The Kentucky Wildcats
defeated South Alabama 45-21 to improve to 3-1 through the first month of the season. In a lot of ways, the most important game on the schedule is this week as the Wildcats travel down to South Carolina. Kentucky started slow on Saturday, I think the defense had a phenomenal second half after a rough start. However, it was just a couple plays that really put the defense in a bind against the Jaguars.The first South Alabama touchdown came off a muffed punt, it was a rugby style punt that Brock Coffman should have let roll. Instead, it set up the Jaguars with an extremely short field. The other play that directly led to points was the targeting call on linebacker Bo Barnes on a 3rd and forever that would have got the defense
off the field. Will Stein said that Barnes was trying to make a highlight play and should have just made a regular tackle.
The targeting did allow Alex Afari to get an extended run at linebacker with Barnes being ejected for the targeting, which was much needed for this defense. Jay Bateman's defense forced a shutout in the second half, they managed to create two big turnovers in the game as well. The most impressive part was the run defense, as the Jaguars are a run heavy outfit but rushed for just 2.8 yards per carry on Saturday. Allowing just 88 rushing yards on 31 carries, the run defense showed up.
South Alabama had some success in the passing game, but the Wildcats did a good job of creating turnovers and limiting explosives. The Jaguars averaged just 6.2 yards per pass, and I would not be worried about this secondary moving forward. Kentucky has established a core starting five in the secondary, the safety duo of Ty Bryant and Jordan Castell is second to none; the corner duo of Terhyon Nichols and Hasaan Sykes have played great, as well as the slot corner Aaron Gates. They have established depth in the secondary, true freshman Isaiah McMillian has secured the third corner spot, we have seen Jaden Smith fill in for Aaron Gates in the slot and Cyrus Reyes has got extended looks at safety.
From this game and throughout the first month of the season, you have to be encouraged with this defensive line. Tavion Gadson was out for this game, which made a difference, but we once again saw Mi'Quise Humphrey-Grace step up in this one. Humphrey-Grace had 1.5 sacks and 1.5 tackles for loss against the Jaguars, he is quickly becoming the most consistent player on this defensive front. We also saw Brian Robinson get a sack and a tackle for loss in the second half, which is good to see.
Kentucky came in struggling at times on third downs, but they allowed the Jaguars to convert just four of 15 third down attempts. This defense has absolutely exceeded expectations through the first month of the season. We have seen what we expected from a scheme perspective: Coach Bateman will disguise looks and send simulated pressures while utilizing multiple fronts. This defense will give up yardage from time to time, but they have done a great job of creating havoc plays.
This article originally appeared on UK Wildcats Wire: Kentucky Defense Review: Expectations exceeded in the first month
