Lagging Kentucky offense expects challenge from Ohio

Field Level Media|published: Tue 17th September, 12:37 2024

Kentucky’s Brock Vandagriff runs for a first down against Georgia’s Chaz Chambliss Saturday night. Sept. 14, 2024

The question will be obvious for Kentucky going into a home contest against Ohio on Saturday in Lexington.

How will the Wildcats respond to such a crushing defeat against the then-No. 1 team in the nation?

The Wildcats were oh-so-close to earning a victory over Georgia last weekend in what possibly would have been the biggest win in program history.

But following the 13-12 loss, Kentucky (1-2) has to pick up the pieces somehow and move on following consecutive Southeastern Conference losses at home. Kentucky lost in Week 2 to South Carolina.

The biggest issue for the Wildcats the past two weeks has been their offense.

Quarterback Brock Vandagriff is 29-for-55 passing for 313 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. All three TD passes came in the season-opening 31-0 win against Southern Mississippi.

Kentucky only managed 183 yards of total offense in a 31-6 loss to the Gamecocks on Sept. 7 and 284 against the Bulldogs.

The Wildcats didn't score a touchdown in either of those games, so coach Mark Stoops is headed back to the offensive drawing board.

Stoops said the challenge of doing so against Ohio's defense will be bigger than people realize.

"Defensively, they are very, very tough," Stoops said. "They play very hard and they mix things up front. They play both four-down and three-down. They make you earn every yard. It goes back to what I always say: it's about us. Just like last week, it's about us and our preparation and what we do to put ourselves in a position to win."

Ohio (2-1) arrives after back-to-back home wins over South Alabama and Morgan State, which followed a 38-22 season-opening loss at Syracuse.

The Bobcats have a potent rushing attack led by Anthony Tyus III, who rushed for 203 yards against Syracuse and already has 367 yards and four touchdowns on the season.

Ohio coach Tim Albin said running the ball will be tougher against a Kentucky defense that he praised.

"They're big everywhere and physical," Albin said. "Their defense, I don't see a weakness. We're going to have huge matchup problems."

--Field Level Media