Mark Stoops has a lot of confidence in Bush Hamdan

The Kentucky offense has left much to be desired through seven games of the 2024 season. The Wildcats scored 20 points at Florida. That’s the high watermark for the team in SEC play. They have not scored more than two offensive touchdowns in a game against an SEC foe.

Clearly, that is not good enough to win games in this league.

They struggle to produce explosive plays, but they got a 45-yard touchdown on a flea-flicker. They could have built on that momentum by punching the ball into the end zone following a Florida interception, but the Cats were stuffed at the goal line. It was one of two drives that ended inside the Florida 25-yard line without any points.

“It’s been a bug that’s been with us all year,” offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan said after the loss.

“I think there’s drives where we look how we need to look. Again, it’s just a lack of consistency to finish drives, whatever the case may be. It’s just a frustrating situation. We had the ball on the 3-yard line there early and not be able to punch it in.”

Turnover on Offense Adds Up for Kentucky

Kentucky only completed 12 passes. There were 18 third or fourth down situations and the Cats converted just five times. That’s bad football. And yet, it’s something we’ve seen frequently this season. Many fans are fed up with the bad offense, but Mark Stoops isn’t putting all of this group’s shortcomings on his offensive coordinator’s shoulders.

“I have a lot of confidence in Bush,” Stoops said. “He’s been handed — it’s tough. We’re not going to point any fingers. Put it on me. We’ll go back to work. There’s been opportunities… but it’s like each game we’re shooting ourselves in the foot, so close that it wouldn’t at least be so eye-popping if we get several other possessions in the end zone. And those are the things that we’ll just keep on working.”

Hamdan is the fifth different play-caller in as many years. Kentucky has had a different starting quarterback in each of the last three seasons. There have been new position coaches at every single position group except tight end over the last two seasons. It all adds up to bad offense, but Hamdan isn’t using it as an excuse.

“I don’t know if that’s it. I don’t really think about all that stuff,” said the offensive coordinator.

“It’s year to year our job to put them in the right position to be successful. As you guys know, all we know is to go back to the film, digesting it, taking it one step at a time, and get back to work. I think there’s certainly some things left on the table overall. The consistency’s the biggest issue and it starts with me.”

We all know why Kentucky is in this situation. We do not know how to fix it or if they have the right guys to get it done. One thing is clear, the Cats will keep losing if the offense continues to leave points off the scoreboard.

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