Eight times in 12 drives on Saturday, Kentucky’s offense reached Ohio territory. All the Wildcats had to show for it, however, was 20 points after a pair of touchdowns to start the game.The output was enough to send UK to a second straight win to open 2014, but it left Mark Stoops with a clear mandate for an area needing improvement in practice this week.”Obviously we need to finish better,” Stoops said. “We need to finish the games, finish the drives. We can’t be leaving points out there as we step up the competition here in the SEC.”The step up is happening right away. A week after UK passed a tougher test against Ohio, the Wildcats travel to Florida for a matchup with the Gators on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET.”We all know we’re in for a higher level of competition, and we’re excited about that,” Stoops said. “The players and coaches will be excited. We’ll see where we’re at this week.”Stoops is accustomed to being in road games against talented opponents — including multiple games at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium during his time with Florida State — but many of his players are not. Relying on so many first-time starters makes going to The Swamp a tall task.”Well, we have some inexperience, but it is what it is,” Stoops said. “It will be a real challenge. I think it’s a great venue, obviously one of the best venues in college football. You’ll probably hear me say that every road game in the SEC. But it’s a great place, a great atmosphere. Very passionate fan base. It will be a real challenge. It’s certainly not easy.”It will be a lot harder if the Cats don’t capitalize on every available opportunity, which is exactly what happened against Ohio.One particular stretch of four drives to close the first half and open the second is the perfect illustration. On each of those possessions, UK held the ball for at least eight plays. The Cats gained a total of 179 yards, but mustered only a pair of made field goals and two more misses, one of which came after they had a first and goal at the Ohio two-yard line.The good news is UK continues to create opportunities. Now it’s about making sure they yield points.”We’ve got to get it cleaned up,” Stoops said. “There’s no mystery, you can’t get first and goal on the two and get nothing. That we’ve got to get fixed and we will. We’ll work on that. We got to come away with some kind of points there.”Towles’ running-game role a balancing actPatrick Towles’ big arm and quicker release might have gotten the attention when he was named UK’s starting quarterback, but Stoops has always been quick to point out the sophomore’s fleet feet should not be overlooked.No one at Commonwealth Stadium on Saturday needed any such reminder. Towles piled up 59 rushing yards against Ohio on a combination of called keepers and scrambles.”I thought he made some good decisions,” Stoops said. “That helped us at times.”Take out the 34 yards he lost on five sacks and Towles carried 17 times for 93 yards. Impressive as that may be, Stoops knows it’s not sustainable given the physical nature of UK’s next opponent.”I don’t think we really want to be in the business of going into The Swamp and running him 22 times,” Stoops said. “I’m not sure that will be a good idea.”When there are opportunities, Stoops wants Towles to take them. However, Towles can’t abandon the pocket too soon when he’s under pressure as he was against the Bobcats.”Then maybe he’s got to learn to go through his progressions more as well,” Stoops said. “He did come off his progressions a few times a little early, which he had not done.”Injury updatesLate last week, Zach West sustained a “strange” neck injury that forced him to miss the Ohio game.As of Monday, there’s not much more clarity on his condition”He’s bothered by that,” Stoops said. “There’s some fluid around it. He will not be cleared to play until he gets full range and strength. They have no idea when that will be.”In West’s absence, redshirt freshman Cole Mosier stepped in and started at left guard. With the timetable on West’s return very much up in the air, Mosier is listed as the starter on this week’s depth chart as well. Also working to return from injury are running back Braylon Heard and wide receiver Javess Blue. Stoops said both are day-to-day, adding “I don’t feel great about Blue.” Also, wide receiver Jeff Badet (eye/leg) will not play at Florida.Phillips penciled in as backup QBUK’s plans at the quarterback position, after an offseason of heated competition, have crystallized.Towles, of course, is the starter, while Reese Phillips is the backup. Drew Barker will redshirt, if circumstances permit.”If something happened to where Patrick was going to be out for a long period of time, then we would address the situation,” Stoops said. “If we can redshirt Drew, that’s what we’re going to do.”Though the plan is for Barker not to play this season, the true freshman remains very much involved in the meeting room and in practice, where he spends occasional time as the scout-team quarterback.”Drew has been good,” Stoops said. “He’s still right in there with all the game planning. He’s been involved, engaged. He still gets some reps. It’s been good.”