John Clay’s Sidelines

Besides going 1-of-16 on third-down situations, the UK offense managed just 218 total yards in the 24-17 loss to South Carolina today. Some historical perspective concerning the performance:

• South Carolina outgained UK 348-218, a 130-yard difference. That’s the biggest difference, in the opponents’ favor, in an SEC game since LSU outgained UK by 319 yards in that infamous 49-0 loss to the Tigers in Baton Rouge in 2006.

• UK’s 218 total yards is the lowest total in an SEC game since the Cats gained just 199 yards at Georgia in 2005. The Bulldogs won that game 45-13.

• UK averaged just 3.30 yards per play today, gaining 218 yards on 66 plays. That’s the lowest average in a conference tilt since the 2005 season finale against Tennessee. The Cats ran 74 plays for just 223 yards, a 3.01 average that day. Tennessee won 27-8.

• Kentucky averaged 3.55 yards per pass today — 156 yards on 44 attempts. That’s the lowest in any game since that 2005 game at Georgia. That day the Cats threw for 100 yards on 33 attempts for an average of 3.03. Most judge seven yards per pass attempt an acceptable average.

• Mike Hartline’s passing rating was 73.9, lowest by a UK quarterback since Andre Woodson’s 66.7 in that 2006 LSU game. Hartline was 23 of 43 for 152 yards with two intercetpions and no touchdowns today. Woodson was 14 of 37 for 151 yards with no touchdowns and one interception against LSU.