10 things you don’t know about Kentucky

Towles has thrown more interceptions (4) than touchdowns (3) this season, and hasn’t completed a touchdown pass since a Week 1 win against Louisiana Lafayette. The Wildcats are 5-11 ATS in their last 16 games in September and 7-19 ATS in their last 26 conference games. In the Gators 14-9 win over Kentucky, they held Williams to 80 yards on the ground. “We won some games in our first two years playing on energy alone, and that’s just not going to get it done consistently”. “But we think he’s probable so we listed him as a starter”.

Pinkel declined to provide an update on Hansbrough’s status or how he looked at practice Wednesday during the SEC Coaches’ Teleconference. For example, the Tigers missed a field goal Saturday and failed to score on a fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line. Only three NCAA Division I teams have had fewer red-zone chances.

With the opening of conference play approaching, Head Coach Gary Pinkel is hoping that the Missouri offensive attack can find its bearings during their week of preparation for the Kentucky Wildcats.

Missouri (3-0) hasn’t had any problems against Kentucky (2-1) since joining the SEC, winning three straight – all by double digits.

“I think that’s what he was probably trying to say, just being uptight.” said Stoops.

Towles, the subject of much criticism this week, has taken the complaints in stride and isn’t looking back. “We need to have a sense of urgency to get it done”. Maty Mauk completed 14 of 22 passes for 145 yards to lead the Tigers. Linebacker Ryan Flannigan, who was slated to start before a shoulder injury, returns for his first game of the season. He leads the unit in tackles with 30 stops and has a sack to go with an interception and four passes broken up. Stoops said the Tigers “play hard and play with an edge to them”.

“It’s frustrating for sure”, he said. It sure could use some more points to work with.

“They’ve always played hard and they win close games”, Stoops said.

The running backs, likewise, have been unable to burst through any holes that have been produced.

Something United Kingdom did at times versus Florida…and even when the front line didn’t…they still made an impact. There’s not a great big window here in which Kentucky can clamor for relevance – but with Florida, Missouri, Tennessee, and South Carolina all in various states of upheaval, there is some breathing room. Mauk has been sacked just four times, and has seemed more willing to stay in the pocket than last season. The Tigers average slightly more than 3 yards per rush, ranked 122nd, and one-fifth of their carries have been for no gain or for a loss. “It is encouraging, (but) it is puzzling”. “We’re told by our medical staff that they think he’s going to be ready, but we have to wait and see”. We’ve had two very good recruiting classes. “Guys have got to step it up and as coaches we’ve got to do a better job….”

“He’s out there battling”, offensive line coach A.J. Ricker said. “We just need to put the ball down and play like nobody’s in the stadium and we’ll be fine”. If the Tigers had more depth at tackle, Ricker said, McGovern likely wouldn’t have had to make the shift.

Through three games, there appears to be no doubt Williams is the team’s best player.