INSIDE SLANT

The Kentucky quarterback job is firmly back in the hands of true freshman Morgan Newton.

Junior Mike Hartline underwent knee surgery Tuesday and could be done for the rest of the season. There’s a chance Hartline could be available for a bowl game should the Wildcats be playing in one.

Coach Rich Brooks said Hartline won’t be able to put weight on the knee for at least three weeks.

Hartline attempted to play last Saturday against Vanderbilt but was largely ineffective due to pain in his left knee. He injured the knee against South Carolina on Oct. 10 and then missed the next four games.

Kentucky’s passing game has sagged since Hartline was hurt. Kentucky has become a run-oriented team behind Derrick Locke and receiver Randall Cobb since Newton took over at quarterback. The Wildcats’ coaches know the passing game needs to improve.

“Well, calling more pass plays would probably help,” Brooks said. “Then Morgan has to feel comfortable with the reads; he needs to understand that the guys in our colored jerseys are the ones he has to throw it to. We certainly cannot afford turning the ball over.”

Newton has been intercepted three times in 73 attempts but his ratio of interceptions (one every 24.3 attempts) is still better than the more-experienced Hartline (seven in 133 attempts—one every 19 throws).

But the production has dropped off significantly. Newton has just 402 passing yards in five games and Kentucky’s passing offense ranks 112th nationally at just 147.7 yards per game.

The Wildcats (6-4, 2-4 SEC) visit Georgia (6-4, 4-3) this Saturday, and the Bulldogs have been much easier to throw against (213.8 yards per game) than run the ball against (120.3). Passing the ball will be crucial if Kentucky is to win at Georgia for the first time in 32 seasons.

NOTES, QUOTES

• Kentucky has won consecutive SEC road games—at Auburn and Vanderbilt—for the first time since winning at Arkansas and Mississippi State in 2002.

• DT Corey Peters was named SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week after recording five tackles, including 1.5 for loss against Vanderbilt. Peters has nine tackles for losses on the season, second-best on the squad.

Series History:   Georgia leads Kentucky 49-11-2 (last meeting, 42-38 Georgia).

Scouting The Offense:   Kentucky continues to thrive on the ground behind Derrick Locke (741 yards) and receiver Randall Cobb running out of the “WildCobb” formation. Cobb now has more rushing yards than receiving yards (396 to 384). The offensive line has been unsung but highly productive. The passing game struggles have seen Cobb go from catching five or more passes in each of the first three games to catching two or fewer passes in four of his past five outings.

Scouting The Defense:   The Wildcats played a stellar second half against Vanderbilt, limiting the Commodores to 31 yards and one first down while allowing Vanderbilt to possess the ball for just 6 minutes, 56 seconds. The pass defense is up to ninth in the nation (165.6 per game) and LB Sam Maxwell has a team-leading four interceptions. Defensive linemen Corey Peters and DeQuin Evans (team-best 10.5 tackles for losses) are playing well.

Quote To Note:   “We need to win to ensure ourselves of going to a bowl. Bowl eligible doesn’t mean that you are in a bowl. With all probability with the way things are going, we would be. But I would rather not to leave it to chance.”—Coach Rich Brooks, on Kentucky becoming bowl eligible with six victories.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

This Week  ‘S GAME: Kentucky at Georgia, Nov. 21—Trips to Athens don’t normally go well for Kentucky—the Wildcats are just 3-25-2 at Georgia. Kentucky’s most-recent win in Athens was in 1977.

Keys To The Game:   The Wildcats will have to take their chances going strength on strength—their running game vs. Georgia’s run defense. If that doesn’t work, it could be a long game for Kentucky QB Morgan Newton.

Players To Watch:  

WR Randall Cobb—Has thrived in the “WildCobb” formation and will be needed there a lot this week if Kentucky again struggles to throw the ball. Cobb has a team-best 12 touchdowns, seven of which have come on the ground.

QB Morgan Newton—Georgia has been vulnerable to the pass, but the freshman has thrown for less than 100 yards in three of his five starts. Saturday would be a good time for him to emerge.

CB Trevard Lindley—Georgia QB Joe Cox has been erratic with 12 interceptions, and the Wildcats’ star corner would like to notch an interception.

Roster Report:  

• WR Randall Cobb has a bruised shoulder and will receive a light practice workload in advance of the Georgia game.

• TE T.C. Drake will miss his second consecutive contest because of a groin injury.

• WR Chris Matthews won’t be involved in contact all week after suffering a mild concussion but is expected to play against Georgia.

• CB Paul Warford (wrist) will play against Georgia.