By Larry Vaught
(LEXINGTON, Ky.)-Kentucky’s offensive woes continued in last week’s 35-14 loss at Georgia and the question now is whether anything can be done to fix the problems during UK’s second bye week before the Cats host Texas and then Tennessee.
“Kentucky’s margin of error is so small in a game like this (against Georgia). They can’t turn the ball over, miss field goals and have penalties,” ABC-TV analyst Jesse Palmer said about UK during its 16th straight loss to the Bulldogs.
That dropped UK’s record to 2-3 and 0-3 in Southeastern Conference play and put the Cats in danger of missing a bowl game for the second straight season after going to eight straight bowl games.
“I think for Kentucky if they are going to have any shot at going to a bowl game they have to discover some playmakers throwing the football,” Palmer said. “They are going to have to get more aggressive and just be willing to take those shots outside.”
Palmer said it didn’t matter who was playing quarterback for Kentucky that a playmaker or playmakers had to emerge who could make plays on the outside and downfield in the passing game.
“One of the problems for Kentucky is that they just have not been hitting on portal quarterbacks. Guys are coming in and only giving you a year and when you are not having that continuity and consistency it sets this offense back,” Palmer said.
“Another problem for Kentucky is not just at quarterback but with the lack of consistency with play callers (offensive coordinators). If you don’t have continuity with scheme and no continuity at quarterback it’s hard to create any rhythm.”
Palmer said he “felt sorry” for UK coach Mark Stoops because he had current Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen as his offensive coordinator but both times he left UK for the NFL after one season.
“Part of your job (as head coach) is not just recruiting but you have to hire your staff and he (Stoops) has had to do a lot of work each year,” Palmer said.
Kentucky is now 1-10 in SEC play the last two seasons.
(Vicky Graff Photo)