Kentucky coasts past EKU 37-12

Today’s game against Eastern Kentucky wasn’t exactly the most anticipated game of this season. The ‘Cats came in knowing that they would face a lower division opponent and they knew that taking care of business was essential for UK to achieve any goal that the team has for the rest of the season.

Coming in, the ‘Cats knew they would be without star running back Derrick Locke. Then, just before kickoff, we noticed Randall Cobb on the field with a big cast on his throwing arm. UK announced that he had sprained wrist. Even more of the intrigue was sapped from the intrastate showdown.

UK’s team came out flat and the crowd did the same, the ‘Cats stumbled out to a 17-6 first half lead. A comparable performance against likely any of UK’s other opponents this season would have left the ‘Cats down by multiple scores at the half.

Luckily, UK looked much better in the second half. Morgan Newton threw the first two touchdown passes of his young career to Maurice Grinter (who came back from the dead) and Chris Matthews, and the UK passing game looked better than it has at any point since Mike Hartline’s great first half against South Carolina. Newton looked very good in dodging pressure all game, allowing his receivers to find open spaces in the Colonel defense.

Really, the story of the game in my mind is the performance of first year Kentucky players. Morgan Newton was very good all day (20-30 for 187 yards and 2 TD’s), although he didn’t do as much damage downfield as you would like. Also, Newton consistently targeted JUCO transfer Chris Matthews and true freshman La’Rod King to the tune of 11 catches for 97 yards.

Matthews continued to block well and made more plays in the passing game. King had his second consecutive strong performance. After making two big catches last week, he showed a knack for getting open and making the grab when it was there. Newton to King could be a combination we see quite a bit over the next 3-4 years.

Also, freshman running back Donald Russell came in to salt the game away at the end of the fourth quarter, but could not run any time off the clock, but only because he busted his first carry for a 79 yard touchdown.

Russell was the ‘Cats leading rusher on only one carry, but Alphonso Smith and Moncell Allen carried the load most of the way. They split the load in place of Derrick Locke, running for 122 yards on 26 carries.

Defensively, the UK secondary gave EKU fits all day. The Colonels completed 8-28 passes for only 127 yards. The ‘Cats came with 2 picks, one by freshman Cartier Rice and the other by Sam Maxwell, who just seems to always make plays. On the ground, EKU was limited to just over 120 yards on 30 carries.

Special teams was a bit of an adventure today. Lones Seiber, after quietly doing his job for the past few weeks, was brutal. He missed an extra point and another 32 yard field goal in a reminder that you can take no kick for granted with him.

All in all, it was a win for the Kentucky Wildcats, which is what they needed. They moved the ball effectively without their two best offensive players and limited EKU on offense. UK will be favored again next week against a struggling Vanderbilt team. Vandy is a pretty solid defensive squad, but terrible on offense in spite of a 31 point showing last week. Vandy-UK pretty much never fails to be close, so expect a close one.