With Drew Barker still sidelined by an injury, Stephen Johnson must create stability under center for the Kentucky football program.
Throughout the 2016 college football season, the Kentucky football program has been able to rely upon its run game as an undeniable strength. Kentucky is averaging 186.2 rushing yards per game and has four dynamic running threats posting quality numbers.
With the running game bordering on elite, the Kentucky football team needs Stephen Johnson to legitimize the passing game.
Johnson made quite the splash against the New Mexico State Aggies, throwing for 310 yards and three touchdowns to no interceptions. In the three games that have followed, however,Johnson has recorded a combined 273 passing yards and no touchdowns to two interceptions.
According to Jon Hale of The Courier-Journal, co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Darin Hinshaw is focused on helping Johnson settle down in the pocket.
"“When you don’t complete balls in a row and you give him some easy throws in the between, you get a little bit gun shy and you’re not sure what’s going on, and then he’s not sure about the coverages,” Hinshaw said. “So I talked to him. I said, ‘Settle down. Let’s go find a way to win, OK? Whatever we got to do to win. And then we’ll figure it out from here, we’ll go to practice, we’ll get it better. But let’s go win this game.’”"
Kentucky will need Johnson to be at his best the rest of the way.
Kentucky has a much-needed week off after six consecutive games of brutal action. The Wildcats have already played four SEC opponents, as well as a tough battle against the 4-2 Southern Miss Golden Eagles.
If Kentucky is going to add three more wins and qualify for a bowl game, then it’s on Johnson to step up.
Johnson has accumulated less than 100 passing yards in each of the past two outings. He was 13-of-22 for 89 yards against the Alabama Crimson Tide and was 10-of-24 for 49 yards and an interception against the Vanderbilt Commodores.
The silver lining against Vanderbilt was that Johnson ran the ball 10 times for 55 yards and a touchdown.
Kentucky’s next game will be played on Saturday, October 22 against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. The Bulldogs are 2-3, but will have a chance to gain momentum against the BYU Cougars on Friday, October 14.
Per Hale, Hinshaw is preparing Johnson for the task of moving the chains as a passer.
"“When he gets live, his eyes got away from him at times,” Hinshaw said. “He got confused, and when you don’t know where to go with the football, it’s hard to throw on target…“We got to get better seeing coverages. We can’t let defenses be able to dictate to us. We got to be able to dictate to defenses.”"
Kentucky’s bowl game odds may rest on Johnson’s throwing arm.
Mississippi State has struggled to put points on the board, but it has a dynamic quarterback in Nick Fitzgerald. He’s thrown for seven touchdowns and rushed for 300 yards through five games played.
That includes his recent game against Massachusetts, during which he had 305 passing yards and 110 rushing yards.
Must Read: Kentucky is in must-win territory against Mississippi State
The question is: will Johnson turn things around in time for Kentucky to make a bowl game?