The Kentucky Defense is Moving Forward

The Kentucky defense has never been better under Mark Stoops.  They've accomplished much through five games, but they're still focused on what's next. Josh Allen has piled up plenty of accolades through the first five weeks of the season, but he's only giving others credit. "I'm just doing my job," he said.  "I'm not going out there and trying to make a play.  I'm just doing what the coaches give me.  I'm just executing the calls and trying to make plays for my team because I know in the secondary they have my back.  I'm just trying to have their back up front." Last year Allen's numbers were just as impressive at this point in the season, but his production dove-tailed down the stretch.  Don't expect that to happen this season. "He's a different player.  He's in a different mindset right now," said Allen's position coach, Brad White.  "It's the theme for our team.  We're not looking back.  We're looking forward." Defensive coordinator Matt House echoed that sentiment after Wednesday's practice. "I think every year is different.  He's a different player than last year at this point. We don't wanna go backwards.  He's committed himself this offseason.  He's committed himself this season so we're just worried about going ahead." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrUinGg5uiQ

Thanks, Terry and Benny

Texas A&M's offense goes through quarterback Kellen Mond and running back Trayveon Williams.  Mond is a dynamic athlete at quarterback and Williams only trails Benny Snell in production. "We know what we're going to get. We know Terry and Mond are similar.  We know Benny and Trayveon are similar.  We see that everyday so we're just going to have to go out, execute our calls and play sounds defense," Allen said. "Those guys are special.  He's a good running back.  The quarterback can frickin roll," said defensive line coach Derrick LeBlanc. "The best thing that happened to us is going against our offense all year.  We've toughened each other up.  We've seen every look we can possibly see.  We have possibly the best back in the conference and a new, special quarterback that's going to be really good in this conference.  We've seen it all, so game time comes relatively easy because we've seen it all."

More Discipline on the D-Line

Mark Stoops remarked on Monday that the defensive line probably played its worst game of the season against South Carolina.  They got a little too greedy, opting to search for the football instead of focusing on attacking their blocker.  LeBlanc saw his players doing things he does not coach.  To put it lightly, the defensive line coach addressed that problem. "We played a sloppy game, but I think we got that corrected though," he said with a smile.

A Tough Rotation to Crack

Despite Saturday's setback, LeBlanc has seen dramatic improvement across the board.  Kordell Looney and Calvin Taylor Jr. have taken steps forward, and it's hard to take the nose guards out of the game. "Man, they make it hard on me because everybody's getting better every week.  They really make it hard on me to manage the rotation, but that's a good problem to have." LeBlanc revealed the reps have been split pretty evenly between Quinton Bohanna and Tymere DuBose, with Marquan McCall spelling them at times.  The only time they exit the game is for the third down nickel package.

More from Brad White

You probably haven't heard too much from Josh Allen's new position coach.  Take this opportunity to hear from the former Indianapolis Colts' assistant. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbpsfDQTrIM [mobile_ad]