Coming off their best offensive performance in years, the Kentucky Wildcats looked like a new team on the field in last Saturday’s season-opening win. Kentucky posted 59 points and 656 yards without committing a single turnover in a 45-point victory, leaving UK fans to fantasize about what this team, especially its young skill players, may be capable of down the road.

Cats’ head coach Mark Stoops discussed his new weapons on the SEC coaches’ teleconference Wednesday afternoon, and his reviews were mostly positive.

“I felt like all the young skill players on offense played well,” Stoops said. “We played quite a few true freshmen at receiver and running back and they all performed very well. (I’m) encouraged with the youngsters we have there.”

Kentucky played four true freshman at wide receiver and used three newcomers in the backfield against UT Martin last week. Braylon Heard, who is not a freshman but made his UK debut after transferring from Nebraska, carried the ball twice for 116 yards and two touchdowns. True freshmen Mikel Horton and Boom Williams combined for 11 carries for 55 yards and two touchdowns.

The Cats four freshmen wideouts – Blake Bone, Garrett Johnson, Dorian Baker and T.V. Williams – all had at least one catch. Bone made the biggest play of the four, taking a 29-yard screen pass to the house for UK’s only touchdown through the air in Week 1. The other three combined to catch eight passes for 99 yards in the victory.

What sets these freshmen apart from UK’s skill position recruits of years past? Speed.

“We’re certainly improved in a lot of areas, and team speed would be one of those,” Stoops said Wednsday, adding, “I believe we’re getting closer to the high level that we play at here in the SEC. We’re getting better.”

The SEC has been a league predicated on team speed in recent years, and it has been UK’s greatest detriment during consecutive winless seasons in conference play. The Cats showed the nation it has the speed and explosiveness to compete with any team in the nation in its win last weekend. It will be up to Stoops and offensive coordinator Neal Brown to develop that speed and translate it into points in the Air Raid offense.

Nevertheless, Kentucky’s phenomenal freshmen are 1-0 for their collegiate careers, and that has them feeling confident. Development and maturation will come with time, but the confidence may be the most welcomed change to the UK football program.

“I felt like we played with great energy,” Stoops said. “Probably as confident and as much energy as we’ve had since I’ve been there, been here.”