Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Joey Gatewood (2) had his pass attempt batted down as Kentucky played Georgia on October 31, 2020. Photo by Mark Cornelison
As I watched Kentucky’s offense continue to throw short passes or run non-explosive plays Saturday trailing 14-3 in the fourth quarter, I wondered why not give quarterback Joey Gatewood a chance to throw the ball deep.
Sure, I knew UK receivers had not been getting separation from Georgia’s defensive backs — or really anyone else this season. But come on. Down 14-3 with an offense that has struggled to score all season, what was the worst thing that could happen. An interception? So what. If UK didn’t score, it couldn’t win.
After the game I asked Kentucky coach Mark Stoops if there didn’t become a point in a game where the offense had to take chances even if they were not high percentage plays.
“Well, I think with — I was with you,” Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said.
Good. Then why didn’t UK take some chances late?
“I was sitting there on the sideline when it was getting late and we were, I was talking with (offensive coordinator) Eddie (Gran) and (quarterback coach) Darin (Hinshaw) on the phone,” Stoops said.
“(Quarterback) Joey (Gatewood) was told to look for certain routes. He must have felt they were covered. I can’t see exactly what was happening as far as, until we look at the film. But yeah, I agree.”
Okay, glad to know Stoops and I were thinking alike — and probably so were most UK fans.
Still, why didn’t Gatewood try a downfield throw or two?
“After I want to say one of the throws, one of their guys got hurt and we had an opportunity to talk to him and that’s exactly what we talked to him about,” Stoops said. “We’re saying, ‘Fit one in there. Get the ball down the field and at least try — you gotta force it at this point.’
“So, yes, we were trying, and I agree with you, I think it was difficult there. But again, they know that. They know those plays are coming as well and one of them they had an opportunity to pick for a touchdown and fortunately he dropped it.”
