Inside The Numbers: Kentucky eclipses win total from last two seasons
The Good
3: The number of games Kentucky has won so far this season. The Cats won just two games each of the last two years and have only won nine total games the last three years combined. To have already won three of their first four games, including an SEC contest, is a major step forward for the program, even if none of those wins came against quality opponents (UT Martin, Ohio and Vanderbilt).
15: The number of points per game allowed by Kentucky’s defense, ranking the Wildcats fourth in the SEC in scoring defense. Last weekend against Vanderbilt, the Cats did not allow a single point to a faltering Vandy offense, their second game so far this season without allowing an offensive touchdown.
13: The number of Kentucky’s plays from scrimmage that went for at least 30 or more yards, ranking second in the SEC behind Texas A&M. Long, sustained drives can be a key to success on offense, but considering how little speed and athleticism UK had on offense the last few years, seeing this many big plays in just four games is a major step forward. As the Cats continue to attract more athletes to play in the Air Raid offense, this number will only continue to rise.
The Bad
4: The number of interceptions thrown by quarterback Patrick Towles, all coming in UK’s last two games. Towles is third-worst in the SEC in interception total, and the Cats stellar offense will fall short against tough SEC foes if Towles cannot regain command of the Air Raid offense in the eight remaining games on the schedule.
279: The number of all purpose yards accumulated by freshman tailback Boom Williams, which leads the team but is ranked just 41st in the SEC. The fact that UK does not have a single player ranked in the top 40 in the conference in all purpose yards is reason for concern, as it prohibits the offense from establishing one go-to player in critical situations. The problem is further intensified this week as Williams must sit out Saturday’s game while serving a one-game suspension for an incident involving air-soft rifles on UK’s campus last weekend. Having a transcendent star is just as key as having depth, and while Kentucky now has plenty of depth at the skill positions, it does not possess any top-flight athletes that can carry the team in close games.
2: The number of sacks recorded by defensive lineman Regie Meant, which leads Kentucky through four games. Meant is not even a starter, but rather a rotational pass rusher who has had some success getting after opposing quarterbacks in 2014. Kentucky’s defensive ends were seen as a strength entering the season, but if Meant continues to lead the team while averaging a mere 0.5 sacks per game, the Cats will need to remain blitz-happy, which could leave an average secondary hanging out to dry.