Injuries are an Easy Scapegoat for lack of Will Levis Runs
Kentucky football fans saw flashes of the old Will Levis Saturday afternoon against Georgia. It wasn’t his arm that looked different. No. 7 was using his legs. He carried the ball four times to gain 30 rushing yards and was only sacked one time.
“I feel pretty good. I was joking that this is the healthiest I’ve felt after a game all season against the best defense in the country,” Will Levis said after the game. “That’s a credit to the guys up front. I think I only got sacked one time today, which is awesome. I feel good, still not 100%, but it is nice to be involved in the run game a little bit.”
On one 3rd and 7 Kentucky’s quarterback tucked the ball, rushed up the middle and gained eight yards to keep the drive alive, one that eventually reached the red zone. Later on backed up in the shadow of his own end zone, Levis scrambled 10 yards from the 1-yard line to move the chains. The 99-yard touchdown drive was all started with Levis’ legs.
“Quite honestly, I think Will was much more healthy this week and Will was able to move. We haven’t run Will all year because that toe has been a real problem,” Rich Scangarello said Saturday night.
“Tonight, this week, he felt better and we were able to run him and we were able to move the pocket and do some things which is so important to this offense and I think it helped him, bought him time and allowed those guys to get down the field and make some plays.”
RECORD SCRATCH
Will Levis has suffered many injuries that have slowed him down (that happens when you’re sacked 40 times), but that’s not why Rich Scangarello refused to run the quarterback until game No. 11 in the 2022 football season. The offensive coordinator said after UK’s first win that the QB-run game would not be a part of the offense this fall. Following RB Ramon Jefferson’s injury, Scangarello was asked on Sept. 6 if Levis will be used more in the running game to help the Chris Rodriguez-less Cats.
“I don’t want to get too much into scheme and all that stuff but I mean, obviously, it’s a fine line,” Scangarello said. “Will is an athletic quarterback. Honestly, the guy could run for 1,000 yards if we wanted him to, but I don’t want to break the man, you know.
“He’s too valuable and he’s a pro-style quarterback and he can do a lot of things. We’re going to be gentle with him, and that’s just not my background and what I want to do with a guy like Will.”
On3: “Rich Scangarello dismisses idea of using Will Levis in run game after running back injuries”
It was not in Liam Coen’s background either. After five games and a horrendous offensive outing against Florida, Coen relented. The following week QB-run was implemented into the offense, Levis ran it 11 times for 75 yards and two touchdowns in a 42-21 win over LSU. The QB-rushing success culminated with 113 rushing yards and four touchdowns by Levis in the season finale against Louisville.
It’s Not Too Late to Run Will Levis
Rushing QBs typically have a short shelf life in the NFL. This is not the NFL. In college football, forcing a defense to account for a QB in the running game can completely open up a congested football field.
“It was good just so keep them honest a little bit,” Mark Stoops said postgame.
The Georgia defensive line could not crash down to tackle Chris Rodriguez from behind. They had to honor Levis’ legs, something opponents have not been able to say all season long. That was a mistake. Unfortunately, there were only two opportunities to correct it. Thanks to an aggressive Louisville defense, Levis’ should have plenty of chances to make the Cards pay with his legs in his final game as a Wildcat.
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