Kentucky vs. EKU: 3 Things 2 Watch 4

For the third time in the Mark Stoops era, Kentucky will host EKU at Kroger Field. After a couple of close calls against the Cats, will the third time be the charm for the Colonels? Close connections to the school will surely bring out the best from Eastern Kentucky. Here’s what KSR will be keeping a close eye on Saturday.

Kickoff: 3 pm EST
TV: SEC Network+ & ESPN+
Line: Kentucky -35.5

Kentucky Third Down Defense

The Kentucky defense did just about everything right against Ball State, until the Cardinals got to third down. In the second half of the season-opener Ball State converted 6-of-10 third downs. Not great, Bob. It kept the ball out of the offense’s hands, limiting the Cats to only 11 offensive snaps well into the fourth quarter. Mark Stoops’ call to play clean football doesn’t just apply to the offense. The defense must be about the details and get off the field in critical situations.

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Quick Game from EKU

In the season-opener the Kentucky defensive line was dominant in the trenches. The Cats finished with eight tackles for loss and three sacks, yet that doesn’t accurately illustrate how disruptive Anwar Stewart’s group was behind the line of scrimmage. A similar story was told in EKU’s opener as Cincinnati tallied almost identical numbers (7 TFLs, 3 sacks).

The Colonels will be overmatched inside. To mitigate that problem, they’ll try to take Kentucky’s pass rush out of the game with quick passes underneath the Cats’ zone coverage. Quarterback Parker McKinney is an experienced decision-maker that can deliver dimes and make plays with his legs out of the RPO game. The Kentucky cornerbacks must stay on their toes and play aggressively to prevent EKU from gaining aggravating yards.

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Finding an Offensive Rhythm

The Kentucky offense was clunky in week one. Call it nerves, call it anxiousness, whatever it was, it wasn’t good enough in the first half. Devin Leary was clearly pressing to make plays before he settled own and completed 10-of-11 passes in the second half.

The Wildcats don’t need their quarterback to be a hero against a porous EKU pass defense. They need Devin Leary to do what Devin Leary does best, make the routine plays look routine. Liam Coen’s group will not be a polished product after just two weeks, but Saturday is the ideal time to get Leary comfortable in the pocket.