This Saturday, the Kentucky defense will face its toughest test of the season in the form of South Carolina's quarterback, LaNorris Sellers. In his weekly press conference, Mark Stoops didn't mince words, showing immense respect for the Gamecocks' signal-caller and the challenge he presents.
"It's very easy to see that the offense running through LaNorris, right? I mean, he's a just a dynamic player, just an extremely talented player, very good," Stoops said.
A true dual-threat problem
Sellers is the definition of a dual-threat quarterback. While the Gamecocks were held to negative rushing yards as a team against Missouri, Sellers still managed to throw for over 300 yards and two touchdowns, showcasing his elite arm talent. "You watch him in the pocket... the velocity that he has on it and the accuracy, very impressive," Stoops noted.
This presents a major problem for a Kentucky secondary that has been vulnerable this season. The Wildcats have allowed an average of 278 passing yards per game to their first three FBS opponents.
Complicating matters is Sellers' elite running ability. "We all know what he can do on his feet... he is so big and so strong," Stoops added. This forces defensive coordinator Brad White into a difficult position. If you sit back in coverage, Sellers can beat you with his arm. If you bring pressure, he can escape the pocket and create explosive plays with his legs. "He's one of those guys that if you sit back there and you give him the time, he he will dissect you," Stoops concluded. Kentucky does not like to blitz, but may have no choice but to press the issue a bit.
Containing Sellers will require a disciplined performance from the entire defense, likely involving a QB spy on key downs and a relentless effort to prevent the big plays that have plagued the Wildcats so far this season. If Kentucky wants to walk away with the W, a big part of that will be containing Sellers.
Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time he enjoyes downtime with his family and Premier League soccer.You can find him on X here.Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion