Kentucky pass rush shows growth, but Mark Stoops wants to see more

It’s hard to be nitpicky about a defense that finished No. 11 overall (311.4 yards allowed per game) and No. 13 in scoring (19.2 points allowed) in 2022. If there was an area of improvement for Kentucky, though, it was in the pass rush. The Wildcats finished with 20 sacks overall, good for No. 11 in the SEC, while recording a sack rate of 5.28% — No. 96 overall nationally.

“They’ve heard so much about havoc stats,” defensive coordinator Brad White joked after Kentucky’s 44-14 win over Ball State.

And to his unit’s credit, things were much improved on that front to open the regular season. Kentucky finished with eight tackles for loss, two sacks and one QB hit while allowing just two scores and 295 yards total, 1.8 yards per rush and 4.2 yards per play.

“They did a nice job controlling the line of scrimmage, and that was the goal. We wanted to impose our will, our physicality, and I thought for the most part they did,” White said.

Third-down numbers have to improve — the Wildcats allowed nine conversions on 17 attempts from the Cardinals. Their two touchdown drives were for 73 yards on 13 plays in 7:05 and 75 yards on 10 plays in 6:01. And they got down to the goal line on a third, that drive going 74 yards on 11 plays in 5:31, stopped on downs just short of the end zone.

White’s defense has traditionally been a bend-don’t-break style that gives yards to save points. It works, but still plenty to clean up after week one.

“I thought we had a chance to get off on some third downs and finish,” Mark Stoops said after the win. “… I’m in the moment and dwelling on the drives that they had and the third down conversions.”

White appreciates the goal-line stand after giving up the score early in a similar situation — “They took it to heart and we were able to keep them out,” he said. “Those are the improvements we’re talking about. They took that adjustment, even at the end of the long drive when they’re tired. That’s what it is, you’ve got to empty the tank.”

And Stoops feels the same way. Some individual moments of frustration, sure, but still plenty to like big-picture. Obviously a lot to build upon going into week two.

“There are certainly some good things. I appreciate our team because I think they want to be much better than this, and we want to continue to improve,” Stoops said. “… At times we felt like for a little stretch there where we were playing pretty good on both sides and they were disruptive. … I want to see guys finish. I want to see them finish plays, and I thought at times our D-line did. With those numbers, obviously they did.”

Trevin Wallace led the way with two TFL and 0.5 sacks, 12 tackles overall with six solo. Alex Afari Jr. and Kahlil Saunders added 1.5 TFL apiece, the latter with 1.5 sacks and four tackles. JJ Weaver, Keeshawn Silver and Jamarius Dinkins each added one TFL, Weaver credited with a sack.

Not a bad all-around effort for havoc opportunities.

“I didn’t realize it was that many,” Stoops added.

The Kentucky head coach would like to see the defense finish in the backfield a bit better, “other guys pressuring off the edge and some things where I thought we could have gotten some people down,” he said.

“We need to learn to make those plays.”

When you set a standard of perfection going into 2023, the frustrations are understandable. Even in a 30-point win, there is always something to work on.