Cats Working on Themselves, But Also Turning Focus to Toledo

With the season opener just over a week away, the Kentucky football team has begun to incorporate preparation for Toledo into its practices. However, according to defensive coordinator Brad White, the Cats need to focus on the Rockets, but also on themselves.

“I think our guys, right now, they’ve got a mentality and a chip on their shoulder that they understand that they’ve got to get the taste out of how last year finished, out of their mouth,” White said. “And that’s the focus. Obviously, Toledo as a team is a focus but we’ve got to handle our business and our responsibility.”

White knows that the Cats need to take on a different identity and attitude to improve on last season’s 4-8 mark.

“Whatever team is across from us, it doesn’t matter which one, it’s got to be about us and being disciplined, we’ve got to be physical, we’ve got to be tough,” White said. “And not just physically tough, we’ve got to be mentally tough.”

However, with the season opener coming in just nine days, the Cats have also turned much of their focus on a Toledo team that’s picked to be among the best teams in the Mid-American Conference.

“The primary shift now, obviously, is Toledo,” White said. “That’s where the eyes are focused. We know the big challenge that’s coming in, really talented offense, experienced quarterback, really talented wide out, two running backs that can really get it done, an O-line that’s got experience coming back plus adding some players.”

The Kentucky defense is very familiar with one of those running backs that White mentioned. Chip Trayanum played in three games for the Cats last season, rushing 19 times for 101 yards. White saw Trayanum up close and personal in practice and knows how talented and explosive he can be.

“We know how talented Chip is and we know that he touches the ball and gets some space, that he can take it to the house,” White said. “He’s big, he runs behind his pads, he’s physical in that regard.”

White was asked if there is any fear of Kentucky overlooking Toledo, and he said that there is not, nor should there be.

“When you put the football down, it doesn’t matter who you play. In this day and age where talent can move around and shift around, there’s a lot of talented players on every team,” White said. “You better bring your ‘A’ game each and every week or you’re going to get humbled really fast.”

The Cats are focusing on themselves but also turning their attention to a talented Toledo team that comes to Kroger Field on August 30.