Do not sleep on Kentucky’s running game

Will Stein‘s offenses at UTSA and Oregon all had star quarterbacks. Each put up video game numbers and played a big role in offenses that all ranked top-15 nationally in points per drive, but they can’t do it alone. This offense wants to have balance. Big Blue Nation saw that balance in Stein’s debut.

Kenny Minchey completed 67 percent of his passes and posted 11.8 yards per dropback in an impressive debut. The quarterback felt like the start of the game, but the Notre Dame transfer does not have the big performance without offensive balance.

Stein’s offense mixes tempos, plays with a large volume of personnel groupings, and will be aggressive with the passing game. This offensive staff will scheme up some easy completions and will scheme up some wrinkles in the run game. They will also just line up and attempt to pound the rock with the traditional run game. UTSA had two running backs rush for 600-plus yards. Oregon had five running backs reach 600 yards, with Bucky Irving (2023) and Jordan James (2024) each clearing 1,000 yards. This offense will pass the ball, but balance makes this thing go. We saw that balance on Saturday.

“We were able to run the ball,” Stein said in his press conference opening statement. “Able to give them a bunch of personnel groupings to keep them on their toes and different tempos. So, we rushed the ball for…301 passing, 205 rushing, so that’s very balanced.”

Jason Patterson recorded 78 yards on 11 carries with the longest gain (22 yards) on the ground in the game. Texas transfer CJ Baxter got all of his work early with 48 yards on nine attempts with a pair of touchdowns. Martels Carter Jr. chipped in 37 yards on five carries. Minchey picked up 17 yards on a scramble. Junior college transfer Ahmir Smith had 13 yards in garbage time. UK also got wide receiver Kenny Darby and tight end Mikkel Skinner involved in the running game.

The traditional run game (running back carries only) finished Saturday with 176 rushing yards on 27 carries. Kentucky averaged 6.5 yards per rush and consistently got the offense in good down-and-distance situations. That created easier passing opportunities for the offense.

Expectations will remain high for this program at quarterback. The Wildcats are making noise at this position in recruiting, and Stein’s impressive track record speaks for itself. This team will do some very good things throwing the football, but they need an established running game to help them throw the football. Being able to reset the line of scrimmage and keep the defense off balance with running back carries is what will keep defenses honest. Stein’s offenses have gotten terrific quarterback performances that were buoyed by a strong running game. The plan will be the same at Kentucky.

This ground attack looked the part in its debut. It could be this offense’s secret sauce all season.