Missouri's sideline was a lot more emotional and animated last week than what it was like on the UK sideline. (SEC Photo)
The offensive numbers tell a bleak story for the Kentucky offense. However, former Kentucky all-SEC running back Anthony White says UK’s woes might be about more than numbers.
“There is something more going on. I am just not sure what,” White said. “Our sideline, the game was never really out of hand, but I did not see anybody jumping around and trying to get the other guys up.
“They were flat for a reason. We just don’t know what it is. Our offensive line could not have digressed that much in a year to where we can’t establish a running game. I just don’t get it.”
Most UK fans don’t either. A team that had so much expected of it showed very little last week in a 20-10 loss at Missouri that the Tigers dominated from start to finish.
White thought UK looked both unprepared and unenthusiastic — and I can’t argue with either belief.
“If (offensive coordinator) Eddie Gran wants to keep his job and I know how fans feel … he changed the whole offense for Lynn Bowden last year and it was successful,” White said. “He did different things with Terry his first year.
“Right now the basic blocking concepts are missing. I don’t think the running backs are really picking anybody up in the passing game and that makes it hard on the quarterback when he sees a guy coming free. There’s plenty of blame to go around.
“Gran is going to have to tighten up the offensive line leakage and that also includes the running back so Terry or Joey can get the ball off. Gran has to hold his assistants accountable. He calls those plays but he won’t call a play they cannot protect.”
White said if receivers can’t get open, the quarterback can’t make a read on what to do next. White said the quarterback can make calls at the line but it won’t matter if the continuity between the quarterback and receiver are off like it appears to be with the Cats this year.
“He has to get these guys in the best position they can be,” White said. “He cannot just be vanilla (with the play calling). He has to give it all a go if he is collecting a paycheck.”
What about ranking last in the SEC in passing yards? The Cats are even 22 yards behind Vanderbilt.
“That is baffling,” White said.
