That’s right, on the road in the SEC against one of those talent laden and upper tier “Super Six” teams with a roster full of 4 and 5-star recruits. They done it in front of a festive and loud sellout crowd of 86,217 that appeared to dwindle down three to four thousand every time the UK defense had a three and out, which was several times in the second half until finally on Auburn’s last possession. Most War Eagle faithful had left their home nest called Jordan-Haire Stadium except for fifteen to twenty thousand who remained only to serenade the inept Auburn offense with a cascade of boos.
Rich Brooks did it without his starting quarterback, Mike Hartline, who had separated himself from no. 2 and no. 3 impressively lately. He did it without arguably his best defensive player in Trevard Lindley. He did it without two injured offensive lineman, and finally he did it in spite of that group of Brooks bashers that raise their ugly head occasionally, you know who I’m talking about. You may even be one of them.
The fellowship of the miserable.
How did Brooks and his players do it?
It was as Brooks said in his post game remarks, “The ultimate team effort.”
The legs and athleticism of Randall Cobb and Derrick Locke lead the charge offensively behind a solid offensive line while linebackers Sam Maxwell, Micah Johnson, and Danny Trevathan held the highly ranked Auburn offense at bay for most of the evening. Let’s not forget the punting skills of Ryan Tydlacka either. His execution of the punting game was key in the field position department, especially in the second half.
All those feats were remarkable considering many past failures on the road, but the real reason UK overcame their only mistake (a 1st quarter blocked field goal that turned into an Auburn TD) and finished the night in celebration was simple: no penalties, no fumbles, and no interceptions.
Did you ever think you would see those three stats after any UK football game, let alone one on the road in the SEC? This is what Joker Phillips was referring to when he told several media members in the locker room after the game, “When we play clean we’re a pretty good football team guys.”
It’s quite possible that If this team can get completely healthy by mid November, don’t be surprised if they give another longtime SEC foe a surprise down between the hedges. But that’s the old iff’n game as Jerry Claiborne used to say.
Next three weeks crucial for post season scenario
Now, UK has put itself in position at the midway point of the season to make a serious run at another bowl bid for the 4th consecutive year. It won’t be easy because as we all thought the Cats have been beaten up pretty bad physically due to the last four games against several of college football’s elite teams.
On paper, it may seem trivial, but 3-3 at this point is light years better than 2-4 for a Kentucky team.
Hopefully, the comfort of playing in Commonwealth Stadium the next three weeks with more familiar surroundings will enhance the young Morgan Newton’s passing skills to where he can execute at least a short passing game. If not Newton maybe Fidler, but somebody has to step up at the quarterback position in the passing game because the run game has progressed to the point that it will face a steady diet of 7 to 9 man fronts every down, and that will be hard to execute a running game against.
UL Monroe and Mississippi State are up next on the schedule and neither will lay down and roll over at the site of a UK football jersey. The Cats will have to bring their A game intensity in order to run the table during this home stand. It says here they will, but it won’t be as easy nor as impressive if they had all their bullets.
It’s an overused cliche in sports but fits UK’s present situation best: stay focused one game and one game plan at a time for the rest of the season for the players, but it could end in Brooks’ best season yet.
Calipari Sets The Tone At BBM
John Calipari’s record as a college basketball coach is a testament to his highly regarded status among the sports elite coaching fraternity. But after witnessing last Friday’s state of the Commonwealth speech to Wildcat Nation I’m quite sure the man has a future in politics in this state if he chooses to do so after his coaching career is over. The man flat knows how to work a crowd. Maybe even better than another famous Italian coach we all knew a few years ago, and he was darn good at it for nine years.
The only difference is that Calipari seems to have the down home approach with less con artist skills in his talks. He seems to embrace the Wildcat tradition and looks forward to adding his legacy to it.
Bottom line is he has the fanbase at a fever pitch before a point has been put on the Rupp Arena scoreboard.
Just don’t buy all this talk about the Dribble Drive Offense, because if you’ve paid any attention to several of his latest press conferences he has already laid the groundwork to take whatever direction is needed to put points on the board. I like that attitude.
It’s refreshing when a coach will admit that what he’s done in past years may not be the niche for this particular team. It appears his ego is strong but can be checked at the door of the Joe Craft Center if need be.
I still see this team’s biggest and possibly only weakness as being short on perimeter shooters, but Calipari has more than proven that he can win at a high level without three point shooters. Expect Rupp Arena to be lined with cards of B & N for blocks and dunks instead of 3’s when Wildcat players perform this year.
Go online to www.combsbrothersonkysports.com for more coverage of UK football and basketball as well as KHSAA football and basketball.
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