Kentucky Secondary Challenged to Limit Florida Explosive Pass Plays

Kentucky was down two cornerbacks playing the best passing offense in the country. The defense answered the call and contained the Ole Miss offense. The secondary is getting healthier, but defensive coordinator Brad White is demanding more.

“Last week was not our best. We gotta play better. I believe in their response,” White said earlier this week.

“Our focus as a team, as a defense, wasn’t where it needed to be last week,” said JQ Hardaway. “This week we really prioritizing and focusing on the small things.”

Hardaway played the best game of his career against Ole Miss, tallying 11 tackles and a forced fumble while covering All-SEC wide receiver Tre Harris. He was not as productive against Vanderbilt, but the lengthy cornerback stepped up in the fourth quarter and swatted a pass to the dirt to give the offense the ball back.

“I feel like every week I get more comfortable in the system. With experience, I feel more confident in myself, absolutely. I’m just trying to build off the good things,” he said.

This week the Kentucky cornerbacks are tasked to contain an explosive Florida passing attack. Their 23 completions of 20+ yards rank 6th in the SEC. Star pass-catcher Eugene Wilson III missed three games but is ready to roll against the Cats. In his absence, Chimere Dike and Elijhah Badger stepped up, combining for 14 receptions of 20+ yards. Dike caught the 27-yard touchdown from DJ Lagway that sent the Tennessee game into overtime.

With running back Montrell Johnson sidelined by injury, the Florida offense will rely on its wide receivers to move the sticks. Fortunately, Kentucky is getting healthier at cornerback. True freshman Terhyon Nichols is expected to be back in action after missing the Vanderbilt game. The group also got a morale boost from All-SEC cornerback Maxwell Hairston before making the trip to Gainesville.

“Our room did a great job stepping up and responding to the adversity,” said Hardaway. “But it’s good to see Max. Max is back in the building. We saw him this morning at a meeting, and I’m happy to have him back, have him around. He’s a great leader for us.”

The Kentucky front seven has been dominant, but there have been shaky moments at times in the secondary. Their play can take this defense to another level. We’ll see if they’re ready to answer the call when they face a true freshman quarterback Saturday night in The Swamp.

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