Kentucky Football: How To Defeat New Mexico State Aggies

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Sep 10, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats cornerback Derrick Baity (29) is congratulated by safety Mike Edwards (27) after he intercepted the ball against the Florida Gators during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Creating Turnovers

The Kentucky football team has a rare opportunity to exploit a lackluster passing attack. Tyler Rogers of the New Mexico State Aggies isn’t a bad quarterback, but he’s the very definition of a turnover-prone player.

If the Kentucky Wildcats hope to avoid an 0-3 start, the defense must give the offense ideal field position early and often.

The key to the Wildcats’ success in the first half against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles wasn’t just offensive execution. Kentucky did an outstanding job of creating turnovers, which thus set the tone for the offense.

J.D. Harmon had two interceptions and Blake McClain had another—and that’s the type of defensive playmaking Kentucky needs in Week 3.

The Wildcats don’t necessarily need interceptions, but they need to limit the progress that New Mexico State makes offensively. The quicker it comes off the field in the first half, the more energy it’ll have in the second.

Defense has always been a war of attrition in football. The less time Kentucky’s defense spends on the field, the better.

Next: Third Down

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