Kentucky issues statement, hammers LSU to remain undefeated

Can you taste that? Victory sure tastes like sugar following Kentucky’s dominant 42-21 home win over LSU.

The offense started hot and never took their foot off the gas while the defense made the key stops when the Wildcats had to have them. Mark Stoops’ ninth team in Lexington is now 6-0 and 4-0 in SEC play. Next up is one of the biggest games in program history.

Before we get to that titanic clash with Kirby Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs, it’s time to digest what just happened at Kroger Field. KSR has the takeaways from the most impressive win of the season.

Kentucky established the run

Heading into Saturday night, one of the biggest on-paper advantages for Kentucky was in the ground game. The Wildcats again have one of the better rushing attacks in college football, and the Tigers struggle to stop the run against Power Five competition.

In three previous Power Five games, LSU’s defense was allowing a 59.09 percent success rate. That held true against Kentucky.

In 42 non-sack rush attempts, the Wildcats collected 336 yards averaging eight yards per attempt with a success rate of 66.67 percent. That is getting the job done.

Chris Rodriguez Jr. again led the way with 147 yards on 16 rushes, but Will Levis (81 yards) and Kavosiey Smoke (104 yards) also chipped in with big days.

When an offense runs for over 300 yards, produces 13 rushes of 10-plus yards, and allows just two non-sack tackles for loss, it is going to be very difficult to lose.

Turnover battle is finally won

Heading into Week 6, Kentucky was 0-4-1 in the turnover margin. Splitting it last week with Florida was a big reason why Kentucky pulled off the upset. Against LSU, the Wildcats finally won the takeaway battle.

Liam Coen’s offense had tremendous ball security throughout the game, and Will Levis mostly kept his passes out of harm’s way with just one pass breakup recorded by LSU. Meanwhile, DeAndre Square’s strip-sack on the first possession of the game got the party started.

.@d_square10 forced it, @josaihhayes recovered it! #ForTheTeam | 📺 – @SECNetwork – https://t.co/6abWyURPxu pic.twitter.com/ahOG2EZ2VE

— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) October 9, 2021

Nine plays later, Kentucky punched it in for six and never trailed. Kentucky has a team that could be scary if the takeaways start going the other way.

Liam Coen was in his bag

The last two weeks were rough for first-year offensive coordinator Liam Coen. Kentucky struggled to finish drives with points and really labored against Florida. The 35-year-old play-caller went back to the drawing board heading to Week 6.

Coen and the Wildcats found some answers.

For the first time this season, Kentucky used a good amount of outside zone and it resulted in some big gains. The Wildcats went with some zone reads with quarterback Will Levis and got the ball to Isaiah Epps and Justin Rigg early on explosive completions to loosen up the coverage on Wan’Dale Robinson. And finally, Kentucky connected on the wheel route.

It's clicking tonight in Kroger Field. It's a party! Play @WakaFlocka 🎶

📺 – @SECNetwork – https://t.co/6abWyURPxu | #ForTheTeam 😼🏈 pic.twitter.com/V8uD4E8sBC

— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) October 10, 2021

Out of the half, Kentucky put together two demoralizing scoring drives as the Wildcats held the ball for nearly 10 minutes. Kentucky averaged just under eight yards per play for the game and posted a 58.82 percent passing success rate to go along with the monster rushing numbers.

The Wildcats put together their best offensive performance of the season, and Coen unleashed a great game plan.

Kentucky rush defense shows cracks

Heading into the half, Kentucky held LSU scoreless as the Tigers were putting up just 3.53 yards per play. After an opening drive touchdown, the home team took a commanding 21-0 and looked in full control.

However, some lapses occurred in the second 30 minutes.

LSU’s young passing game made some ridiculous individual plays, but the story was the run defense. Tyrion Davis-Price entered the game with a 31.11 percent rushing success rate as this offense was one of the worst rushing attacks in college football.

It did not look that way against a Kentucky defense that was a week removed from handling a potent Florida attack.

Davis-Price finished with a 75 percent rushing success rate on 20 attempts as the Tigers had their best ground game of the season. Kentucky allowed 175 non-sack rushing yards on 31 attempts as the defense got leaky in the second half.

Holding a big lead, the Wildcats were worried about the pass but there are likely some issues that will need to be fixed in practice this week.

Fourth down defense delivers

Kentucky’s defense entered the game against LSU as one of the best fourth-down defenses in college football. Opposing offenses were just 1 of 6 on fourth down attempts as the Wildcats get off the field at the most important times.

That held up against LSU.

The Tigers were just 1 of 5 on fourth down and saw three drives in Kentucky’s territory end with a turnover on downs. That is important to remember moving forward.

Kentucky’s third-down defense does show some cracks, but Brad White’s unit gets off the field in the most important situations.