By: LARRY VAUGHT
Boom Williams is Kentucky’s leading rusher and considered one of the top running backs in the Southeastern Conference.
Yet going into Saturday’s game with Eastern Kentucky it is JoJo Kemp, not Williams, listed No. 1 on the depth chart at running back.
Williams has rushed for 343 yards and one score while averaging 7.3 yards per carry this year. Kemp has gained 204 yards with one score and averaged 5.4 yards per try. However, in last week’s win over Missouri Williams had just seven carries for 21 yards — all in the first half — while Kemp had 13 attempts for 66 yards and helped UK run out the clock in the win.
“The thinking there is that is the way we game went. Jojo was the guy that did some things in the game and he deserves an opportunity,” Stoops said Monday at his weekly press conference. “Again, you guys (in the media) get hung up on the depth chart and believe me it is important to our players as well — all of our players. We take all of that into consideration, but we need all of our players to compete at a high level all the time to help us win games.”
It was obvious Williams was not happy as he left the field at halftime and apparently was scolded by Stoops for failing to pick up a blitz. Again after the game Williams was one of the first players off the field while his teammates stayed to celebrate.
“I am waiting to visit with him myself. He had some academic responsibilities all morning,” Stoops said Monday. “I have been trying to get him into my office prior to this conference. I haven’t been able to get the time. We will meet before our meetings this afternoon.”
He said blocking was not the issue as some speculated.
“Was it up to snuff or not? Just like some of our guys there are always things that we can critique them on and do better,” Stoops said. “That (blocking) is not the issue. I guess I am not insinuating that there is an issue, but there could be I guess. We will look at it.
“I need to talk to Boom. I don’t want to say anything or insinuate anything. I need to talk to him.”
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