Terry Wilson UK Football Preseason Practice 2020 Photo by Jacob Noger - UK Football
Almost every preseason college coaches are extremely cautious with the starting quarterback. No coach wants to lose his No. 1 quarterback to a scrimmage injury or having something happen to him in a practice drill.
This preseason, though, Kentucky coach Mark Stoops has been extra cautious with quarterback Terry Wilson. After leading UK to 10 wins in 2018, he was injured in the second game last season and did not play again.
He’s looked like he has regained the speed and mobility he had before the knee injury but Stoops is not wanting to take any chances before the Cats open the season Sept. 26 at Auburn.
“He hasn’t taken a full hit in over a year. That’s a concern and we try to put him into as many live situations as we can without injuring him,” Stoops said after Saturday’s practice. “With the reps we have in there right now, there are bodies coming all over the place.
“That’s just the way we practice and defensively we have some decent experience. We put him under immense pressure every day. … He has to make decisions and he’s feeling it.”
One of Wilson’s best attributes is his ability to pass or run. He can turn a broken play into a big gain with his running ability. He can avoid a pass rush and gain yards running.
Stoops says that has not changed and Wilson is “running just like he always has when he feels the need to scramble.”
So is he ready to play against Auburn knowing he’s not taken a hit in over a year?
“I’ve seen enough to where I’m comfortable with him,” Stoops said. “We’re continuing to go live with him.”
