Receivers Wan'Dale Robinson, left, and Josh Ali, right, should be quarterback Will Levis' top targets this season. (UK Football Twitter Photo)
Kentucky is a 29-point favorite over Louisiana Monroe Saturday in its season-opening game. It should be a loveliest for UK fans to get their first look at quarterback Will Levis and receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, both transfers, along with another look at talented running back Chris Rodriguez.
So should coach Mark Stoops have a conservative game plan to avoid showing Missouri, UK’s September 11 opponent, anything special or try a bit of everything to give Levis and his offense chances to iron out any potential problems.
“I don’t think there will be enough plays to run everything that we have, so it’s a little bit of both there,” Stoops said Monday. “The game is a fundamental game. There’s plays that they know we’re going to run.”
Stoops said ULM presents challenges for UK to know what to expect with new offensive and defensive coordinators.
“There are a few more unknowns for us to look at. We’re really concentrating on ourselves,” Stoops said. “Obviously, every game is super important, we’re not leaving anything in the bag.
“We’re going to do whatever we have to do in every game to go out and win the game. Obviously, we have a lot of different change-ups as you take place throughout the year.”
Stoops’ teams have not traditionally been at their best in the first game of the season. However, the UK coach is happy with the way his team has approached the opening game of a season where at least eight wins are expected and some are even predicting a rare 10-win regular season for UK.
“Really focusing on the day and process, trying to get better each and every day. Again, I know that’s boring, but you can’t have that end result (now). It’s just like a game,” Stoops said.
“Maybe we’re supposed to win but it’s got to be this to this automatically. It’s one play, one possession at a time, everyone wants to get ahead of themselves. We can’t get ahead of ourselves. We’ve got a week of preparation, then it will truly be one play at a time. That’s boring, but that’s the truth. It’s just the truth.”
3 Responses
Well, no team has ever took it easy on UK in the past have they? I say turn this offense loose and let’s see some scoring! If the UK offense can score at will, then play more backups and get them some needed experience. It is ULM’s job to stop them, and if Bowden gets the chance, he’ll score as many points as he can against an SEC opponent like UK. Mizzou will come ready to play anyway, we can count on that.
I hate to say it but I think Stoops will be Stoops. He will turn it loose and if the Cats get a descent lead he will shut it down. ULM will then get a heavy dose of the BBWall and the running backs. Go Big Blue!
That worries me too Jim. He can’t help himself