More good news for UT’s offense is that Kentucky has also struggled against the pass – ranking 12th in the SEC in that category (232.3 ypg).
Advertisement
“We were definitely disappointed”, Kentucky senior linebacker Josh Forrest said. “We should have played better”.
Kentucky freshman defensive tackle Corey Johnson agreed the setback to Mississippi State was disappointing, but said the Wildcats aren’t looking back going into the Halloween showdown against the Volunteers.
“You can’t dwell on the past”, he said.
“There’s a lot, and it takes time, and Justin is making progress”. “We’re ready to move on”. “There’s a lot more that they want to prove to the Kyler Kerbysons, the Mack Crowders”. “We improved in certain areas …” “It’s kind of amusing because sometimes the cornerback will look at me thinking, ‘What is going on?’ Like I have always said, anything I can do to make the team win”. The bigger, better version of Hurd should have every opportunity to do that and more again this season. The Vols lead the all-time series 77-24-9, and have dominated the last 50 years, losing just five times to United Kingdom since 1965.
With Tennessee at 3-4 and Kentucky at 4-3, the SEC East, somehow, is alive for both teams. Kentucky (3-4) was supposed to be rising, and now it can take a big step forward to bowl eligibility and come up with a huge victory to build on. Tennessee racked up 132 yards in a 19-14 loss to No. 5 Alabama last week. “It’s got to improve”. We’ve got to focus on the task at hand, and that’s the most important. But Dobbs has a better cast of running backs around him than Mississippi State.
Behind the scenes, Eiliot said the Wildcats have recovered nicely from the poor outing in Starkville.
Despite Medley’s sophomore slump, Jones has hinted this week that his kicker’s job is not in immediate danger, pointing out that most of Medley’s misses have been from long distance. “They’ve had a good attitude all week”.
Tennessee’s injuries and inconsistencies at the wide receiver position have been well-documented, but even a performance like the pass-catchers had at Alabama (13 catches, 171 yards) would do enough to keep Kentucky honest and let the Vols make their living on the ground. Last season, Kentucky opened with a 5-1 record, but closed with six consecutive losses to end the campaign at 5-7.
Stoops said the session wasn’t because of “any real big issue”.
“It’s helped tremendously”, Hurd said of his offseason weight gain. Is it important to me? Yes. If they lose, then the pressure is on with road games against Georgia and Vanderbilt – don’t blow this off, the Commodores can play a few D – before closing with Charlotte and Louisville.
Advertisement
Kentucky will play seven home games and five away contests next season. This still will be a steep hill for South Carolina to climb.
