Three takeaways from Kentucky football’s loss to Missouri at Kroger Field
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Game day: Missouri 38, No. 24 Kentucky 21
Click below for more of the Herald-Leader’s and Kentucky.com’s coverage of Saturday’s Kentucky-Missouri football game at Kroger Field.
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Three takeaways from Kentucky football’s 38-21 loss to the Missouri Tigers on Saturday night at Kroger Field
1. First rule of football is don’t beat yourself
Kentucky committed 14 penalties for 122 yards on Saturday. That could be your one and only takeaway right there. It’s hard to win a football game when you are penalized 14 times for 122 yards. Missouri played with a purpose. Kentucky played with a lack of poise.
“The lack of discipline is something that’s standing out and bothers me,” head coach Mark Stoops said afterward.
Example: UK defensive back Zion Childress was called for an unsportsmanlike penalty for throwing the ball back at a Missouri player when the Tigers converted a third-and-2 at the UK 44-yard line. The 12-yard gain plus the 15 yards of the penalty spotted the ball at the Kentucky 17. The possession ended with Harrison Mevis booting a 25-yard field goal to cut the UK lead to 14-10 with 4:44 left in the first half.
Example: In the second half, UK defensive lineman Kahlil Saunders was called for a roughing the passer penalty and an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on a failed Missouri two-point conversion try. Given another chance, this time from the one-and-a-half yard line, Missouri converted for a 28-21 lead.
This isn’t new. In last week’s 51-13 drubbing at Georgia, sophomore defensive lineman Deone Walker was called for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for leveling a Bulldog well after the play was over. A possession that should have ended in a Georgia punt instead ended in a Georgia score.
The laundry list goes on. The Cats were called for four offensive holding penalties and two false starts. Andru Phillips was called for pass interference when he was beaten on a Missouri flea-flicker. Walker was called for an offsides penalty on a second-and-6 from the Missouri 16 in the fourth quarter.
“I don’t want to point fingers at the team,” said Stoops when asked if there’s a leadership void on this team. “I have to own that and I will.”
2. Kentucky’s passing game woes continue
This time, it wasn’t the passer. For three quarters, at least, transfer quarterback Devin Leary might have played his best game in a Kentucky uniform. There were few errant throws. Given time, his passes were on time and on target. He made good decisions when scrambling.
At the end of the night, the senior was a mere 14 of 27 for 120 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
“We need to do more to help out the quarterback,” Stoops said.
There were drops. Again, there were drops. Catchable balls didn’t get caught. Freshman Anthony Brown-Stephens couldn’t come up with a couple of passes that would have been big plays. And he wasn’t alone.
Moreover, Kentucky’s biggest problem Saturday was pass protection. Forced into predictable pass situations, the Cats couldn’t protect Leary. Having to throw while playing from behind, the Cats couldn’t protect Leary, who was sacked four times.
“They got a little more aggressive,” UK offensive coordinator Liam Coen said of Missouri, “but we turned some defensive linemen loose.”
By the fourth quarter, Leary was forced to forcing throws, trying to make a big play. Twice that resulted in interceptions.
“We just have to throw and catch better,” Coen said.
3. Bring on the bye week
Coen said he’d rather get back out there and play next week rather than have an open week. Then again, the offensive coordinator admitted that the team needs to get healthy and the extra work.
“We need this off week to take a good look at ourselves and improve in a lot of areas,” Stoops said.
Linebacker Trevin Wallace missed Saturday’s game. Though Daveren Rayner played well in his absence, the Cats need Wallace back. Offensive guard Jager Burton also missed Saturday. Stoops said afterward that the injured Burton wanted desperately to play, but the decision was made to hold him out.
There are other bumps and bruises. Wide receivers Barion Brown and Tayvion Robinson have both played hurt the last couple of weeks. Offensive guard Kenneth Horsey returned Saturday. It was his first game since being injured in the opener way back Sept. 2. You’d have to suspect he was a bit rusty.
Then there’s this team’s psyche. After a 5-0 start, the Cats have been outscored 89-34 over the last two games. Starting with Missouri’s fake punt for a 39-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter, the Tigers outscored Kentucky 38-7. Mizzou scored four touchdowns, kicked three field goals, missed a field goal and punted once in nine possessions.
Kentucky outgained Missouri 151-16 in the first quarter. Missouri outgained Kentucky 308-153 over the final three quarters.
“Frustration is a big piece of some of this tonight,” Stoops said. “Guys are frustrated.”
It doesn’t get any easier after the bye week. Tennessee improved to 5-1 with a win over visiting Texas A&M on Saturday. The Vols come to Kroger Field on Oct. 28.
This story was originally published October 15, 2023 at 12:57 AM.
