Wildcats must get passing game going
Kentucky was able to grind out a 14-7 win over Vanderbilt last week, rushing for 280 yards behind running back Benny Snell.
But it’s no secret that the No. 12 Wildcats (6-1, 4-1 Southeastern Conference) are going to have to get more out of their passing game as they prepare for a stretch run that features a trip to Missouri on Saturday followed by a home game against Georgia and a trek to Tennessee over the next three weekends.
Quarterback Terry Wilson threw only nine passes, completing three for just 18 yards and a touchdown against the Commodores. It’s easily the fewest pass attempts, fewest completions and least passing yardage that the Wildcats have had in a game this season. (The all-time single-game low for passing yardage is minus-3 against Tennessee in 1949.)
Previous lows were 8-of-14 for 71 yards in a win over Mississippi State.
Coach Mark Stoops said the responsibility doesn’t all fall back on quarterback Terry Wilson.
“We need to address it in a lot of areas, from what we’re doing to set them up for success and set the team up for success,” he said. “It starts with us and coaching and what we’re doing, the position we’re putting them in to be successful.
“Also, getting the quarterback to pull the pin and make accurate throws and to trust himself. He has done that this year. He has been successful. He’s put us in a position to get to the spot we’re in right now.
“But, he’s also not played his best the past couple games. We have to look at that.”
Wilson was 13-of-20 passing in the two games preceding the low output against Vanderbilt. He has completed 63.9 percent of his 122 attempts but for only 103 yards a game. He has four touchdown passes against five interceptions.
Stoops doesn’t see a lack of confidence in the junior college transfer.
“I don’t think so. I talked to Terry today, before this, and he doesn’t see it that way,” Stoops said. “We need to watch the film and get some things corrected and get back on the field. Certainly, we have to look at all options, again like we always have.
Wilson doesn’t seem in danger of losing his job to backup Gunnar Hoak, who has played in only two games.
“I’ve always said that Terry is our starting quarterback,” Stoops said. “He’s going to start this week. We certainly need to look at the other guys and see if they could get an opportunity to get in there and play and help us.
“We’ll have a plan, and we’ll work Gunnar pretty extensively this week and have him ready to play as well.”