The Kentucky Wildcats found themselves facing a 17-point deficit in Williams-Brice Stadium and they stormed back to get the largest comeback road win in program history against South Carolina. Will Stein signaled for two as they scored in overtime and dialed up a play the team had been working on for months. Since Coach Stein took the head coach position, we have seen him exude confidence over the offseason and now we are seeing that confidence from his football team. This team is incredibly connected and confident, and that is showing up on the field on game days.
Kenny Minchey showed toughness, poise and a ton of resolve on the road against South Carolina. The game started in South Carolina's favor, a desperate team got the momentum they needed
early in this one as they stormed to a 17-0 lead. Kentucky couldn't consistently get the run game going in Columbia, down three possessions and Minchey brought them back when the Wildcats need him most. Minchey finished the day completing 28-of-41 pass attempts for 272 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.
Minchey showed a lot of resolve in the comeback win, he was accurate and started navigating the pocket extremely well as the game went on. Just watch the touchdown in overtime, Minchey side steps a pass rusher to step up in the pocket and deliver a touch pass to Henry Boyer on a tight end leak concept. Then, Coach Stein put up two fingers to instill that confidence in Minchey and the offense to go win the game. The play call was beautiful as Willie Rodriguez was wide open in the back of the end zone, but the most impressive part was Minchey bringing CJ Baxter into the backfield and telling him to pickup the blitzer off the edge before the snap.
We saw the tight ends step up and play well, as they have all season. We have been giving that group flowers all season, but we have to give some out to the wide receivers as they were down DJ Miller in this game. Nic Anderson has been blocking extremely well and has patiently waited for his opportunity to make plays. Anderson got that opportunity on Saturday, he made a clutch catch on a 4th down that the Wildcats had to convert and he got behind the defense for a 32-yard score on a deep post pattern.
Kenny Darby has been that guy since he stepped on campus, and I mentioned the true freshman would be an impact player after seeing him in the spring game. However, even I did not expect this as he was targeted 18 times on Saturday. Darby hauled in 12 of those 18 targets for 96 yards and a touchdown. When you see a true freshman having this much success early, you have a special player and Darby will be a headache for opposing defenses moving forward.
Kentucky is still struggling on third down, but they are still leaning on this unique scheme to consistently move the football down the field. Kentucky has one of the most creative schemes in the SEC, they throw so many different looks at defenses. Kentucky uses creative personnel groupings with unique formations and a ton of pre snap eye candy. To start the second half, the Wildcats flipped the switch and went tempo which caught the defense off guard; this lead to a seven play, 75-yard touchdown drive.
Kentucky has proven they are going to find ways to score points on teams. The scheme is too good and consistently gives them an advantage. They have a lot of tools in the toolbox, they can huddle or go tempo, they can use heavy packages with extra offensive lineman, they can live in two or three tight end sets, they show a lot of pre snap shifts and motions, and they just constantly put stress on a defense which forces them to communicate. This is already one of the best Kentucky offenses of the past decade. This is a credit to Will Stein and Joe Sloan, they have found out what works with this team and have shown the ability to make in-game adjustments.
This article originally appeared on UK Wildcats Wire: Kentucky offense review: Kenny Minchey poised in comeback win
