As you may have heard, Kentucky converted just 1-of-16 third down situations in the 24-17 loss to South Carolina today at Commonwealth. The Cats were 1-of-10 in the first half on third down and 0-for-6 in the second half. That’s not going to win many games.
If you break it down, eight of the third downs required six yards or more to get the first down. The Cats converted one of those. They faced eight third down situations of five yards or less and did not convert a single one. That’s not going to win many games.
Below is a chart listing the third downs. Under play, the entries that start with H- mean Hartline pass to the receiver listed.
| No | Q | Down | Play | Gain | Total |
| 1 | 1 | 3-12 on 26 | H-Grinter | 3 | 0-of-1 |
| 2 | 1 | 3-5 on 37 | H-Locke | inc | 0-of-2 |
| 3 | 1 | 3-5 on 25 | H-Lyons | int | 0-of-3 |
| 4 | 1 | 3-8 on 49 | Hartline | 3 | 0-of-4 |
| 5 | 2 | 3-10 on op11 | H-Lyons | 8 | 0-of-5 |
| 6 | 2 | 3-5 on 15 | H-Cobb | 2 | 0-of-6 |
| 7 | 2 | 3-6 on op33 | H-Locke | 14 | 1-of-7 |
| 8 | 2 | 3-3 on 45 | Locke | 2 | 1-of-8 |
| 9 | 2 | 3-10 on op37 | H-Locke | 4 | 1-of-9 |
| 10 | 2 | 3-5 on 50 | H-Adeyemi | inc | 1-of-10 |
| 11 | 3 | 3-11 on op20 | Hartline | -7 | 1-of-11 |
| 12 | 3 | 3-4 on 29 | H-Adams | inc | 1-of-12 |
| 13 | 4 | 3-4 on 32 | H-Conner | -2 | 1-of-13 |
| 14 | 4 | 3-7 on 23 | H-Adeyemi | inc | 1-of-14 |
| 15 | 4 | 3-4 on 28 | H-Grinter | inc | 1-of-15 |
| 16 | 4 | 3-10 on 33 | H-Adeyemi | inc | 1-of-16 |
Gee John Two More Wins and Brooks can go to the Music City Bowl for a third time. Kentucky looks great for a top 25 team. Number 2 defense, Number 100 Offense.