We have review both the Kentucky football offense and defense from the 45-17 loss against Alabama. We will now spotlight players on each side of the football that stepped up. Kentucky's offense was exposed in areas, but there were a couple of bright spots. Let's take a look at the players on the offense that stepped up in the loss.
TE Willie Rodriguez
Willie Rodriguez had another great game and is in store a massive season. Rodriguez was targeted eight times and caught all eight for 49 yards on Saturday. Rodriguez also was physical as a blocker as well. Rodriguez is a key playmaker for Kentucky this season, and they will have to lean on him all year because he is their biggest mismatch in the passing game.
WR Kenny Darby
Kentucky is not getting enough out of their wide receiver
room, but true freshman Kenny Darby looks like a stud for Will Stein's offense. Darby led the team in receiving yards in week one, and he was targeted 10 times against Alabama, catching five of those targets for 45 yards. It is promising that the true freshman is exceeding expectations, but it is also concerning that he is the Wildcats best wideout at this point in the season. Darby will continue to be a weapon for this offense, but the guys around him need to step up in a hurry.
HB Jason Patterson
Jason Patterson looks like a different player under Coach Stein and his staff. Patterson is the Wildcats leading rusher through two weeks of play, and he is consistently getting yards when his number is called. Patterson had 11 carries for 53 yards against the Crimson Tide. Patterson's 4.8 average yards per carry led the team by a wide margin, as no other back was finding consistent success in week two.
Kentucky is figuring out which players they need to lean on weekly, and these three players have shown up through two weeks. Mikkel Skinner had just eight snaps on Saturday, and that has to change moving forward. CJ Baxter has shown some flashes, but needs to be more consistent moving forward. DJ Miller and Nic Anderson have to start making an impact moving forward, a true freshman being the only consistent player getting open in the wideout room is alarming and that has to change quickly.
This article originally appeared on UK Wildcats Wire: Kentucky offensive player spotlights in week two loss to Alabama
