Kentucky Offense Uses Bye Week Wisely
When the Kentucky offense was last seen, the Cats were facing the nation’s best defense. However, the Cats closed the game with a scoring drive, one that produced a touchdown, in what ended up being UK’s first loss of the season.
Last week was Kentucky’s lone bye week this season. Offensive coordinator Liam Coen used the week to do multiple things with his unit.
“I think last week, we took an approach, Coach Stoops did such a great job of getting our guys into a mindset of getting better through the bye, not just getting through the bye,” Coen said. “I do believe we took some steps forward in some areas we needed to improve. We focused on some areas in terms of red zone, some personnel things, we worked on some situational football.”
Coen was also able to do some evaluation on what his team has done well so far through seven games.
“I think in terms of being able to run the football with some variety,” Coen said. “Having some variety in the run game and trying to match that up with some of the things we’re doing in the action game. LSU was probably the best look at that, as far as the marriage of what we’re trying to get accomplished.”
He also likes what he’s getting from his signal caller and backfield.
“The production out of the quarterback the last few weeks is something that we definitely look forward to,” Coen said. “And our backs are playing at a high level.”
But there are always areas where the team can improve. Coen was quick to point out a couple of those.
“Things we need to improve on – guys stepping up and making plays on the outside, other than one,” Coen said. “We need guys to step up and make plays. Some guys did step up last week, in some instances, but it needs to be a little bit more consistent so Will (Levis) has trust in those guys.”
Having not played in 10 days, the Cats are starting to get a little antsy about moving on to the next team on the schedule.
“I felt it a little today. You can feel it a little bit that they’re starting to itch to get on to another opponent,” Coen said. “It will be an unbelievable atmosphere, which is great.”
Center Luke Fortner and Stoops both spoke to the team about having a different attitude than they hae in the past heading to Starkville. Coen thinks that message is crucial to the team.
“It is very important for our guys to go down there with a true mentality,” Coen said. “It is another game, but, historically speaking, we have not played well down there, from what I’m understanding. I know it’s a tough place to play. All of those things matter and they’re involved. But I think Luke and Coach Stoops did a great job of sending a message that we do need to lock in just a little bit more this week because of this element because of the atmosphere we’re going to play in.”
As they head into the season’s final five regular season games, the Cats’ offense hopes to be able to continue to do what they have done well all season while continuing to evolve in the areas that need improvement.
