Saturday, October 16, 1999
UK defense becoming strength
The Associated Press
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Like newlyweds adjusting to domestic life, it took Kentucky's defensive players a few weeks to figure things out, defensive coordinator Mike Major said.
“It's kind of like a marriage — you've got to know where your place is, where you put your toothbrush,” Major said this week. “And these guys have got to understand where their fits are with each other.”
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LSU at UK
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• Kickoff: 12:30p.m. today at Commonwealth Stadium (67,350), Lexington.
• Records: UK 4-2 (2-1 SEC),
LSU 2-3 (0-3).
• TV: Ch.25 (WBQC).
• Radio: WSAI-AM (1530), WNKR-FM (106.5 FM).
• Series: LSU leads 34-14-1 (last: 1998, UK 39-36).
• Line: UK by 31/2.• What to watch: The Tigers have lost six consecutive SEC games. After leading the league in rushing two of the past three years, they rank ninth in the SEC this fall. UK, ranked 11th nationally in passing offense, will look to James Whalen Jr., who leads the nation's tight ends in receptions (50), yards (573) and TDs (five).
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Just more than two weeks ago, in the wake of a 38-10 loss to Florida, the Wildcats were giving up an average of 392.8 yards and 35.7 points a game, both worst in the Southeastern Conference.
Now, after dominating defensive performances in back-to-back wins over Arkansas and South Carolina, the Wildcats are 4-2, 2-1 in the SEC. With a victory today over visiting LSU, Kentucky would be within a win of a second straight bowl berth.
“I think we're improving every week,” Major said. “Our kids are understanding the concepts. They understand how to play with each other, and that's the biggest thing you've got to have.”
In a 31-20 win over Arkansas, the Wildcats limited the Razorbacks to 315 yards and their lowest point total in Houston Nutt's tenure as coach, forcing three Arkansas turnovers.
And in last weekend's 30-10 win at South Carolina, Kentucky held the Gamecocks to just three points and 79 yards of total offense in the first three quarters, forcing four turn overs.
The suddenly stifling Kentucky “D” is no surprise to LSU coach Gerry DiNardo.
“Their defense — this is probably the best defense I remember playing against Kentucky,” DiNardo said. “This is my ninth year in a row against Kentucky. I'd say this is the best defense I can recall in nine years. They've got good players, and better than that, they play really hard.”
“They're fast, and they're typical of this conference,” DiNardo said. “They play exceptionally hard. So our offense obviously has a tremendous challenge.”
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