Offensive coordinator Liam Coen says quarterback Will Levis is a bit of a "psycho" and is not afraid to take on defenders running the ball. (UK Athletics Photo)
What did Kentucky players think when they saw quarterback Will Levis run over Missouri linebacker Blaze Alldredge, Missouri’s leading tackler, in Saturday’s 35-38 UK victory?
“Woo, that turned me up right there,” UK running back Kavosiey Smoke said Tuesday. “I loved to see that because we ain’t had no quarterback who would just, ‘BAM,’ bring it to you like a running back.
“Will gonna bring it. He’s got a lot of heart. Hey, you linebackers gotta be ready.”
Yes they do because Levis likely will not be afraid to try that again even if coach Mark Stoops would prefer he not do it.
“He better learn to slide a little bit because we’re going to play some more big boys here,” Stoops said Monday. “But he’s a tough kid. You can see he’s put together. He works out extremely hard and he’s a tough guy. And he made some tough yards.
“Your team and fan base kind of rally around guys like that. They got to get some tough yards when you need them.”
Starting right guard Eli Cox knows running back Chris Rodriguez is going to punish would-be tacklers if he can. Seeing a quarterback do that is a whole different thing.
“It juices up everybody. When any of your teammates are fighting and scrapping for extra yards, it’s a physical game, and you want to step forward and put in that extra effort that your teammate is putting in,” Cox said.
One reason Levis transferred from Penn State was because he didn’t want to be known as a running quarterback. He ran for 260 yards and three scores in 2020 for Penn State. New UK offensive coordinator Liam Coen valued his passing skills more but also knew he could run like he did against Missouri.
“He knows that he can be a weapon running the football,” Coen said. “He’s psycho. He’s nuts in a lot of ways, which is great. You want that out of your quarterback. You want that guy to be the guy who everybody looks to, who brings energy and juice, which he does every single day in practice and every game so far.
“It scares me a little bit, but he’s a freak, so I don’t worry too much because he’s a competitor. I’d like him to be smart, but he’s going to dive and he’s not going to slide very often.”
8 Responses
I am very pleased to see Levis’ willingness to force the play to get the yards his team needs. However, that aggressiveness from a QB can be a double-edged sword because it does make him vulnerable to injury. How does a QB balance the immediate team need for additional yardage by setting the example of aggressive play against the team’s long-term team need for a QB that is effective in leading the team on the field, free of injury.
I don’t know the proper balance that is required here, but I know that finding that balance is important for the long-term success of the team.
My preference is what I have been seeing from Levis through the first 2 games.
I would rather my QB play like Dan Issel than Jared Vanderbilt .
I think Levis will be smart about it Professor
Larry, I agree with you, and I also believe Levis is simply one of those really tough guys.
I always thought Tebow would come to harm against SEC defenses – didn’t happen. ( if that makes anyone feel better )
Levis is a leader for sure and sometimes the QB is to show his team mates that he wants the ball as much as they do. That said, beginning in two weeks, some big time line backers are going to have their crosshairs on Levis. Best he learns how to protect himself or it could be a short season for him. As my father always told me, "pick the fights you know you can win and you’ll live to fight another day".
Love his toughness but we are going to be facing some of the nation’s best. Smart kid. Play smart. We need you all year.Go Cat’s
Out Quarterback is physically strong😆 When he has to run he will go out of bounds when he can. If he can’t he will lower his shoulders and punish the defender. Our running back Rodriguez is a beast. He fights for the extra yard and is not afraid to lower his head and rock you. With that said. The defense fights to stop the other team to get the ball back. They know we have the players to make it happen when we get the ball back.
Good combination Robert