[SIZE=3][FONT=Calibri][/FONT][/SIZE]
[FONT=Calibri][I][SIZE=2]Sorry for the aggressive title, you have to gloat when you can.[/SIZE][/I][/FONT]
[SIZE=3][FONT=Calibri]UK Fans wondered if their football team would win a single SEC game this year. The University of Kentucky football Wildcats answered back with a strong performance Saturday against the Rebels. The Cats now have 4 wins and they only have to win 2 out of the remaining 3 to make a bowl. That would be an impressive feat for this team considering how this year started out. [/FONT][/SIZE]
[B][SIZE=3][FONT=Calibri]The Positives[/FONT][/SIZE][/B]
[SIZE=3][FONT=Calibri]Maxwell Smith was terrific. In his first start, he threw for a career high 282 yards. That’s 32 more yards than Morgan Newton has ever thrown for in any of his 20 career games. Max didn’t turn the ball over, had 2 TD’s and most importantly kept moving the chains. He did have trouble with his long ball, but adjusted quite well in the 4[SUP]th[/SUP] as he threw 2 bombs to LaRod King (who quietly had 100+ yards receiving). Max had just one series where he looked rattled, but overall did a great job.[/FONT][/SIZE]
[SIZE=3][FONT=Calibri]Matt Roark is playing out of his mind since the change at QB. For the 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] straight week he had 100+ receiving yards. He’s really been the go to receiver anytime UK needs to convert a long 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] down. Hello Matt Roark, nice to meet you. [/FONT][/SIZE]
[SIZE=3][FONT=Calibri]The defensive line and linebackers played very well against the Ole Miss offense. Trevathan and Guy “did they thing” as they only gave up one touchdown for the entire game. Danny T. had an interception as well. The big uglies up front kept Mackie and Bolen in check all game as they pressured the QB at will and dominated the line of scrimmage virtually all game.[/FONT][/SIZE]
[SIZE=3][FONT=Calibri]UK’s 4[SUP]th[/SUP] string running back, Co “don’t call me Iron” Shiek Williams rushed for 112 yards on 25 carries. He was once an afterthought on this team, but now he is the rock of the UK offense. He is proving to be a terrific SEC feature back for the Cats in the absence of Sanders and Clemons. [/FONT][/SIZE]
[B][SIZE=3][FONT=Calibri]The Not-So Positives[/FONT][/SIZE][/B]
[SIZE=3][FONT=Calibri]The Wildcats secondary is hurting. Mackie threw some terrible balls all over the field and a lot of them were completions. For the 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] consecutive game the defensive backs were beat and didn’t record a pass break up (if they did break up a pass I don’t remember it). The only touchdown UK allowed was a 21 yard reception. If the secondary starts making plays, UK has a shot against Vandy and UT.[/FONT][/SIZE]
[SIZE=3][FONT=Calibri]Craig Macintosh missed a 40+ yard field goal in the 1[SUP]st[/SUP] half and an extra point. He’s usually consistent, so I won’t harp on him too much. I guess if you had to choose a game to miss those kicks, this would be it.[/FONT][/SIZE]
[B][SIZE=3][FONT=Calibri]Outlook[/FONT][/SIZE][/B]
[SIZE=3][FONT=Calibri]Vandy is going to be a tough game. They lost to Georgia by 5, Arkansas by 3 and Florida by 5. Suffice to say, they played South Carolina and Florida much better than UK did, but none of that matters now that UK has a new QB and a new look offense (or should I say, AN OFFENSE?). We have a week to think on that, for now this was a good win to build on. The Bowl season is still alive for now.[/FONT][/SIZE]
