Let’s get something straight right from the very beginning. At the beginning of the 2010 season, I did not want Mike Hartline as Kentucky’s starting Quarterback.
By the end of the season, I had changed my mind. In my very unprofessional opinion, he earned the respect this year. Yes, Hartline had some bonehead plays, so did every other quarterback during the 2010 season, including Cam Newton.
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
The one common thing between Newton and Hartline is, they both ended the season with some unresolved off the field issues.
The difference, one’s playing for a National Championship, while sporting a real nice trophy, while the other is deciding what he will do for the rest of his life after an embarrassing season ending suspension.
From the position of QB, Mike had an solid season and when comparing him to some of the countries best, the numbers show it.
[B]Cam Newton:[/B]
[LIST]
[*]QB Rating – 188.16
[*]Attempts/Completions – 246/165 – 67.1% completion
[*]Passing Yards – 2,589
[*]Yards Per Attempt – 10.52
[*]TD/Int – 28 TD’s – 6 int
[*]Sacked – 21 times
[*]Heisman Trophy Award winner, a bull in the running game and QB for the No. 1 ranked Auburn Tigers
[/LIST]
[B]Kellen Moore:[/B]
[LIST]
[*]QB Rating – 185.04
[*]Attempts/Completions – 345/245 – 71% completion
[*]Passing Yards – 3,506
[*]Yards Per Attempt – 10.16
[*]TD/Int – 33 TD’s – 5 int
[*]Sacked – 5 times
[*]QB of the No. 10 Boise State Broncos and Heisman Finalist
[/LIST]
[B]Ryan Mallot:[/B]
[LIST]
[*]QB Rating – 170.53
[*]Attempts/Completions – 394/262 – 66.5% completion
[*]Passing Yards – 3,592
[*]Yards Per Attempt – 9.87
[*]TD/Int – 30 TD’s – 11 int
[*]Sacked – 21 times
[*]Preseason Heisman favorite and QB of the No. 8 and BCS Bowl bound Arkansas Razorbacks
[/LIST]
[B]Mike Hartline:[/B]
[LIST]
[*]QB Rating – 146.38
[*]Attempts/Completions – 405/268 – 66.2% completion
[*]Passing Yards – 3,178
[*]Yards Per Attempt – 7.85
[*]TD/Int – 23 TD’s – 9 int
[*]Sacked – 14 times
[*]QB for the Kentucky Wildcats.
[/LIST]
With the exception of rating and yards per attempt, Mike Hartlines numbers are in line with the top 3 QB’s from the 2010-11 Class.
There are a few major differences between Mike and the other three. Talent, wins, team rankings and team Defense.
Hartline had his moments, good, bad and ugly.
[B]The Good[/B] – South Carolina and Auburn. In the SC game, Mike threw for 349 yards, completing 76.2% with 4 TD’s and 0 picks. A week prior, he completed a season high 82.1% against Cam newton and the Auburn Tigers, throwing for 220 yards and 1 TD in maybe Kentucky’s best second half of the year.
[B]The Bad[/B] – Mississippi State where he could only manage 258 yards with a 56.1% completion rate, 2 TD’s and 3 back breaking interceptions.
[B]The Ugly[/B] – Florida. Enough said. 242 yards, 53.8% completion, 1 TD and 2 back to back picks that broke the game open. The decision making in this game was some of his worst of the year.
Still, Hartline came through for the Cats. Kentucky averaged scoring 33 points per game, 26th best in the country. The offset was a defense who gave up an average of 28.5 points per game, placing UK 74th worst.
In the six losses, Kentucky gave up 219 points or 36.5 points per. A deficit few teams could overcome.
As for Mike Hartline, [B]his season ended much like it started, in turmoil[/B]. A non-supportive fan base and a self inflicted suspension.
As for me, he earned my vote of confidence.
Go Cats!!
Contact Chip Miller with your Kentucky questions or comments at [EMAIL=”[email protected]”][email protected][/EMAIL], via twitter at [URL=”http://twitter.com/ukbigbluenation”]@ukbigbluenation[/URL] or here at N of B, at his NofB Profile, by [URL=”http://www.nationofblue.com/members/chip-miller/”]clicking here[/URL]
