Mark Stoops shares impressions of Vanderbilt's passing game

Kentucky will open conference play this weekend with a road trip to the Music City to play Vanderbilt. If the Wildcats aren’t careful about the Commodore’s passing attack, though, Mark Stoops and company could end up with an encore of the outcome from a year ago that they won’t want to hear.

Stoops spoke about Vandy’s ability to throw the football during his press conference on Monday. From what he has seen from their game last year and into this season, he knows they have a quarterback in AJ Swann and several weapons around him that will make things happen if their defense isn’t on point.

“They’ve got some playmakers. (Will) Sheppard hurt us a year ago. And several of their guys – they can run,” said Stoops. “Like I said in the opening statement, they’re throwing for near 300 yards a game and can move it around.”

“I think the quarterback is making good decisions, they’ve always had good schemes. They have some playmakers where they’re not afraid to throw some one on ones. Whether you’re pressed or off, if you’re giving them free access, he likes to take it. He’s got the arm to deliver it,” Stoops noted. “If you press them and get on them, they have some wideouts that can make plays for them. So we’ve got to step up and make plays.”

Through four games, 72.1% of Vanderbilt’s offense has come through the air with 288.8 yards per game. 12 of their 16 overall touchdowns have come courtesy of Swann’s arm. Sheppard, their senior wide receiver, has caught half of those dozen.

Combine Sheppard’s production with Jayden McGowan and London Humphreys and that trio has 57 catches for 875 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.

In their win in Lexington last fall, Vanderbilt found success with an offense that was more ground-heavy. Ironically, RB Ray Davis, the former Commodore turned current Wildcat in the portal, led that effort with 129 rushing yards and a score on 26 carries. Still, QB Mike Wright connected with four receivers who all finished with over 13 yards per catch. That included Sheppard who caught five passes for 88 yards and the only reception touchdown of the contest.

In three games, Kentucky has only allowed two passing touchdowns and an average of 210.7 passing yards a game. Even so, this will be a step up in competition as far as an aerial attack goes that they’ll have to be ready for once they take the field in Nashville on Saturday morning.