3rd-down defense nearly cost Kentucky in Columbia; Will Stein knows it must improve
Kentucky has another big test vs. a dual-threat QB this week in Sam Leavitt.
In a game that saw Kentucky back in the top 25, the Cats found themselves in a precarious position during their matchup against South Carolina. The Gamecocks had recently suffered losses to Alabama and Mississippi State, and it appeared their troubles would continue in Columbia. Kentucky took an early lead, but the momentum shifted as the Gamecocks scored 24 of the last 27 points, including a 74-yard touchdown run by LaNorris Sellers, who broke free for 75 yards down the Kentucky two-yard line.
With the lead now in South Carolina's favor, the Cats capitalized on another 3rd-down opportunity to regain the lead themselves. The Cats' defense struggled to stem the tide, as they only converted 8 of 16 third-down attempts that day. Though the Cats eventually forced overtime, it was a stark reminder of the importance of stopping opponents on 3rd down.
Kentucky's defensive coordinator, Will Stein, acknowledged the need for improvement in this area. "Sam Leavitt can run. John Mateer. They can all run," he declared, emphasizing the threat posed by South Carolina's dual-threat quarterbacks. The Cats' defense must bolster their ability to stop these scrambles if they are to maintain their winning record in the SEC.
The upcoming game against LSU, featuring another dynamic runner in Sam Leavitt, will serve as a crucial test for the Cats' defense in executing this crucial aspect of their game plan.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
