Kentucky Offensive Playcalling Breakdown Through Week 3

I just don’t know what to make of this Kentucky offense. I’m not sure they are really that good of a unit right now. But unlike in previous years, they have been very explosive. Ray Davis, Barion Brown, and Dane Key could break a 50-yard touchdown at any moment. How much of that is because of the opponent too? It’s not been a murderer’s row of foes yet for Kentucky, and Vanderbilt might not pose much better this weekend. But now that we are in SEC play, a consistent production from the offense will have to improve.

Here is the breakdown of Kentucky’s playcalling tendencies against Akron, as well as the cumulative season stats:

1ST DOWN

Against Akron
Passing Plays: 6-11, 95 yards, 2 sacks
Running Plays: 10 rushes for 23 yards (1 bad snap)

Combined Season Stats
Passing Plays: 24-39, 325 yards, 2 TD, 3 sacks allowed
Running Plays: 32 rushes for 117 yards

Breakdown: Far too many negative plays on 1st down. You had the snap over the head, which cost UK 21 yards. You had 2 sacks. And you had an additional 2 rushes that went for negative yards. This offense, and most offenses for that matter, can not play behind the chains. So far this season Liam Coen has called 42 pass plays and 32 running plays on 1st down. And so far, that has been advantageous as UK has not developed a rushing attack at all.

2ND DOWN

Against Akron
Passing Plays: 5-9, 124 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 1 fumble lost
Running Plays: 8 rushes for 121 yards, 2 TD

Combined Season Stats
Passing Plays: 20-34, 339 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT (1 fumble)
Rushing Plays: 22 rushes for 265 yards, 4 TD

Breakdown: There is no stat that is more amazing than Kentucky’s offense being explosive on 2nd down-rushing plays. Over 11 yards per carry through 3 games and 4 touchdowns. The passing attack has been almost as lethal too. Just a hair under 10 yards per play and almost 17 yards per completion. I don’t know why these plays have been so much more effective than 1st and 3rd down, but so far 2nd down is where the fans should get excited.

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3RD DOWN AND LONG (6 Yards or More)

Against Akron
Passing Plays: 4-5, 89 yards, 2 TD (converted 2 of 5)
Running Plays: 1 rush for 8 yards, 1 QB scramble (converted 1 of 1)

Combined Season Stats
Passing Plays: 10-17, 157 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT (converted 6 of 17)
Rushing Plays: 3 rushes for 7 yards, 2 QB scrambles (converted 1 of 3)

Breakdown: Before the season I said if the UK offense could convert 33% of these situations, that would be acceptable. So far this year they sit at 35%. And against Akron, they knocked out 50% and scored 2 touchdowns. It’s still a bit concerning that 6 of the 8 3rd downs that UK faced were 3rd and longs, but hopefully, that doesn’t come back to bite them.

3RD DOWN AND SHORT (5 Yards or Less)

Against Akron
Passing Plays: 1-1, 7 yards (converted 1 of 1)
Running Plays: 1 rushes for 3 yards (converted 1 of 1)

Combined Season Stats
Passing Plays: 4-5, 34 yards (converted 4 of 5)
Rushing Plays: 3 rushes for 11 yards (converted 3 of 3)

Breakdown: This is now three weeks where the UK offense hasn’t really faced a key 3rd and short. But when they have faced the situation, they’ve been killer so far. 7 of 8 on the season. I say this every week but I have serious concerns about Kentucky needing to convert a 3rd and 2 against a key SEC opponent and not having the line or back to make that happen. Does Coen trust the line/backs to make that happen or will he throw in those situations?

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