Kentucky’s defense is actually worse than it was when Joker Phillips was coach.
During Joker Phillips’ ill-fated three-year tenure (2010-12) as Kentucky head coach, the worst UK defense (2012) surrendered an average of 391 total yards a game.
In Stoops’ first five seasons, the best UK defense (2015) surrendered an average of 394.2 yards a game.
Story also notes that Kentucky’s defense is giving up more than 400 yards in 59 percent of its games under Stoops, a 13.1 percent increase from the Joker days. Ouch. With Josh Allen, Mike Edwards, and Jordan Jones back, Kentucky’s defense has the talent to hold their own, but will they?