Stoops Wants UK Offense to Maintain Physical Presence
For the past several seasons, the identity of the Kentucky offense has been very clear. The Cats have been a tough, physical, run-first attack that uses a talented offensive line to open up holes for running backs. This has not been a secret to anyone.
However, UK changed offensive coordinators following he 2020 season. New offensive boss Liam Coen brought his offense from the Los Angeles Rams to the Bluegrass and with it, a seemingly more pass-based offense.
While that may end up being the way the offense goes, UK head coach Mark Stoops never wants to stray too far from the thing that as made Kentucky successful over the past few seasons.
“We need to continue to improve our run game, kind of zero in on that,” Stoops said following UK’s scrimmage inside Kroger Field. “When you’re making improvements to certain areas, there’s going to be some give and take. But we never want to get away from that physicality. It always goes hand in hand. If you run the football well, then it’s going to set up play action.”
The UK head coach was generally pleased with his team’s week of practice, while still noting some areas that could use some polishing.
“We had a really solid week this week,” Stoops said. “With a new offensive system coming in, there’s a lot of broad strokes. I wanted to be narrowing down. Be better in situational work, the operation. The third downs, the two-minute situation.”
Fifth-year offensive lineman Luke Fortner has made the transition to center during the fall, a position he continues to learn on a daily basis. Fortner is feeling more comfortable in the middle of the offensive line.
“It feels really good,” Fortner said. “I have some great guards next to me and some great tackles, so that helps. I’ve watched Drake (Jackson) do it enough that I can take their experience and kind of mold it into my own style.”
The center position is not completely foreign to Fortner. He has taken a few snaps there during his career as well as a number of reps in practice.
“Coach Schlarman always had me taking snaps, just in case,” Fortner said. “I took a couple of reps against Murray (State) a few years ago, so it’s something I’ve dabbled with but this is definitely the most I’ve gotten in my career.”
As for his decision to come back for another year, Fortner is thrilled about how it is turning out.
“I’m so excited that I decided to come back,” Fortner said. “I never thought twice about it. Coach Stoops has an incredible program and I’m glad to be a part of it for another year.”
The Cats got a big boost just before the season when Dare Rosenthal transferred from LSU to UK. Since his arrival in Lexington, Rosenthal has taken control of the left tackle spot, allowing All-American Darian Kinnard to return to the right tackle position.
Fortner notes that there are similarities between Rosenthal and UK’s left tackle last season, Landon Young.
“I’d say they’re similar in their work ethic and their football experience,” Fortner said. “Dare would be a little longer than Landon (Young) but I think they’re pretty similar in experience and what they bring at left tackle.”
The Big Blue Wall has been a cornerstone of the UK offense for the past few seasons. Even though the offensive scheme may be changing this year, the importance of the guys up front will remain the same.
