KSR Today: Basking in the glow of another somewhat sloppy Kentucky win

Happy Sunday morning! Kentucky is 3-0 to start the 2023 season, but you might not know that if you only consumed the games via social media. Thus goes the rule of not meeting expectations, as unrealistically lofty as they may have been in hindsight. Ultimately, the Wildcats beat the Zips of Akron on Saturday night 35-3, covering the spread in the process.

Ray Davis showed why he is one of the most dynamic weapons in the bluegrass, finishing the day with 169 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns on just 10 touches. He ripped off both a 55-yard yard run and a 58-yard reception, the latter coming off a Houdini-like escape by Devin Leary. The improvisation was something the two had rehearsed and made No. 7 on the list of Sports Center’s Top 10 plays.

Speaking of Leary, it was more of the same from QB1. The same, in this case, was an impressive final stat line (315 yards, three TDs, one INT), a slew of incredible plays, and a handful of signs that indicate the offense is still not quite in sync.

Leary left the game in the 4th quarter after a borderline late hit and did not return to action with the ‘Cats up big. He looked active on the sideline afterward and all signs point to him being just fine, but Big Blue Nation held their collective breaths when Leary didn’t immediately pop up from the turf.

KSR will have more coverage all day breaking down the action from Kroger Field, including injury updates when we have them, but let’s start with some highlights:

Highlights: Kentucky 35, Akron 3. pic.twitter.com/EhxkEciban

— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) September 17, 2023

Another football game of the good, bad, and ugly

With two snaps that went over the quarterback’s head, a 45-yard touchdown called back by a holding penalty, a fumble inside the 10-yard line, and a muffed punt to name a few, Kentucky’s mistakes were prominent.

That being said, there was a lot of good that can be drawn from the win as well. Most notably, the defense held Akron to zero touchdowns, and on offense, the ‘Cats have a number of players who can turn any touch into an explosive play.

While those big gainers are exciting, they aren’t something the team will be able to rely upon as they enter SEC play next week, so tightening up the mishaps will be crucial going forward.

Hear what Drew Franklin, Nick Roush, and Adam Luckett had to say in their rapid reaction.

Mark Stoops feels the same frustrations fans do

It is hard to be too upset following a 30-plus point victory, but the perfectionist mentality of fan bases and head coaches will find a way. After the game, Mark Stoops said, “Another game where we win by 30 and I’m p***** off.”

He went on to say during the press conference:

“Offensively, a lot of frustration again. It is a broken record, but you cannot have snaps, holds, you can’t fumble going in. And you have a chance to, you know, easily put up 42, 49 points pretty easy…but there are things that really there are no excuses for. You have to get better. We’re going into the SEC play next week.”

As for the positives:

“The nice thing is, we are 3-0. And I like the work ethic and the way we have been practicing. We will continue to do so. We will get better, and, you know, I think the team will be eager to get back out to practice next week, and we have to get things cleaned up. We are not playing to our standard upfront on the offensive line, whether we are getting beat, whether it is snaps, holds, you know, just things of that nature. But there is enough blame to go around to all groups in all areas, so we will address it and continue to work to get better.”

Watch the full nine-minute conversation:

Special distinctions for Lynn Bowden Jr. and Randall Cobb this weekend in the NFL

As you bask in the afterglow of yet another somewhat sloppy Kentucky victory, pine for some former Wildcats now playing in the professional ranks. Specifically, shout out to Lynn Bowden Jr., who the New Orleans Saints called up from the practice squad after just one week. Bowden had a nice punt return or two during the preseason and special teams is likely where Kentucky’s former do-everything star will make an impact on Monday Night Football. Come see about it.

Randall Cobb, the much more veteran former Wildcat, who did everything at Kentucky before it was cool, got a unique special distinction this week. Now that Aaron Rodgers is out for the season with a torn Achilles, the New York Jets named Robb the emergency quarterback. The likelihood of him going under center is slim, but crazier things have happened. It would be great just to see Zach Wilson simply complete a few passes to the man your girl calls Golden Eyes.

BBNFL Sunday Lineup

1:00 pm (Fox): Packers (Valentine) @ Falcons (Ali, Dupree)
1:00 pm (Fox): Seahawks @ Lions (Paschal)
1:00 pm (Fox): Bears @ Buccaneers
1:00 pm (Fox): Colts @ Texans
1:00 pm (CBS): Chargers @ Titans (Levis)
1:00 pm (CBS): Chiefs (Edwards) @ Jaguars (Fortner, Allen)
1:00 pm (CBS): Raiders @ Bills
1:00 pm (CBS): Ravens @ Bengals
4:05 pm (Fox): Giants (Robinson [doubtful]) @ Cardinals
4:05 pm (Fox): 49ers @ Rams
4:25 pm (Fox): Jets (Cobb, Echols) @ Cowboys
4:25 pm (Fox): Commanders (Davis, Rodriguez Jr.) @ Broncos
8:20 pm (NBC): Dolphins (Joseph) @ Patriots

Monday Night Football
7:15 pm (ESPN/ESPN2): Saints (Johnson Jr., Young, Bowden Jr.) @ Panthers
8:15 pm (ABC): Browns (Smith) @ Steelers

Smith twins flip to Kentucky

This is just another casual reminder that Mark Stoops had more than one victory this weekend, picking up two massive commitments in the form of Jarod Smith and Jacob Smith. The former Michigan commits born just minutes apart dialed up a Friday Night Yahtzee by flipping to Kentucky after Corbin’s 6-0 victory over Fredrick Douglass with much of the coaching staff (and KSR) on site.

The Smith Twins are defensive beasts, both ranked as four-stars by On3. They’ll likely make an immediate impact in blue. Watch Drew Franklin and Freddie Maggard break down what this means for Kentucky.