Kentucky football came back down 17-0 and completed the largest road comeback win in program history. The offense started humming and lead the charge for this massive comeback win over South Carolina. The Wildcats defense had some depth issues on Saturday and it showed. The defense has a ton to fix, but you have to appreciate their ability to make game changing plays in big moments.
Sam Greene in particular has made a ton of game changing plays in the first five games of the season. He forced the fumble to set up the offense in great field position to get the comeback started. Kentucky had two big fourth down stops against the Gamecocks as well. Two plays late in the game that stood out: Hasaan Sykes had a pass breakup against Nick Harbor on a third
down slant route and falling on the LaNorris Sellers fumble.
This defense has proven they can make enough game changing plays even when things aren't going well, and that should be praised as they did it again on Saturday. There are obviously a ton of things the need to get fixed, but the defense came into this one with a ton of depth issues. Linebacker Alex Afari was deemed ineligible the day before the game, and backup linebacker Tavion Wallace was already out for this game. Antwan Smith immediately went from LB5 to LB3 and he unfortunately suffered an injury in the game, so the Cats were down to just the starters Grant Godfrey and Bo Barnes.
Hopefully they can get Wallace and Smith back quickly because they are dangerously thin at linebacker. The edge group had some bright spots, we mentioned Sam Greene and Mi'Quise Humphrey-Grace has also made huge plays all season. Tavion Gadson continued to create havoc on the interior offensive line at defensive tackle. Kentucky's defensive line got pressure on Sellers, but had a tough time bringing him down with his 6'3, 238 pound frame.
Kentucky has been really good against the pass game, but the run defense is increasingly becoming an issue that needs to be fixed. The Wildcats rank 6th in the SEC in EPA per dropback allowed, but they have struggled against the run game. Among SEC teams, Kentucky ranks 15th in the conference in EPA per rush attempt allowed. Kentucky saw that play out on Saturday, but it was more from Sellers rather than running back Matt Fuller.
Kentucky did a fine job at containing running back Matt Fuller. Fuller had 49 yards on 14 carries at an average of just 3.6 yards per carry. Sellers had 17 carries for 147 yards on Saturday, averaging over eight yards per carry. Sellers was dynamic in the designed runs and the scrambles as well; the 74-yard run was an incredible play and one that looked like it stopped Kentucky's chances at completing the comeback.
This is obviously a concern with LSU coming to town because their quarterback Sam Leavitt is a tough runner that is not afraid to make plays with his legs. He is not as dynamic as Sellers, but he is just as difficult to bring down when he gets rolling. LSU running back Dilin Jones is fifth in the SEC in rushing yards with 426 yards and is averaging over four yards per carry. This is an area that Kentucky's defense has to improve because they have been rock solid against the pass.
Kentucky's defense has to get healthy at linebacker, so keep an eye on the initial injury report on Wednesday for the LSU game. Kentucky has given up yardage and drives defensively, and they are struggling on third downs. However, this defense has consistently made huge plays in big moments. We will see if they can continue to create turnovers and be opportunistic on the defensive side of the football.
This article originally appeared on UK Wildcats Wire: Kentucky defense review: Wildcats made plays in critical moments
