Mark Stoops’ early-season evaluation of his team has come to fruition since UK had its first bye week at the tail-end of a three-game losing streak.
The aforementioned coach-speak, arguably Stoops’ greatest coach-speak, referred to the play of his defensive front seven. Arguably UK’s most experienced and talented group, Kentucky’s success would be determined by how its defense performed in-between the tackles.
Kentucky struggled to find consistent production early in the season. Boogie Watson, the heir apparent to Josh Allen, only had a half-sack through the first four games. His “coming to Jesus” talk with Brad White, before a two-sack night at South Carolina, coincided with the moment Stoops said the team came together.