If you follow the newspapers (some of you don’t, which is sad) that cover the Cats, you’d know there’s a little bit of struggle going on.
Sophomore running back Derrick Locke, never one to mince words, called out his coaches about wanting to run the ball more after the Alabama game.
Monday and Tuesday, Rich Brooks shot back, saying that it wasn’t just one factor that is stifling UK’s running game, citing it takes a full effort by the backs, offensive line and it all depends on the type of defense the Cats play.
Now, on the surface, what Locke says makes sense. A deeper look shows otherwise.
First, UK’s offensive line is too banged up/isn’t good enough to get a three-yard push off the line every play. Instead, UK must utilize their speed with Locke and Alfonso Smith by going outside and throwing screens. A screen is basically like a run, anyway.
But if there is one game where the running back really needed to jump start, it’s against South Carolina. The Gamecocks have the SEC’s top ranked pass defense. UK’s wide receivers aren’t experienced enough to be expected to overcome that pass defense. Instead, Tony Dixon, Smith and Locke will need to step it up themselves, and make due with however many carries they are given.
I can understand Locke wanting to run more and I personally believe that Dixon is just complicating matters by playing so much.
Either way, whether it’s more running plays or UK’s running backs just having to explode to get better rushing yards, something needs to be done.