Kentucky Football's goals vs. Ball State

The wait is almost over. The longest and most arduous offseason in all of college athletics finally ends on Saturday when Kentucky welcomes Ball State to Kroger Field. The Wildcats’ two-deep will feature multiple new faces, numbers, and names. That’s a good thing after Mark Stoops’ team suffered a disappointing 7-6 season in 2022. 

The return of offensive coordinator Liam Coen and the acquisition of quarterback Devin Leary have the Big Blue Nation buzzing with anticipation. Additionally, defensive coordinator Brad White will be calling plays. White’s presence alone gives the Wildcats a fighting chance in all twelve games. Let’s get into how Kentucky beats Ball State.  

OFFENSE 

I’m going to keep this simple. I have just one goal for the Cats vs. the Ball State defense: NO WARNING SIGNS. I’ll explain.  

Early games in 2022 offered multiple warning signs that the offense was going to struggle. Tackles for loss and quarterback sacks rapidly accumulated against inferior foes. The run game looked different. Yes, Chris Rodriguez Jr. was out, but Kentucky failed to force the issue on the ground. Third-down and Red Zone efficiency percentages also significantly decreased. I initially dismissed the offense’s early ineffectiveness to new players in new spots and a change in playcalling duties. Man, was I ever wrong or just in denial. That won’t happen again.

I should have trusted my eyes and gut. The Cats were simply not good offensively a year ago. A large factor in that result was upfront struggles. Wordy and complicated play calls did not help the cause. It was disturbing to see Kentucky struggle to move the chains and protect the quarterback. I was not accustomed to seeing the Big Blue Wall not dominate the line of scrimmage. Changes have been made and are well documented. It’s time to see results. Talking season is nearly over.  

Those same symptoms of the offense flu can’t surface on Saturday against Ball State. The Cardinals, like most MAC teams, are extremely well-coached. Defenders will be at the right place at the right time doing the right thing. Thus, the UK offensive line will need to have the proper “fits” in order to win the line of scrimmage. Ball State’s linebacker corps will test Kentucky’s blockers and game plan. That trio of tacklers has proven production and will be active in pre and post-snap movements. Sidney Houston Jr. and Cole Pearce are joined by Clayton Coll to construct a formidable second level that will be capable of creating havoc.  

Jeremy Flax is Kentucky’s week-one starter at right tackle. USC transfer Courtland Ford was brought in to lock down the spot, but the outcome was a return to Flax on the edge. I find this incredibly noteworthy. This also tells me one of two things. First, Flax has improved and is flourishing under Coen’s scheme. I hope that is the case. If so, I credit Flax for calming the storm. Second, perhaps Ford wasn’t the surefire starter that many had projected. He was a backup at USC. Regardless, Kentucky’s right tackle position as a whole requires vast improvement from a year ago.  

Adding intrigue to the situation is that two former Wildcat tackles who exited the program via the portal were just named starters at their new schools. Deondre Buford will make the start for Cincinnati and David Wohlabaugh Jr. earned first-team reps at Syracuse. While I’m happy for the former Cats, I will also monitor this throughout the fall.

DEFENSE 

Ball State is a MAC team. Thus, the transfer portal has significantly influenced their two-deep. Offensive starters have left and been replaced by incoming acquisitions. Prognosticating what we’ll see on Saturday is nearly an impossible task with so many moving parts. Quarterback Layne Hatcher can spin the football. The signal-caller has thrown for over 10,000 career yards and over 82 touchdowns. That’s a great deal of production from the well-traveled signal caller. Hatcher will test the Cats’ pass defense if given time in the pocket.  

Running back Marquez Cooper rushed for over 1,000 yards a year ago. The Kent State transfer should provide a ground compliment to Hatcher’s passing attack. The Cardinals also sport two tight ends who combined for 81 receptions and nearly 1,000 yards in 2022. Brady Hunt and Tanner Koziol could provide matchup issues for the Wildcats’ linebacker and safety groups over the middle of the field. However, I have only one goal for the UK defense.  

GET AFTER THE QUARTERBACK 

Kentucky recorded 20 quarterback sacks in 2022. That number ranked 11^th in the SEC. The Cats need to up that total in 2023. JJ Weaver is the team’s designated pass rusher. Weaver is up from 229 pounds to 250. Getting home and getting the opposing quarterback to the ground will be a priority for Weaver and his defensive mates on Saturday. Four QB sacks is the mark that I’ll set.  

Defensive tackle Deone Walker is a force on the inside. UK needs additional pass-rushing threats to surface in order to prevent opposing offensive coordinators from double-teaming Weaver and Walker. That production can come from the interior of the defensive line or from a linebacker. Making Hatcher uncomfortable will be critical.  

WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN?  

Kentucky should win the football game. My focus is on improvement along the offensive line. This especially applies to the right tackle position. Liam Coen’s return brings relief and excitement. The same can be said about Devin Leary and a host of new offensive additions to go along with receivers Dane Key and Barion Brown along with a loaded tight end room.  

Brad White’s defense will face a quarterback who’s thrown for 80+ touchdowns and 10,000 yards. Getting Layne Hatcher to the ground will be pivotal. Ball State’s offense could look familiar. The Cardinals deploy an NFL-like system that relies on multiple TE personal groupings. UK’s scheme, personnel, size, and speed should overcome any and all challenges by the visitors.  

Tackle football will be played on Kroger Field this Saturday. All is almost well in the world.