UK/Louisiana-Monroe Preview
By Staff
COMMONWEALTH STADIUM, LEXINGTON
7:00 PM EST – ESPN 360
LOUISIANA MONROE WARHAWKS 4-2
SERIES HISTORY: UK LEADS 2-1
RECENT MEETINGS:
2006: UK 42 ULM 40
After a torturous four games stretch of games, UK finds itself back in Commonwealth Stadium awaiting what appears to be a sure win in the form of the Sun Belt Conference’s Louisiana Monroe Warhawks. Don’t be too quick to put up the “W” on UK’s schedule. Let’s not forget what happened the last time UK and the Warhawks met up in 2006:
“If Kentucky was a lock for a bowl berth, Louisiana-Monroe came dangerously close to playing locksmith. A record-breaking performance by Wildcat receiver Keenan Burton nearly unraveled because of a porous defense, but Kentucky held on for a 42-40 victory Saturday, clinching its first winning season since 2002.”
In that 2006 matchup, the 2-7 Warhawks rushed for 351 yards and had 501 total yards. OK, I think I’ve beat this dead horse enough. Don’t overlook the Warhawks.
OFFENSE
Like Kentucky, the Warhawks are without their starting quarterback. Junior Trey Revell injured his thumb in last weeks win over Arkansas State and will be out 3-6 weeks. Freshman Cody Wells will more than likely get the start for Louisiana Monroe. For the season, Wells is 7-13 for 76 yards with 1 TD. Seeing how UK manhandled Chris Todd last week, this could be a long week for Wells making his first start.
Junior Frank Goodin is the main rushing threat for the Warhawks with 558 yards and 9 TD’s on the ground. Goodin is not much of a receiving threat with only 6 receptions this year. He did have 25 catches last year, so he may be more of an option for new QB Wells. Trey Revell was second on the team in rushing with 194 yards, but look for some of the rushing slack to be picked up by Rodney Lovett (38-147). Isaiah Newsome is an interesting case. He had 158 yards on 22 carries in week 2 vs Texas Southern, but has not played since then.
WR’s Darrell McNeal (24-360-4) and LaGregory Sapp (18-336-1) are the main receiving threats for the Warhawks. Luther Ambrose is a dual threat with 207 yards receiving and 121 yards rushing.
DEFENSE
Believe it or not, the Warhawks have a pretty nasty run defense, allowing only 560 yards on the season and have held their opponents to a 2.8 yard per carry average. While they only allow 93.3 yards a game on the ground, they have given up 11 rushing TD’s thus far. Keeping in mind they play in the Sun Belt Conference, I took a look at how their run defense fared against the BCS conference schools they played. They held #2 Texas to 199 yards on the ground and just 4.1 yards a carry in a 59-20 loss. Arizona State could only manage 107 yards and a 3.1 yard per carry average on the ground in a 38-14 win. Cardia Jackson leads the team with 52 tackles and Aaron Morgan has 7 sacks on the year.
If UK is going to win easily, it has to be through the air. The Warhawks are allowing 262 yards a game through the air. Colt McCoy passed for 363 yards and 2 TD’s against the Warhawks so it is possible to torch this secondary. As a team, the Warhawks have just 5 INT’s on the season.
OUTLOOK
On paper, this is a game that UK should be able to jump ahead early and then coast to an easy win. UK’s defense should have it’s way with the Sun Belt opponent and the fact they are facing a true freshman QB getting his first start should lead to a good day.
That said, UK must see a complete game from QB’s Morgan Newton and Will Fidler. In order to get ready for Mississippi State, I would look for the UK passing game to get at least 225-250 yards through the air. Newton has to find a rapport with his receivers and unfortunately game time experience is the only way to really build that. On the plus side, this is not a SEC quality defense in the secondary and Newton should be able to have a good day.
The last thing UK needs is a struggle ala 2006 in what should be an rout. I think that Brooks has this team prepared for the Warhawks and it should be a fairly drama free 31-10 UK rout.
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