UK defense struggles in first three games
LOUISVILLE, KY - SEPTEMBER 04: Joker Phillips the Head Coach of the Kentucky Wildcats gives instructions to his team during the game against the Louisville Cardinals at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on September 4, 2010 in Louisville, …
Posted: 09/21/2012
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By: Associated Press
LEXINGTON, Ky. - Fittingly, Kentucky offers little defense for its lack of it.
The Wildcats (1-2) enter their Southeastern Conference opener Saturday at No. 14 Florida (3-0, 2-0) allowing nearly 400 yards per game. That doesn't bode well for Kentucky against a Gators' offense averaging almost 410 yards a contest.
Kentucky's challenge will be stopping Florida's run game, now the Gators' first option after a golden era of passing.
Replacing six starters with young personnel explains some of the Wildcats' problems, but the biggest might be their failure to grasp a basic defensive requirement: tackling.
Kentucky defenders often use shoulders when arms are required or fail to fully wrap up ball carriers.
Coach Joker Phillips and his players agree the Kentucky's defense has been too generous and needs to correct the problem.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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