Why I Think I'll Enjoy This Season

everyone on this website keeps making a poor case of how UL lost to a “bad” UK team. Are you kidding me? I’ve never seen a fan base who will not give the other team any credit. Did you not see our defense keep you out of the end zone the whole 3rd qtr? With the field position you guys had on the fumble/INT, you probably would have scored TDs both times on a lot of other defenses. Our defense was basically out on the field the whole 3rd qtr and all UL had to show for it was 6 points. But instead of giving UK any credit for that, you blame Kragthrope. I’m sorry but Kragthorpe wasn’t 100% percent responsible for UL losing that game. In my opinion he coached a great game and his play calling was 10 times better than Joker Phillips. At least Kragthorpe has the balls to throw the ball down the field and let his receivers make play.

here comes the name calling…

First of all this has nothing to do with wins or losses. Personally, I believe both UK and UL has a chance to win 6-8 games barring injuries (If Scott Long had not gotten hurt last year UL would have went bowling). Basically Joker Phillips called a terrible game offensively, and that helped UL stay in the game. If we had run the Wildcat more than once I believe this game would have been won by a higher margin. But UL fans want to trash UK and Kragthorpe because this game was close and UL lost. How about giving your team some credit?

I’m not sure what blog you have been on, but everything I read after the game basically was to the tune of “this UK team is bad” and “Kragthorpe screwed us”. I actually think both teams aren’t too shabby. The UK defense and the UL offense both played extremely well this game. There was bad play calling, time mgmt etc. on BOTH sides.

I want to start by saying that I was more than pleasantly surprised by the performance on Saturday. The team I watched play Kentucky was not the same team I watched play Indiana State, the team I watched most of last season, or the team I’ve watched since Steve Kragthorpe took over this program. The running backs and receivers played like we thought they could, for the most part, the offensive line protected well, and the defensive backs and linebackers played better than expected.

I also thought Justin Burke was a completely different player than the unproven transfer from NC State that started against ISU. On Saturday, he looked like a quarterback who belonged on the field, knew what he was doing, and was going to do anything in his power to ensure that Louisville won that game. I’ve been very critical of our quarterback play since Brohm left and never was a rider on the Hunter Cantwell bandwagon. After what I saw on Saturday, I now feel as though we have a leader capable of taking control of the offense, if not the entire team, and putting them in a position to do well.

This team played with a fire and passion that I haven’t seen out of our program in a long time. That being said, I think there is cause for great concern.

Concern number one deals with that very same passion. Can the players and coaches fuel their emotional and competitive fire against other teams in games that don’t mean as much personally? When they go to Utah next week or Cincinnati later this season or get Pitt at home in a couple weeks, can they remain as fired up and emotional when they’re not playing an in-state rival that has beaten them the past two years? I certainly hope so, but I must honestly say I’m not convinced yet.

Next, we’re going to struggle mightily the rest of this season if the defensive line can’t get pressure on the quarterback. They barely got to a 13th grade quarterback in the season opener and ensured that Mike Hartline’s mom wouldn’t have to use any Clorox bleach to clean his jersey.

Special teams was also a major cause for concern. First, the offsides on the kickoff. Next, the ensuing re-kick in which no one came within a trip from here to Lexington of tackling Derrick Locke. A missed 26 yard field goal…unacceptable. Finally, a muffed punt that no one in red pants should have been within ten yards of. Not to mention the kick coverage on all non-TD returns was pretty bad also.

Failure to capitalize on opportunities was especially troubling. Three points off of three turnovers can’t happen. You have to cash in when the other team gives the ball up.

Finally and maybe most important was the coaching. I’ll preface this by saying that I was more impressed with Kragthorpe’s coaching than I ever have been and was equally as impressed by his post-game fire. That being said, I thought he made a number of mistakes. First and foremost play-calling. Fourth and one and you run an option to the short side of the field with your backup running back while the starter who has been gashing the defense for as many yards as he wanted sits on the bench? WTF??? I don’t disagree with the decision to go for it, but I can’t help but second guess the choice of plays. Second, the trouble getting the play into the offense. Time-outs should not have to be taken to make sure the offense can get the play, especially three times.

I know I’ve drug on so long, most have stopped reading this so I’ll wrap it up. While this post may sound extremely negative, I’d just like to clarify that I came away from this game with a renewed sense of vigor and confidence in this team and POTENTIALLY this coach. I had ALMOST made up my mind about him after the last two years, but I’m now willing to give him a little more time to prove this progress can continue (note: additional time not to exceed the end of this season). I just hope they didn’t blow their proverbial load on this one rivalry game.

GO CARDS!!!