Dawgs Escape a Shootout in Lexington

First things first. The Dawgs won! We are 8-2, CMR now has 80 wins through almost 8 seasons, and the offense played great!

However, the Defense flat out stunk! UK came in averaging 16 ppg in SEC play and yet they hung 38 on the Dawgs! We have now given up 41, 38, 49, and 38 in 4 out of our first 6 SEC games this year. We are near the bottom of the SEC and in the middle of the NCAA in every defensive statistical category, except Rush YPG (even though the best teams have ran the ball with ease against us). I have defended Willie Martinez throughout the last 4 seasons, but I can no longer. Our offense came out today and played with passion, marching the ball down the field on it's first two drives. On the other side of the ball our defense played without emotion, played out of position, and missed tackles. There is no excuse for UK to put up 38 points on this defense. Our defense has always been a perceived strength for CMR coached teams, yet this year it has become a liability. In Willie's first few seasons the Dawgs would have about one defensive meltdown per season, this year we have had 4, with 3 games to go.

I am very pleased with the win, and I am glad that our guys were able to come out on top in a tough game after being embarrassed last week in Jacksonville. Yet this team is lacking a killer instinct on defense. I know we have 3 games to go this year, however I can't help but look forward to next season. If we expect to compete for an SECCG next season then some serious changes are going to have to be made on the defensive side of the ball.