Cats prepare freshman Jalen Whitlow for the start

Morgan Newton may have very easily played his last snap at quarterback at the University of Kentucky. I just don’t see them throwing him back under fire after his performance on Saturday when he completed just 33-percent of his passes, averaged 2.3 yards an attempt and threw three interceptions.

With Maxwell Smith still uncertain for the game on Saturday vs. No. 6 South Carolina, the UK coaching staff is preparing freshman Jalen Whitlow for the start. Whitlow threw six passes on Saturday, completing just one. But, to his defense his first action of the game came at his own six-yard line. Not the best spot to put a freshman quarterback.

Smith is still suffering from a bruised AC joint in his right shoulder. He will not practice today and the coaching staff is listing him at day-to-day. Head coach Joker Phillips did say that he was further along this week than he was last week at this time.

After Saturday’s performance the importance of Smith starting at quarterback is obvoius. He gets the system. He can make throws. And with him under center they can move the football. Without him it is an absolute cluster.

If Whitlow is forced to go he does provide the UK offense with a run/pass option, something that Newton does not provide. And that is why I never see him having success at H-back. He’s just not that fast.