Kentucky vs. Georgia 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. Here is the breakdown of the Wildcat’s 16-6 loss to Georgia.

B.L.U.F. (Bottom Line Up Front)

The Wildcats battled but came up short against Georgia.

OVERVIEW

There is no such thing as a moral victory in the SEC. Yes, the Wildcats competed and had a chance to cut the game to a one-possession affair late in the fourth quarter, but the same problems continued to plague this team’s growth. Offensive inefficiencies in the Red Zone and struggles on third down limited points and yardage output. Special teams contributed a couple of key mistakes including an inept field goal attempt and an opening kickoff return that led to less-than-ideal field position. But, there were positives in the punt game. The ‘Cats averaged over 46 yards per boot.

The defense played their guts out and deserves a great deal of credit for their performance. The ‘Cats limited the Dawgs to 363 total yards and 16 points. Both numbers were significantly fewer than UGA’s season averages. Brad White’s unit battled without the services of multiple starters. A multitude of first- and second-year players performed at a high level.

Let’s get into goals vs. results.

OFFENSE

The offensive line played their best game of the season. Deondre Buford filled in for Kenneth Horsey at left tackle and showed promise. Will Levis ran the football consistently which provided avenues for gained yards. The signal caller had five carries for 26 yards. Doesn’t sound like much, but it kept the UGA defense honest. Levis finished the game 20/31 for 206 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. The run game was always going to be a challenge. UK managed 89 yards and averaged 3.6 per carry.

Barion Brown starred. The true freshman racked up 10 receptions for 145 yards and a score. The ‘Cats were able to be explosive at times but continued to be inefficient and ineffective in the Red Zone. The Dawgs also shut the door on third down. UK converted just 3/11. Let’s break it down.

Exceed: NO

The goal here was to exceed season averages in major offensive statistical categories. Georgia held the ‘Cats to 17 fewer points and 44 fewer total yards. The run game produced 31 fewer yards while the passing game came up 14 short of season totals.

Protect the Football: YES

Will Levis threw an interception in the Red Zone which hurt the team’s chances to win. Overall, the turnover margin was even for the afternoon. A push is a win for this offense.

DEFENSE

UK held the visitors to 24 fewer points than their season scoring average and 146 yards short of their normal total yardage production. The Wildcats were down several starters but played extremely hard and were efficient for the majority of the contest.

The Kentucky defense had a goal-line stand and key third-down stops that led to field goals instead of touchdowns. Moral victory? Maybe, but Brad White’s defense played winning football. Unfortunately, the other two phases were unable to match that proficiency. Third-level players Jordan Lovett and Zion Childress were influential. Jordan Wright led the team with 11 tackles.

Keep Bennett IV in the Pocket: YES

The Bulldog quarterback had rushed for seven touchdowns and extended drives while running the football. The ‘Cats mainly kept Stetson Bennett IV in check. The signal-caller finished the contest with five rushes for 25 yards.

Cover Tight Ends: YES

Georgia has the best tight-end room in America. It features All-World sophomore Brock Bowers and junior Darnell Washington. UK did a fantastic job in this category. Bowers registered two catches for 10 yards. Washington did not have a reception.

SPECIAL TEAMS

The Wildcats battled to potentially cut the lead to a one-score game deep in the fourth quarter. The field goal team ran onto the field which led to an uneasy feeling. The snap lazily rolled back to holder Chance Poore who did his best to get the ball set for Matt Ruffolo. The overall operation failed. Again.

Snap-Hold-Kick: NO

See above. Wasn’t close. Actually, Chance Poore nearly saved the play but the laces were in instead of out which led to a Ruffolo miss. The PAT/FG team is a mess and has been so for the majority of the 2022 season.

WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN?

Saturday was both encouraging and frustrating. UK has to be credited for bouncing back from a lackluster performance against Vanderbilt with a spirited outing against the nation’s top-ranked team. Effort and want-to were there. Physicality was also present. However, inefficiencies on offense and special teams continued to plague this team. This was clear in the offense’s ineptitude in the Red Zone and third down. Will Levis ran the football which brought new life, but the major issues rolled over from a frustrating season.

There were positives. Deondre Buford was solid. The same can be said of the offensive line as a whole. Georgia’s top-ranked defense managed just one QB sack. That has to be measured as an improvement. Barion Brown flashed and starred. The true freshman was terrific with 10 catches for 145 yards and a score. Chris Rodriguez Jr. fought for tough yards. At the end of the day, offenses are measured by points. Six isn’t going to get it done. Another failed two-point play was ugly. A fade into the boundary wasn’t exactly a high percentage or creative play call.

The defense was excellent. Led by a multitude of youthful contributors, the ‘Cats held strong on third down and threw in a goal-line stand. UGA found their avenue on the ground as the game went deep into the third and fourth quarters. But, White’s unit gave the offense chances. Saturday was a missed opportunity to knock off the Dawgs.

6-5 isn’t where this team was projected. Louisville comes to town riding momentum and a powerful defense that creates a bunch of havoc. Not good if the ‘Cats play to trend. Huge week for the program. A season-ending victory could wash away the taste of disappointment. A loss could put the program into a tailspin going into December’s Signing Day.

A message from the Kentucky Army National Guard, The Kentucky Army National Guard is YOUR Kentucky home team. The Soldiers of the Kentucky National Guard are your friends, neighbors, coworkers and classmates. We are from each county in Kentucky and we stand together to support our fellow Kentuckians in times of natural disaster and civil unrest. We also serve our nation at the direction of the president should the need for national defense arise. Soldiers in the Kentucky Army National Guard are able to take advantage of opportunities in education with trade skill training, student loan repayment and up to $60,000 in tuition assistance to state public universities while serving part time. Do you think you have what it takes to be a member of our team? For more information about joining the Kentucky Army National Guard, Text “KYGUARD” to 95577. Live Here, Serve Here, Kentucky Army National Guard.