Mark Stoops has some issues with his team. (SEC Photo)
Something that SEC Network sideline analyst Dawn Davenport said early in Kentucky’s 20-10 loss at Missouri jumped out at me. She was asked what it was like on the UK sideline in the first quarter when it was clear Missouri was clearly playing better and with more energy than UK.
“Sluggish, not a lot of communication, not a lot going on,” she said. “There is just not a lot going on on this sideline.”
That certainly carried over to the field where Missouri dominated the yardage, time of possession and number of offensive plays in a way that made it easy for the Tigers to win.
Kentucky’s lack of a passing game was pointed out numerous times on the SEC Network. Quarterback Terry Wilson did throw a 26-yard scoring pass to Josh Ali in the second half but that was about it for the passing game.
Kentucky coach Mark Stoops went to backup quarterback Joey Gatewood in both halves but he did not have any more luck moving the football.
Some fans were very critical of Wilson on social media. His mother, Loise Wilson, also took to social media but had a different take on the game.
“I’m sorry. #BBN I feel like the kids got let down tonight and my heart is breaking for them,” Loise Wilson tweeted. “Adults making decisions that make kids look incompetent and they still get cash $$$. I’m hurt for them. Change qb’s, rb’s db’s, socks etc . Is that the real problem??”
She also added this: “Throw the kids under the bus.”
Something center Drake Jackson said after the game also jumped out at me and related to what Davenport sensed early in the game.
“We can’t take anything for granted. Can’t come off a big win (at Tennessee) and expect anything to be handed to us. That’s what coach Stoops said to us all week.”
Jackson is very realistic. If he felt UK might have taken a win for granted, then that is very, very troubling and may have been something Stoops sensed all week. Or maybe comments from Loise Wilson show there is a disconnect between the players and coaching staff.
What’s obvious is that something was not right Saturday and it is something UK better get figured out quickly to have any chance of salvaging a respectable season.
