Kentucky Wildcats Football: It’s hard to see the forest for the trees in loss to 48-17 loss to Missouri Tigers
By Paul Jordan
Nov 9, 2013; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Jalen Whitlow (2) runs the ball against the Missouri Tigers at Commonwealth Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Kentucky appeared to get another break when Mauk hit Henry Josey for a touchdown before the half. Replays showed that Josey may have fumbled and the ball went out of the end zone, but there was not to overturn the call. Missouri went in at half up 28-3 and after allowing Kentucky 76 yards on the opening drive, clamped down on the Cats and gave up just 26 yards the next six drives. Meanwhile the yardage totals reflected the halftime score as the Tigers gouged UK for 252 yard to just 102 for UK.
For their credit, Kentucky showed signs of life after the half, keeping the ball on the ground in the opening drive. Behind the running of Whitlow and Raymond Sanders, UK advanced to the Missouri 11. Then, Stoops called for a bit of trickery, as DeMarco Robinson hit Whitlow on a pass that Jalen took inside the one yard line. Two plays later, Whitlow had Kentucky in the end zone again.
After forcing a three and out, it appeared that Kentucky was going to make it interesting. Whitlow hit Raymond Sanders on a 40 yard play, but Sanders fumbled, giving the Tigers the ball at their UK 44. Missouri is too good of a team to not take advantage of a gift, and three plays later, Mauk hit Green-Beckham for a 22 yard TD pass.
The thing that is different about this Kentucky team is the resolve they do show. Whitlow connected with Javess Blue on a 53 yard pass that brought them to the Missouri. UK overcame a couple of penalties and Sanders scored from a yard out. But today seemed to be a day where Kentucky could not grab any momentum and run with it. A 61 yard kick return put the Tigers right back in business. Missouri appeared set to try a FG, but the Tigers went for it on fourth and three and Mauk found Dorian-Green for another TD. The kick was missed, but Kentucky was left to play for pride now, down 41-17.
It’s become a familiar refrain, but Kentucky simply does not have the guns to compete in the SEC and this is going to be an extensive rebuilding project. Kentucky had more holes than strengths going into todays game and they were summarily exposed on virtually every level. Missouri is for real and will win the SEC East. Kentucky was without two of their big playmakers and it showed, although the overall numbers ended up respectable at the end. For the game, Missouri outgained Kentucky 425-367, but in the beginning, Kentucky could not capitalize on the breaks Missouri gave them. And Mizzou pounced on the Kentucky miscues. Kentucky has talent on the team, but it’s obvious that there are going to be a lot of position battles in camp next year when this highly touted class gets to Lexington.
It’s going to be a slow and sometimes painful rebuilding progress. And on days like today, it’s tough to see the forest for the trees. But I still have faith that a change is underway.