Kentucky Offense Looking to Continue Improvement on Saturday

The Kentucky offense had its share of struggles early in the season. However, the Cats have found their rhythm over the last four games.

Twice in that span, the Cats have scored at least 30 points against Southeastern Conference opponents, most recently a 38-point effort in Saturday’s win over Florida. Following Tuesday’s practice, offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan spoke about his unit and their continued improvement.

“I really mean this, it has been about the process for a while now,” Hamdan said. “I think it just comes down to improvement and I think this offense, this team, there is something in us that’s all about improvement and have been even before we got a decent little run here.”

Hamdan pointed to a conversation with offensive analyst Kevin Barbay following the Cats’ loss at South Carolina as perhaps the turning point for this offense.

“I was fortunate to bring in Kevin Barbay, who has been a coordinator a lot of places and I do remember him sitting there after that game and us talking about what do we have to do, particularly after that game,” Hamdan said. “It’s been, philosophically what direction we have gone. What’s right is what’s working and so we try to stay focused on that and just continue to build on it.”

Hamdan pointed out being able to run the ball against Florida on Saturday as a key aspect of the offense’s performance.

“When you can run the ball, a lot of things just naturally start happening,” Hamdan said. “If you can run it, generally, you can get backers reacting, you get safties downhill, you have the opportunity for play action pass and creating those things.”

Hamdan also believes that his unit’s execution on third down has been crucial to their success.

“I’ve been proud of the third down operation,” Hamdan said. “That’s been critical as well. Us extending drives and the mixture of what we did on short yardage to third down, the ability to run the ball, efficient passing. I think that led to a successful day.”

This week, the Cats face FCS Tennessee Tech, a team that will come to Lexington undefeated. Hamdan has been impressed with the Golden Eagles’ defense on tape.

“There’s not a lot that’s not unique,” Hamdan said about the TTU defense. “There’s a ton of movement. These guys play extremely hard. They’re playing extremely confident. Every snap, the front seven is moving.”

The UK offense has found that rhythm it has been searching for all season. Now, another challenge awaits on Saturday in Tennessee Tech.