Kentucky Defense Preparing for 'Skilled' Texas
The Kentucky defense faces a huge challenge this weekend, facing No. 3 Texas and its Heisman Trophy candidate, quarterback Quinn Ewers.
UK co-defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach Chris Collins spoke to the media following Wednesday’s UK practice. Collins believes that Ewers is directing one of the best offenses in the country.
“Quinn is a phenomenal quarterback. Does a great job in terms of understanding where he wants to go with the football,” Collins said. “And not only understanding where he wants to go with it because he has good players, but based off what the scheme of the defense gives him. They’ve got a plethora of receivers, from outside to inside, and tight ends and the backs do a great job in the passing game as well. We’ve got a challenge, and we’re excited.”
Collins admires the job that Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian has done in building his offensive unit and in how he coaches them.
“A very skilled, dynamic group. They are deep at a lot of positions,” Collins said. “Coach does a phenomenal job in terms of what they are attempting to do, stretching the ball down the field but also balancing with the run game, with the screen game. It will be a great challenge. Our guys are looking forward to it.”
The Kentucky staff has studied Texas and what they do well. The UK defensive brain trust will come up with a scheme that plays to the strengths of the Cats.
“We look at everybody that they have played in the past. Literally every game,” Collins said. “We go through and see things that we do that can carry over. It’s our job, as coaches, to figure out what our guys do well and put those guys in those situations as many times as possible, within what we do. We study other teams and what they’ve had success with. But at the end of the day, it’s about what we do and our guys going out there and executing at a high level.”
The Cats appear to be healthier this week than they have been in a while. Starters Deone Walker and J.J. Weaver should be back for Saturday’s contest. Defensive back Maxwell Hairston returned last week and fellow defensive back D.J. Waller is also expected to play against Texas. Collins likes how the depth chart is shaping up for this weekend.
“I’m excited about our roster, I always have been,” Collins said. “We’ve got young men that want to play the game and play it the right way, in terms of with their hair on fire. So any time they can be on the grass with us, we’re excited.”
The Cats are excited about the challenge to play a talented Texas team on Saturday.
