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Rapid reaction: Stoops’ defense dominates Ohio as Kentucky improves to 2-0
By Ethan Levine
Published:
The Kentucky Wildcats scored touchdowns on their first two offensive possessions Saturday afternoon, then let their defense take over in a 20-3 win over the Ohio Bobcats. Here’s a quick rundown of what took place in Commonwealth Stadium between Kentucky and Ohio:
What it means: Last week’s win was no fluke. Kentucky took on its first FBS opponent of the 2014 season, but Saturday’s result was as convincing as last week’s win over UT Martin of the FCS. Kentucky’s offense cooled off from last week’s 59-point showing, but its defense was on-point from start to finish, limiting the Bobcats to just 223 yards of total offense. Ohio averaged less than three yards per carry on the ground, and completed less than 45 percent of their passes (14-of-32), as Kentucky made every yard a chore for the Bobcats. UK quarterback Patrick Towles followed up a fantastic debut last week with another fine day against Ohio. He completed 17-of-31 passes for just 170 yards and a touchdown through the air, but gashed the Bobcats with his legs to the tune of 22 carries for 59 yards (lost yardage on sacks hurt his average). Most importantly, Towles has still yet to commit a turnover as the starting quarterback through two weeks, which will help UK compensate for its youth throughout the offense.
What I liked: The energy on defense. After opening the game with 14 quick points, the Cats’ defense could have put it in cruise control and relied on the offense to secure a victory. Instead, it remained as aggressive as it was in its first series, which paid off in the end as UK failed to score another touchdown the rest of the game. Kentucky’s defensive line won the battle in the trenches, and its linebackers rarely missed tackles in a sound performance. The Wildcats didn’t force a turnover until late in the fourth quarter, but that didn’t keep them from smothering the Ohio offense for 60 minutes. This defense is as complete as any in the SEC in terms of talent, and games like Saturday’s showdown with Ohio will help add the experience UK lacks.
Who’s the man: Ryan Timmons. The Cats’ explosive sophomore wideout played a major role on Kentucky’s two early touchdown drives, catching six passes in the first quarter alone for more than 60 yards through the air. He ended the game with a team-high nine catches for 98 yards, and garnered the attention of the Bobcats’ defense every time he stepped on the field, opening things up for his fellow wideouts and the UK rushing attack. Timmons is just a microcosm of the added athleticism in the Kentucky offense, and games like today should give Cats’ fans reason for optimism as UK enters SEC play.
Key Play: Kentucky running back Stanley “Boom” Williams took a carry 53 yards to the house midway through the first quarter to extend the UK lead to 14-0 at the time. It turned out the Cats’ first touchdown, an 8-yard pass from Towles to true freshman Dorian Baker, was all the scoring UK would need, but Williams’ long run set a tone for the rest of the game that the Cats would not look past the Bobcats to next week’s showdown with the Florida Gators. Williams is a highly-regarded true freshman in Kentucky’s offense, and the Cats’ coaching staff hopes his long run Saturday was the first of many dynamic plays in his collegiate career.
What’s next: Kentucky will face its biggest test of the season thus far in a showdown with Florida in The Swamp next week. The Gators looked impressive in a season-opening win Saturday against Eastern Michigan, but they, too, have yet to be tested by a team from within the power conferences. The Cats haven’t beaten Florida since the early-1980’s, but these aren’t your father’s Kentucky Wildcats. UK will enter this game with confidence, and if Florida doesn’t take this matchup seriously, it could turn into a classic SEC showdown in Gainesville.
A former newspaper reporter who has roamed the southeastern United States for years covering football and eating way too many barbecue ribs, if there is such a thing.
