Kentucky Defense Looks to Bounce Back Against Florida

Kentucky held Vanderbilt to just 20 points last week, one week after the Commodores hung 40 points on top-ranked Alabama. But UK defensive coordinator Brad White did not think his unit played its best against Vandy.

“We, as a defense, felt that was probably our worst performance of the year,” White said. “There were situations that we definitely should have handled better as coaches and players. Execution in critical moments needs to happen. We had an opportunity on the first drive when we get them backed up and pinned to get off the field multiple times. Then we got them in the red zone, we had an opportunity to force a big sack, then who knows what’s going to happen.”

White was hoping that the Vandy game might turn out like UK’s win at Ole Miss, where the Cats gave up points on the first drive, then played very well.

“Then, we sort of settle in and you think it’s like Ole Miss,” White said. “Then you get to the two-minute drive and we start with a mental error that should have resulted in zero yards or potentially negative if we execute. We don’t. They get the drive started, then we have an offsides penalty and they get going. If we could execute and force a field goal, it’s 10-7 at the half. Those are situations we have to do better at. We just didn’t play our best game in terms of execution. It seemed like every play, someone was raising their hand and saying my bad. When you do that, and you only have 55 plays, we’ve got to get that tightened up.”

Kentucky faces yet another challenge in the Southeastern Conference this week, visiting Florida in the Swamp. The Gators’ starting quarterback, Graham Mertz, was injured last week against Tennessee, meaning that Florida will start freshman DJ Lagway this week. White knows what kind of challenges Lagway presents.

“Obviously, both quarterbacks have played. There’s been enough split snaps to know that DJ is very comfortable playing and playing in big environments,” White said. “The system is similar, no matter who the quarterback was in the game. Obviously, you understand the skillset he brings, really elite level arm talent, mobile. He looks comfortable and efficient in the system. Big challenge for us.”

White has seen his unit respond in practice this week, but he knows that only matters if the Cats can carry it over into Saturday’s game.

“There’s been a good response but we need to continue that response,” White said. “Going into a hostile environment on the road, we really need to lock arms and play well.”

The Cats’ defense will look to bounce back from what White considers its worst outing of the year against Vanderbilt. Facing a talented Florida team, Kentucky will be challenged again this Saturday in Gainesville.