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UK Football: Brooks critiques plays against Louisville

September 02, 2008|LARRY VAUGHT

LEXINGTON - His offensive line didn't block the way he wanted and the running backs didn't always run as hard, or into the right hole, as he wanted.

Yet Kentucky coach Rich Brooks found another group to also blame for Kentucky's anemic 63 yards rushing in Sunday's 27-2 win at Louisville.

"Our backs have to hit the hole, and not guess where it will be, and run into the pile," said Brooks Tuesday. "But our receivers have to block. Everybody talks about the passing game, but hell, those receivers have to block. We didn't get a lot of that. You don't get long runs unless someone is down the field tying up DBs (defensive backs)."

Cobb glad to be with quarterbacks

Kentucky freshman Randall Cobb had three catches in his collegiate debut at Louisville. However, he was glad he was with the quarterbacks, and not the receivers, when the game tape was reviewed Monday.

"We made a lot of mistakes and the coaches were not happy with the way we blocked," Cobb said. "We (the receivers) all thought we did pretty well, but we made a lot of mistakes that we have to correct. The coaches made that pretty clear to all of us."

Kentucky will play its home opener Saturday against Norfolk State, the first of three straight home games before the Cats go on the road to start Southeastern Conference play at Alabama next month.

Brooks emphasized Monday that improving the running attack would be a major emphasis.

"The line needs to be more aggressive blocking in the run game. That would include the receivers, too," Brooks said. "They all think they can just go catch damn balls. Our receivers have to be physical and block."

He said receivers Keenan Burton and Steve Johnson, both now on NFL roster, "took it serious" the last two years when it came to blocking and competing in practice.

Brooks said one reason he played junior DeMoreo Ford, who is still recovering from offseason knee surgery, is because of his experience and competitiveness.

"I would say his quad strength is probably 70 percent. That's not good enough. He can't run well. But he knows what he is doing and he will compete even if he is on a leg and a half," Brooks said.

"Some of our other receivers need to learn that from him. Somehow now some guys think all they've got do is catch the ball. I am going to tell you some guys are going to be sitting on the bench you might not expect if they don't start competing."

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