Brad White wants scoring defense to improve in 2023

Under Mark Stoops, Kentucky football has developed into a powerhouse on the defensive side of the ball and arguably posted their best season of the century on that side of the ball last season, at least statistically. The Wildcats were among the leaders in the conference and the country in limiting total points scored against them and finished as a top-25 unit across the board when it came to defensive metrics.

During a sit-down interview with KSR’s Adam Luckett and Nick Roush, defensive coordinator Brad White explained that scoring defense is always the most important stat and it’s pretty easy to see why.

“It’s always gonna be that scoring defense. Like, that’s that’s where I hone in, because it doesn’t matter how many yards they have, doesn’t matter how good in any other stat. If they’re scoring points, they’re scoring points. If they’re not scoring points, that’s sort of the the object.”

A big reason for Kentucky’s superb scoring defense in 2022 was the leap the unit took on third down. Brad White revealed that getting stops on third was an emphasis this past season and paid dividends throughout the defense.

“So other than that, I try to look at areas that I think are significant that we weren’t great at, because just like anything, the things that you focus the most on, you tend to get the most return. Going into last year we had we had not been great on third down. Like statistically, we had made big stops when we needed to, but statistically, over the course of the season, we had been more in that eight, nine, even 10 range when it came to third down.

“So we really focused on being a really good third down defense last year and it paid dividends. We’re third in the conference and almost second in third down defense, which was the best since I’ve been here by far, even in comparison to the ’18 team. And it also made us the leader in first down defense, because if they don’t convert on third, they’re not getting more first downs, you know.”

Of course, forcing fourth downs and preventing scores is the easiest way play good defense.

“So it sort of works hand in hand and that helps with your scoring and that’s it. If you’re off the field and they don’t have opportunities to extend a drive, well then it’s going to help your scoring defense,” White added.