(SEC Photo)
Kentucky junior defensive lineman Josh Paschal is one of the most realistic college football players you will find. He was like that before his battle with skin cancer put his athletic career — and never doubt his talent — in jeopardy. That’s why when he talks, I normally try to listen.
Paschal’s teammates might be wise to do the same thing, too, after an unexpected 0-2 start. This Kentucky team is one that was supposed to be not only competitive in the Southeastern Conference but good enough to win maybe seven games in the 10-game league schedule with 17 starters returning and more depth than ever.
Instead, UK has failed to make key plays against Auburn and Mississippi State and has had far too many mental errors. It could be Josh Ali running the wrong pass route at Auburn that led to a Terry Wilson goal line interception when his man came off him to make the pick to AJ Rose celebrating too early to cost him a touchdown run to Kelvin Joseph talking a big game but being unable to cover key receivers.
So what can Kentucky do to keep this season from snowballing totally out of control?
“Once we got the SEC schedule and the announcement a couple months ago (about playing 10 games), we knew it was going to be hard. We just have to bounce back,” Paschal said.
“There are going to be momentum swings throughout the season and adversity and we are facing it right now. Really your judged how good of a team you are when you face adversity.”
Well, Kentucky is certainly facing adversity going into Saturday night’s home game with MississippiState before it really gets into the meat of SEC play.
“We are going through adversity right now and it matters how we bounce back and prepare for this week and finish the season,” Paschal said.
Yes it does. It matters a lot to fans and to future recruits. Hopefully it matters as much to Paschal’s teammates as it does him.
“Leadership is important right now to just get the team going and not let one turn into two,” Paschal said. “As far as the defense goes, it goes back to practice on Monday.
“We have to be locked in and focus on attention to detail and things like that. We have to train hard in practice and translate practice to the game. And it all starts with the work you put in during the week.
