It wasnt always pretty,but the Cats are bowl eligible once again after a 38 to 20 route of Vandy on Senior Day. This years class of seniors have certainly been a fundamental piece of modern day University of Kentucky football history.Heres to you seniors,youre efforts are more than appreciated. Mike Hartline, while possibly the most scrutinized player to ever wear the blue and white, has had a fantastic senior season and quite frankly a really good career.He has done more than what was asked of him.It hasnt been a love affair and there have been some dark times,but I guarantee this team will miss Mike next year. Derrick Locke has been one of the better running backs in Kentucky history and most certainly would be in the top two of the SEC in rushing this year if it hadnt been for injury.Locke has had a great career and we will definately miss his break away speed and athleticism.This class of talented players epitomized not only what it means to be a student athlete but also good role models .This University has been better off with the faces of Lumpkin,Allen,Matthews,Locke and the others and they will truly be missed.
Once again THE Randall Cobb put on his big boy pants and helped carry this team across the finish line Saturday. He is simply amazing.There really are no words to describe what his play does for this team,lose him to the NFL next season and we will certainly feel the effects immediately. He is a gamechanger. When this team has needed inspiration or a big play this young man has consistently come through for them.His career high 170 yards on the ground lifted this teams spirits and helped them to lose that sluggish mentality they started the game with.His breakway run for 73 yards on the scramble did wonders for the play of this team.Not only was it a momentum changer,it also boosted the confidence of the offensive line and the rest of the team.
Once again the defense strruggled against the rush. Even with Vandy completley depleted at the RB posistion they still rushed for over 200 yards against the Cats.If you consider that a defensive back had 17 yards rushing against this D,frustration starts to creep in.But that has been the story the entire season for this squad.
Danny Trevathan had another solid game,and continues to prove each and every week that he is the best defensive player Kentucky has.When its all said and done this young man has the chance to be one of the best LB's Kentucky has ever seen. Winston "Headhunter" Guy had a decent game.While he and his counterparts struggled early they did finish strong and provided excellent run support against the Commodores.
Mike Hartline while coming out almost sluggish in the first half rallied along with the rest of the team and put up his usual numbers of over 200 yds passing and a completion percentage in the 60's and threw for a TD.While arguably not his best game this season he was productive and had 0 turnovers.You cant ask for much more out of your QB.
Joker told the media that he left the halftime speeches to his players and simply told them if they werent going to play dont bother coming back out for the second half.This speaks volumes for this teams emotional leaders.DT Ricky Lumpkin said some things to get these guys fired up and they responded.This is exactly what you need from your seniors,especially on a day that we celebrated their success.They said what needed to be said and came out in the second half with renewed fire and passion.If only we couldve started the first half with this passion this year, we just mightve been legitimate contenders for an SEC east title.
What seemed at times to be a dissapointing season has turned into another year of bowling for the CAts and thats always something to cheer about.
Go Cats!!!!!!!!!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment