The UK Offense Hits It Stride, a Play-Calling Breakdown Through 5 Weeks

Kentucky played it’s best game on Saturday against Florida and will need another top performance tomorrow to have any chance against Georgia. Obviously, Ray Davis and the rushing attack led the way and there wasn’t much pressure for the passing game to perform. But we still saw trends against the Gators that we’ve seen all season, even with the heavy lean towards the rush.

A breakdown against Florida and for the season:

1ST DOWN

Against Florida
Passing Plays: 2-5, 22 yards
Running Plays: 25 rushes for 247 yards, 3 TD

Combined Season Stats
Passing Plays: 32-55, 391 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT, 4 sacks allowed
Running Plays: 74 rushes for 430 yards, 4 TD

Breakdown: I’m not sure we’ve seen as much a disparity in run plays against pass plays on 1st down since the Bill Curry days. But why wouldn’t you run the ball every time when Davis was having the impact he was? UK just absolutely manhandled Florida up front time and again. Kentucky really didn’t even try to mask anything or be creative. They simply ran it down UF’s throats.

2ND DOWN

Against Florida
Passing Plays: 5-7, 40 yards, 1 TD
Running Plays: 10 rushes for 78 yards

Combined Season Stats
Passing Plays: 31-51, 508 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT (1 fumble)
Rushing Plays: 42 rushes for 418 yards, 6 TD

Breakdown: While it wasn’t important against Florida, UK still continued to be efficiently lethal on 2nd down. 7.8 yards per carry. Now 9.9 yards per carry FOR THE SEASON. The passing game was fine and the Davis touchdown occurred here. But as good as they were on 1st down, they didn’t need the production on 2nd down at all.

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3RD DOWN AND LONG (6 Yards or More)

Against Florida
Passing Plays: 1-5, -2 yards (converted 0 of 5)
Running Plays: 1 rush for 4 yards (converted 0 of 1)

Combined Season Stats
Passing Plays: 12-28, 167 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT (converted 7 of 28)
Rushing Plays: 5 rushes for 33 yards, 3 QB scrambles (converted 2 of 5)

Breakdown: Continued struggles here and what is most concerning is Leary’s completion percentage. He has not been fortunate either as his wideouts have dropped several passes too. But his accuracy has been a concern. Now below 30% for the season. Would like to get that between 30-35% if possible. Hasn’t hurt them yet. Might need it against Georgia.

3RD DOWN AND SHORT (5 Yards or Less)

Against Florida
Passing Plays: 1-2, 9 yards (converted 1 of 2)
Running Plays: No Plays

Combined Season Stats
Passing Plays: 7-9, 63 yards (converted 7 of 9)
Rushing Plays: 5 rushes for 13 yards (converted 4 of 5)

Breakdown: Not much to breakdown here. UK continues to be good here on the season but leaning pass more than run again. Interesting note to keep in the back of your mind for the remainder of the season.

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