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Five Takeaways from Blue-White Spring Game

Five Takeaways from Blue-White Spring Game

by Tim Letcher

The Blue team (offense) topped the White team (defense) 32-0 in Kentucky’s Blue-White Game on Saturday at Kroger Field. Here are five takeaways from Saturday’s scrimmage.

1. Offense in sync – With the change from Liam Coen to Rich Scangarello at offensive coordinator, some wondered if the Kentucky offense might need some time to adjust. If Saturday’s game is any indication, the transition was seamless. The Cats racked up 416 yards on 71 plays (5.9 yards per play). That included 282 yards through the air and 134 on the ground.

2. Will Levis lives up to hype – Much has been made about the UK starting quarterback in the offseason. The talk about being a first-round draft choice in the NFL Draft, as well as taking the UK offense to a new level has been predominant. If Saturday’s game is any indication, Levis is up to the challenge. He connected on seven of eight through the air for 98 yards and a pair of touchdowns in limited action. It was a very solid showing for the senior.

3. Wide receivers make big impression – Among the targets that Levis, and the other UK quarterbacks, found were some talented wideouts. Rahsaan Lewis caught three passes for 54 yards, while Tayvion Robinson, the Virginia Tech transfer, also had three receptions, his for 42 yards. Freshman Dane Key had a pair of nice catches, including a juggling 22-yarder that went for a score, while 14 players altogether caught passes on Saturday.

4. Jordan Lovett ready to step in – Kentucky lost a number of key defensive backs from last season’s team, including Davonte Robinson, Cedrick Dort Jr., Quandre Mosely and Yusuf Corker. Head coach Mark Stoops and defensive coordinator Brad White will need some new players to step up and Lovett, the North Hardin product, certainly did that on Saturday. He led everyone with nine tackles, while also breaking up two passes, forcing one fumble and recording one quarterback hurry.

5. Depth at running back – Everyone knows Chris Rodriguez Jr. will be a stalwart in the UK backfield, as he has been his entire career. But on Saturday, the Cats showed off depth behind C-Rod. Kavosiey Smoke carried 10 times for 54 yards. Mike Drennen II rushed 10 times for 43 yards and two touchdowns, while JuTahn McClain had six rushes for 24 yards. For a team that has built its identity on running the football during the Stoops Era, this bodes well.

 

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