Photo by Keyli Chisesi (Go Big Blue Country)
Seven games into the season, it is clear that the Wildcat rushing attack is nowhere near the production level it was in 2016.
That was to be expected with not only the graduation of Jojo Kemp and the early departure of Boom Williams but also the loss of All-SEC center Jon Toth. However, the Wildcats returned sophomore Benny Snell and a deep, experienced offensive line. Yet the numbers haven’t matched up.
Through seven games, the Wildcats running backs have carried the ball 185 times for a combined 768 yards and 6 touchdowns. That is well behind last season’s seven-game line of 206 carries, 1,149 yards, and 11 touchdowns.
In addition to the departures of Kemp, Williams, and Toth, the Wildcats lost two more key contributors from last seasons ground attack. Ramsey Meyers, who started at right guard in 2014 and 2015, decided to forgo his senior year and redshirt senior Cole Mosier suffered a torn ACL during the first fall scrimmage of 2017.
The Wildcats have talent up front but the process of figuring it out has been shaky. Whether it is snap issues, missed assignments, minor injuries, or simply stepping the wrong direction, you name it and the Wildcat offensive line has had it. Junior Bunchy Stallings began the year at center but has since moved back to his natural position at guard. Nick Haynes has played both center and guard until redshirt freshman Drake Jackson took over snapping duties.
That amount of shifting has led to some inconsistencies but even though guys have resumed more of their routine positions, issues have still remained. The offensive line was embarrassed in Starkville last Saturday, as the unit struggled to both run and pass block.
The Wildcats rushed for a total of 115 yards, but 54 of those belonged to quarterback Stephen Johnson. Even when they dropped back to pass, Johnson rarely had time to set his feet and deliver the football to receivers. The UK quarterback repeatedly had to release throws early just to avoid being sacked. On deep balls, the timing between Johnson and his wide receivers have been off, but if you watch the film, the guys up front aren’t giving him much time.
Realistically, no one thought the Wildcats could match the rushing success from 2016, but most thought the offensive line and ground attack would remain the strength. The Wildcats had two 1,000-yard rushers in Boom Williams and Benny Snell, but Kentucky also had seasoned veteran, Jojo Kemp.
This season the Wildcats have relied heavily on Snell, who has carried 133 times for 541 yards and 6 touchdowns. The biggest difference is the drop off of a second and third back behind him. Junior Sihiem King is second on the team in rushing with 203 yards, but Johnson is only five yards behind him at 198.
Fans have been left scratching their heads about the low usage rate of CJ Conrad, especially after the first four games of the season. The truth is the Wildcats have struggled to set up the run-pass option that makes Conrad a weapon inside the red zone. To use Conrad effectively, the Wildcats have to get the ground game rolling and when they do, they have to give Johnson time to deliver the football.
The Wildcats will look to get things right vs. Tennessee this Saturday, a team that ranks 122nd in the country in rush defense. The Volunteers give up 247 yards per game with opponents averaging 5.12 yards per carry.
Saturday sounds like the perfect time to get the ground game moving.
