First Down Kentucky: Preparing for The Greatest Show on Turf

Lane Kiffin opened the week by complimenting the Kentucky defense. The Ole Miss coach described Kentucky as an “NFL defense” with exceptional size and length, particularly in the front seven.

When those comments were brought to the attention of Kentucky defensive coordinator Brad White following Wednesday’s practice, he shared a similar sentiment with the offense he’s facing this week.

“It feels like we’re going against the Super Bowl Rams, the Greatest Show on Turf.”

Is it a chess match he looks forward to as a defensive coordinator? “The ulcers would probably say no,” White quipped.

The Ole Miss offense is the best in college football for a reason. They have an experienced quarterback throwing to a ton of of weapons who are led by one of this era’s greatest play-callers

“He’s as good as an offensive mind in football, not just in college, but football in general in his ability to adapt offensive schemes to be effective is unique and rare and special,” said White. “It’s not just (hard on) the players. It’s hard on all of us.”

The Kentucky defensive coordinator added, “They got weapons all over the place. They got a big offensive line, a quarterback that’s playing at a really elite level. We know we gotta be at our best.”

Jaxson Dart’s Growth

The last time Kentucky faced off against Jaxson Dart, it was the quarterback’s first start against an SEC opponent. Two years later, he leads the nation in passing and ranks second in completion percentage.

“I remember him being a talented young player when we played him back in ’22. But right now, he’s a completely different sort of animal. You can see the confidence in which he’s playing. He knows exactly where he wants to go with the ball. He does a great job pre-snap understanding what he’s about to get. Understands when he wants to take that shot, and his deep-ball ball placement is high-level. He throws such an easy ball to catch,” said Brad White.

“I know the receivers must love playing with him and playing for him. When you have ball placement and touch, that’s a receiver’s best friend. You tag on his ability to run and be mobile, that’s an O-line’s best friend. I’m sure he’s got a lot of friends on that offense.”

Join KSR Plus! With a KSR Plus membership, you get access to bonus content and KSBoard, KSR’s message board, to chat with fellow Cats fans and get exclusive scoop.

Don’t Discount the Ole Miss Run Game

Ole Miss has 100 plays of 10+ yards, more than any other team in the nation. When you think of explosive plays, you think of long bombs through the air from Dart. Don’t sleep on Henry Parrish. The running back has 17 10+ yard runs (t-3rd nationally), keeping the Rebels ahead of the chains and opposing defenses off-balance.

“People have sort of overlooked at how good he is,” said the Kentucky defensive coordinator. “He is playing at a high level in terms of getting downhill and making people miss on the second and third level. You can’t diminish how good they are in the run and how much they can pop a big run on you in a hurry.”

Kentucky Relishes Opportunity

One could run and hide from this daunting task. Kentucky DB Zion Childress is excited to take a swing at the best. He showed that in the Georgia game, tallying five tackles in the first seven plays.

“Those opportunities, you come across ’em like a handful of times. Being my last year in college football, I just want to leave everything I got on the field week in and week out. I want to leave no plays left on the field. Everything that’s supposed to come from me, be from me, I want it, I need it,” he said.

Childress appreciates these opportunities even more after starting his career in the Sun Belt. “I think about it all the time. I’m just really grateful to be here, really happy to be here. I’m here now, just gotta be able to rise to the occasion and play ball at the highest level.”

Pregame Meal Doesn’t Change for Brock Vandagriff

The early kickoff changes the routine for the Kentucky football team. Early to bed, early to rise. Brock Vandagriff doesn’t change his pregame routine too much. It’s just starting earlier.

“It’s different ya know, eating steak and stuff at 7 in the morning… I’m a lunch guy. I always eat my lunch for pregame meal. It doesn’t matter what time it is, I’m a lunch guy,” said the Kentucky quarterback.

Subscribe to the KSR YouTube Channel for press conferences, interviews, original shows, fan features, and exclusive content.