Hamdan Likes Two-Back Approach for UK Offense

One of the offense focuses for the Kentucky offense in the spring, summer and fall has been to run the ball more effectively. In Saturday’s win over Toledo, the Cats rushed 43 times for 220 yards, an average of 5.1 yards per carry.

Following Tuesday’s practice, UK offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan talked about what he saw on the tape from Saturday’s win. It was a pretty simple statement from the UK play caller.

“We were able to rush the ball extremely effective,” Hamdan said.

Running back Dante Dowdell rushed 14 times for 129 yards, including a 79-yard touchdown scamper late in the game. Dowdell was complimented by Seth McGowan, who had 18 carries for 78 yards. Hamdan likes that the Cats have two backs to carry the rushing load.

“I think, from a freshness standpoint, especially nowadays in ball, I think two guys feeding off of one another is critical,” he said. “Even, think of (Saturday’s) game, there were opportunities where Seth was out there for four, five, six plays. Then all of a sudden, Dante came in and was able to hit that big one and be fresh. I think, more than ever now, the ability to kind of play off of one another is critical. We’re fortunate to have both of those guys.”

Of course, any good running game starts with solid offensive line play. After watching the tape, Hamdan liked what he saw from the guys up front.

“Certainly the number one thing going into the game was we had to be a more physical team,” Hamdan said. “They had to feel our presence there and I think it showed up at all levels. We were able to run the ball well.”

Hamdan knows that, as the competition level steps up this week against a nationally-ranked Ole Miss team, the Cats must be able to run the ball effectively.

“For us, moving forward now, against an SEC opponent, that’s got to be in our DNA,” Hamdan said. “That’s got to be who we are and we’re excited to watch them play on Saturday.”

The effectiveness of the running game on Saturday was huge in a win over Toledo. Hamdan and the Cats know that they must continue to be able to run the ball and having a pair of backs and a solid offensive line should definitely aid in that process.