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Week 9 position battle: Kentucky QB situation key issue in SEC East
By Alex Zorn
Published:
In four days Kentucky (4-3, 2-3 SEC) and Tennessee (3-4, 1-3 SEC) are set to square off in a game that could decide which team finishes the season with a winning record. After losing 42-16 against Mississippi State last week, look for Kentucky to make some adjustments on offense and defense, including a possible change at quarterback.
SEC East in-team position battle: Kentucky Quarterback- starter Patrick Towles vs. freshman Drew Barker
After a promising sophomore season, QB Patrick Towles has, as many Kentucky fans will tell you, regressed somewhat in his junior year, throwing just as many interceptions, nine, with six fewer touchdowns. While freshman QB Drew Barker could still use a bit of time to develop, after back-to-back games without a touchdown pass the clock is ticking on Bowles’ future in Lexington.
STOOPS: Drew (Barker) did a good job. I was glad he could get some reps. It was good for him. He looked comfortable & made good decisions.
— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) October 26, 2015
In the game’s final two drives last week, Barker was given the reins to the Kentucky offense for the first time. Though the No. 6 pro-style quarterback of 2014 according to 247Sports threw an interception on his first series, he finished 7-for-9 for 42 yards as his 15 snaps are all Wildcats fans seem to want to talk about.
Amongst Kentucky's issues, Quarterback is not high on my list tonight…some much bigger problems to fix over next 5 games
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) October 25, 2015
Former UK QB Jared Lorenzen tweeted his support for Towles.
No Drew does not need more time to play, it's Pats team. We sucked tonight, no easy way to put it. Regroup and get ready for Tenn. #BBN
— jared lorenzen (@JaredLorenzen22) October 25, 2015
Saturday’s game against Tennessee will be a big one for a Kentucky team on the wrong end of a two-game losing streak. Another loss or two and Mark Stoops and the Kentucky coaching staff may want begin the Drew Barker era earlier than expected.
