorded just two QB sacks. The ‘Cats managed pressure, but the veteran Parker escaped the pocket or got the pass off prior to a QB sack opportunity. However, two is a disappointing number. The UK defensive front seven had a significant personnel advantage over EKU. I expected a more dominant outing.  

10 Tackles for Loss
Result: NO-GO 

This objective’s result was 50% less than the predetermined total. This came after recording eight TFLs vs. Ball State in the opener. Credit EKU for game planning and executing their way out of giving up havoc.  

35% or Lower on 3^rd Down
Result: NO-GO  

I earlier stated that I am not concerned with the Kentucky defense. This mainly surrounds my level of respect for Brad White and that front seven. However, EKU’s 50% success rate on 3^rd down was outrageous. The Kentucky defense just can’t get off the field on a consistent basis.  

This development is out of character from a UK defense that’s finished in the SEC’s Top 5 over the past four seasons. Matter of fact, the ‘Cats gave up just 33% on third downs for the 2022 season. That ranked 3^rd in the SEC. That’s not been the case for the 2023 Wildcats.  

Kentucky is currently ranked 14^th, or last in the SEC, after opponents have converted 52% on third down. That’s a “wow” moment for this stat-driven writer. Penalties have led to this result, but don’t tell the complete story. Third downs will certainly be a point of instruction going forward. Mark Stoops often emphasizes complementary football. Giving up 50% or more on the money down is a contributing factor for UK’s offensive average of just 56 snaps per outing. Slow play is another reason.  

SPECIAL TEAMS 

Kentucky was coming off a nearly flawless and highly influential third-phase performance against Ball State. Expecting the same level of efficiency was unrealistic, but still anticipated. High success leads to high expectations. Let’s get into goals vs. results.  

More of the Same
Result: GO 

Barion Brown’s 36-yard punt return led to a score. Chance Poore’s kickoff success rate doesn’t garner media attention. But, the kicker was a perfect 5/5 on kickoffs that resulted in touchbacks. In fact, Poore is a perfect 13/13 for the season on touchbacks. Punter Wilson Berry averaged 52 yards per boot. Alex Raynor’s PATs were 4/4 as well.  

The only deficiency was an allowed punt block. This could have led to a NO-GO, but every other special teams action was clean and impactful.  

OUTCOME 

There is no such thing as a bad win. Or at least that’s what I’ve been trained to say. However, the Wildcats’ 28-17 win over EKU was disappointing and yet another performance that left the BBN wanting to see more. Things get serious this Saturday.  

Akron is 1-1. The Zips lost to Temple 24-21 before defeating Morgan State 24-21 on Saturday. This is not a world-beating opponent and is yet another game that the ‘Cats should easily win. But, I’m finished making outlandish predictions about outcomes until I see UK play a complete, four-quarter game. It’s time to see the value in this team.  

Again, it’s time. After two lackluster outings, stylistic expectations no longer matter with the SEC slate looming near. There are confidence apprehensions about this team from fans and media alike. Saturday could go two different ways.  

The Wildcat team on display this Saturday may put it all together and the collective BBN response would be, “That makes sense.” Or, the issues that have plagued this team continue and will lead to legitimate reservations about the Vanderbilt game.  

Regardless, it’s time.