Kentucky football vs. South Alabama is the next challenge for the Wildcats after Will Stein and his team delivered one of the biggest wins of the young season against Texas A&M Aggies on Saturday afternoon. Kentucky returns home with plenty of momentum following their 31-21 upset. The South Alabama Jaguars come to Kroger Field looking to slow down a Wildcats team that is gaining confidence on both sides of the ball.
Kentucky walked into Kyle Field and left with a 31-21 victory over a ranked Texas A&M team. The Wildcats showed toughness, responded after a tight first half, and exploded for 21 unanswered points in the third quarter. Now they have to do it again. Not necessarily in the same way, but Kentucky needs to bring the same focus and physicality to Kroger Field.
This is where Will Stein’s team has to show some maturity. A big SEC road win can create plenty of excitement around a program, but the next game still has to be played. South Alabama will have its own game plan and will aim not to let the Wildcats carry their momentum into another easy victory. Kentucky needs to start fast, avoid unnecessary mistakes, and make the Jaguars uncomfortable early.
South Alabama provides an opportunity for Kentucky’s offense to continue building confidence. Kenny Minchey is coming off an important performance against Texas A&M, and his development will remain one of the biggest storylines for the Wildcats. The goal against the Jaguars should not be for Minchey to force big plays. It should be about playing within the offense.
Quick throws, RPOs, designed runs and the running game can help Kentucky establish control. If the Wildcats are able to consistently stay ahead of the chains, that should open up more opportunities downfield later in the game. Kentucky also has legitimate weapons on the outside.
Nic Anderson gives Minchey a big target who can create matchup problems, especially in the red zone. Kenny Darby brings another element with his speed and ability to create separation. The Wildcats do not need to throw the ball 40 times. They need to make South Alabama defend the entire field. If the Jaguars start loading the box to stop Kentucky’s running game, that could create opportunities for Minchey and the Wildcats’ receivers.
The Wildcats backfield has plenty of talent. CJ Baxter and Jovantae Barnes give Kentucky two experienced options, while Jason Patterson has also been part of the rotation.
This is the kind of game where the Wildcats should want its running backs to make an impact early. Kentucky can establish the run, control the tempo and keep South Alabama’s defense from becoming too aggressive. It also takes some pressure off Minchey and allow the Wildcats to use the entire offensive playbook.
The Jaguars, however, have shown that it can run the football. Keenan Phillips, PJ Martin and Trae’von Dunbar have combined for 575 rushing yards and seven touchdowns through three games. Phillips rushed for 116 yards and a touchdown against Ohio, while Martin and Dunbar also found the end zone. That is something the Wildcats cannot overlook.
Kentucky cannot afford to lose the battle at the line of scrimmage. If the Wildcats’ offensive line controls the game and the running backs consistently gain positive yards, they should be able to dictate the pace.
Kentucky’s handling of the South Alabama rushing attack could be the biggest key to the game. Defensive coordinator Jay Bateman’s unit has quickly become one of the most interesting parts of the Wildcats football team. They have shown that they can make critical stops when they absolutely have to. They did it against Texas A&M.
On the Aggies’ opening drive, Texas A&M moved the ball 76 yards and appeared to be in position to score. Instead, Kentucky stopped the Aggies on fourth-and-inches near the goal line. Sam Greene made the play, stopping Rueben Owens II for no gain. Those are the types of plays that can change a football game. The Wildcats needs more of them against the Jaguars.
The first Kentucky priority should be stopping the run. If South Alabama is consistently picking up five or six yards on first down, they will be able to keep the playbook wide open. That is when things can become difficult.
The Wildcats need to force the Jaguars into obvious passing situations. If Kentucky can do that, the defensive front can become more aggressive, and the Wildcats’ defensive backs can start attacking the football rather than constantly reacting to the run.
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Kentucky football enters the South Alabama matchup with something it did not have a few weeks ago:
Real momentum.
The 31-21 Wildcats win over Texas A&M gave Will Stein his first SEC victory and showed what this Kentucky team can look like when the offense and defense are playing together. Now the Wildcats have to prove they can carry that performance into Kroger Field.
The Jaguars will provide a different challenge, especially with its ability to run the football. Kentucky’s defense has to stay disciplined, while Kenny Minchey and the offense need to continue building confidence.
For the Wildcats, the goal is bigger than simply beating South Alabama. It is about continuing to build the foundation of the Stein era and protecting the momentum from the win over the Aggies. Kentucky needs to show that the Wildcats’ are capable of putting together strong performances week after week.
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