Kirby Smart shares what he’s expecting from Kentucky offense

Kentucky‘s offense struggled mightily against South Carolina in Week 2, setting up the Wildcats as four touchdown underdogs against No. 1 Georgia this weekend.

Ahead of their Week 3 matchup, Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart explained what it’s like to face a team with a brand new offensive coordinator. In Kentucky’s case, they’ve changed coordinators in each of the past five seasons. Being a former SEC East opponent, Georgia has had to face all five.

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“When you change coordinators, then you change offenses, right? I mean, there’s different tendencies and things like that, but their coordinators have been really successful,” Smart told reporters on Tuesday. “They’ve had good quarterback transfers. They’ve had guys come in there and play, and, you know, he’s had coordinators move on. He’s made some changes. But, you know, you prepare for the guys that’s there.

“When you look at history, too, we go back and watch games against them and things like that. But we’re preparing for the coordinator that’s there now.” 

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After pitching a 31-point shutout against Southern Miss in the season opener, UK mustered just 44 passing yards as both quarterbacks Brock Vandargriff and Gavin Wimsatt combined for 6 of 17 passing with an interception each. The running game would have been impressive if it weren’t for the Wildcats 11 penalties that negated much of those would-be yards.

Smart also spoke highly of Mark Stoops. Despite continuously having to replace his offensive coordinator, he’s been able to maintain strong recruiting class for Kentucky’s standards and brings his team ready to play a physical brand of football. Smart speaks to Kentucky’s toughness on an almost yearly basis at this point.

“We’ve had some really physical teams and the coaches haven’t lasted,” Smart said. “I mean, it’s not a guarantee. A lot of things that go into sustaining a good program, and Mark’s done an incredible job at a place which, you know, it’s tough at Kentucky. It’s got a great basketball program. They don’t have the recruiting base we have. He’s gone out and done it.”

While Stoops has recruited at an all-time high level for a Kentucky football coach, one thing that has evaded him during his 12-year tenure is a signature win against a high-ranked opponent. Stoops and the ‘Cats will have a chance to break that streak as they prepare for the top-ranked team in the country. Kickoff from inside Kroger Field is set for 7:30 p.m. ET live on ABC.