"Since their loss to Tennessee, they have become a more physical football team," Kentucky coach Rich Brooks said. "They are running the ball well. The establishment of that running game has helped Stafford throw the ball down the field. Stafford has made tremendous progress since we saw him a year ago. He is one of the top echelon quarterbacks in the conference."
Brooks thinks Moreno will soon be one of those marquee players as well. He has rushed for 1,104 yards and 11 touchdowns this season, including 642 yards and eight touchdowns in the last four games.
"He is a big-time back. If we don't wrap him up and knock him back some, we are in for a long day," Brooks said. "He not only has speed and ability, but he runs like he is mad. Just in the film I looked at, there are times when you think he is down and all of a sudden he spins out, puts a hand on the ground and makes more yards. He is an angry runner."
Brooks says UK must limit Georgia's rushing success, especially on first down. That will also negate Stafford's success.
"Their running game certainly has helped their pass protection, much like early in the season our running the ball helped our pass protection," Brooks said. "Once you do not run it very well, it is more difficult to pass block as well."
Georgia sacking quarterbacks
Georgia has 12 quarterback sacks in its last three games, a bad omen for a Kentucky offensive line that has struggled to protect Woodson in the last three games.
"On the whole, it is the best offensive line since I have been here," Brooks said. "We would not be sitting at 7-3 if it had not performed well. That doesn't mean I am always going to sprinkle the rose petals on them. They didn't play well last week (at Vanderbilt), and they know it. Certainly Georgia is going to be a severe test for our offensive line. We have to make sure we don't beat ourselves by making mental mistakes in run blocking or pass blocking."
While Georgia is tied for fifth in the nation with only 11 turnovers, its defense has forced six turnovers in the last two games.
"Defensively, they have good speed and any team that can dismantle Auburn like they did last weekend has to catch everyone's attention," Brooks said. "Other than the Mississippi State when we had six turnovers and State played well, we have moved the ball. The low point was that 14-point effort (against Mississippi State).
"We have been a consistent offensive team. Our running game has suffered some recently and we need to get it cranked back up. (Quarterback) Andre (Woodson) has been very good. He has done a good job even under a good pass rush."
Brooks says his team has "regressed" since its win over No. 1 LSU.
"We have to get back to being more cohesive. Defensively, tackle a little better. Offensively, block a little better. The only thing that really improved from our week off (against Vanderbilt) was our special teams play. We need to get better if expect to win next two games," Brooks said.
He blamed himself for worrying more about keeping players fresh and healthy in practice recently instead of stressing the same fundamentals and work ethic he did earlier in the season.
"I forgot football was a game of blocking and tackling. We are going to go back this week to fundamentals. If we get somebody dinged, we will. Just lay it all on my shoulders," he said.
