Stoops: Kentucky’s tackles “can play better” after cracks in Columbia

Kentucky’s offseason rebuild began with its offensive line, an effort to return to the days of the Big Blue Wall and the wins that came with having a dominant front in Lexington. With three transfer portal additions, the group looked sturdy through the first three games at Kroger Field. But in their first true test on the road, the line cracked at inopportune times against South Carolina.

Mark Stoops said as much on Monday when asked about the play at offensive tackle in Columbia. He credited the unit for knowing their assignments, but the execution wasn’t clean enough in critical moments.

“We struggled at times, technique-wise,” Stoops admitted. “Assignment-wise, we were pretty good, for the majority of the night, you have to be at 100% though, we weren’t that. Technique-wise, some guys were fighting it a bit, and a bit off, and can play better. And we need them to.”

The breakdowns were the most obvious when South Carolina dialed up the twist action up front. Kentucky had prepared for it, Stoops said, but preparation didn’t always translate to clean protection in Williams-Brice Stadium.

“There were a couple in between, nothing we didn’t prepare for. Doesn’t make it easier, but there’s things that we were working and doing with that and the couple that stick out to myself, and probably you, were big plays,” Stoops explained. “That’s why I say the vast majority of the night we were on point there with our assignments.

“Technique, you’re going to get beat once in a while but our technique could be better and assignment-wise, there could be no time for that.”

One of the big plays we all remember: Cutter Boley’s second-quarter fumble, scooped up by South Carolina for a touchdown after future top-five pick Dylan Stewart drilled Boley in Boley’s first road start. Stoops admitted protection should have been better in that moment, and it’s a mistake Kentucky can’t afford with a young quarterback.

Mark Stoops’ Monday Press Conference

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