Kentucky needs team effort to avoid slow start against Tennessee

Kentucky has been a slow-starting football team in the first seven games of the 2022 season. The Cats are currently being outscored 38-20 in the opening 15 minutes this season. The same cannot be said for Tennessee.

The Vols are currently outscoring foes 96-24 in first quarters this season. In a road win against LSU, Tennessee went up 20-0 early in the second quarter as a muffed kickoff return, a big punt return, and a turnover on downs led to three short field opportunities for the Volunteers.

In the big home win against Alabama, the Vols took a 28-10 early in the second quarter after having three touchdown drives of 56 yards, 35 yards, and 40 yards.

Kentucky has to start fast on Saturday night in Neyland Stadium.

“I think there’s no question early (in the game) is very difficult.,” Stoops told reporters on Monday. “There’s no question. So, I think it’s really important for us to not beat ourselves, number one, in trying to do too much.”

Most importantly, complementary football is going to play a big role. It’s on Kentucky’s offense and the kicking game to eliminate short-field opportunities for Tennessee. When facing an offensive juggernaut like the one Josh Heupel currently has in Knoxville, you must make it as hard on them as possible. That means making them drive 60-plus yards for touchdowns early and often.

Kentucky must learn from the mistakes that Alabama and LSU made in losses to the Vols. Penalties, kicking game blunders, and not taking early points after creating scoring opportunities led to a big hole early in the ballgame and allowed Tennessee to establish the tempo of the game.

The start of the game could tell us everything on Saturday night. If Kentucky can survive the early onslaught, the Cats should be in good shape for the rest of the game. Field position is part of the equation, but Kentucky must also limit explosives. Tennessee scored 14 first-quarter points last year on four plays by connecting on a pair of 70-plus yard touchdowns. The Wildcats must find a way to avoid that fate this week.

Staying away from another slow start will be very important. However, Kentucky will need a team effort to get there as all three phases will play a part going against a team that has come out white-hot in multiple games this season.