Jeremy Flax returns, Kenneth Horsey 'up in the air' vs. Akron

Kentucky‘s offensive line is in good shape ahead of the Wildcats’ week-three matchup vs. Akron — and close to full strength overall.

Zach Yenser‘s position group was down two key pieces in the team’s win over Eastern Kentucky, Kenneth Horsey dealing with a lower leg injury suffered in week one and Jeremy Flax unavailable for undisclosed reasons. Mark Stoops announced the latter was expected to return during his afternoon press conference on Monday, but didn’t address the former’s status.

During his call-in radio show Monday evening, though, he didn’t completely rule out Horsey against the Zips while confirming Flax is likely back. Either way, the unit is inching closer to full strength after a rocky start to the year health-wise — linemen Ben Christman and Nik Hall both suffered season-ending injuries before the opener.

“We should be at full strength this week on the offensive line — or close to it,” Stoops said. “Maybe down one. I think we will gain (Jeremy) Flax and we’re still up in the air with Kenneth Horsey. We will see about him. But at least one more body in the rotation will help.”

Close to full strength

Horsey (left guard) and Flax (right tackle) both started in week one alongside Marques Cox at left tackle, Jager Burton at center and Eli Cox at right guard. West Virginia transfer Dylan Ray replaced Horsey in the second half following the injury, then started against EKU. Southern Cal transfer Courtland Ford earned ten snaps against Ball State before starting in Flax’s place in week two. The two had been battling for the starting job throughout fall camp, Flax getting the nod to open the season, though Stoops said after week one they’re “both starters” and “interchangeable and playing well.”

How did Ford do in his place against the Colonels? He earned a team-high PFF grade of 85.2 in 59 total snaps.

“Courtland played really good,” Stoops said Monday. “I thought he did a good job.”

As a unit, Stoops believes the offensive line is slowly but surely finding its groove after a disappointing all-around campaign in 2022. It was a position group the Kentucky head coach stressed needed to improve.

Only allowing two sacks in two games to open the year, they’ve done just that.

“The front is doing good,” Stoops said. “Again, we got to continue to ID things clean. We were better but we weren’t perfect and so we need to continue as the competition continues to rise then we need to continue to improve.”