Must-Win Looms and Cats name a NEW Starting Quarterback to provide spark

Coming off the beat down from the Floirida Gators Saturday, it was pertinent to make changes. Off the loss, Rich Brooks called the coming game verse Mississippi State a “Must-Win.” And so Monday, in a move Kentucky fans and players have been wanting all season, Coach Brooks announced that freshman Randall Cobb will start at quarterback for the first time in his career.

The motion to turn to Cobb at quarterback began early in the year when sophomore Mike Hartline led an unproductive opening quarter against the lowly Norfolk State Spartans. Hartline was replaced in the second quarter of the game by Cobb who performed well in his only quarter of action by throwing for a touchdown and rushing for two other scores. After the initial spark Cobb delivered to the Cats offense, Hartline was again inserted at quarterback in the second half and was welcomed by boo-birded home fans.

Through the remainder of September and half way through conference play, Coach Brooks stood by Hartline as the quarterback of the team. Hartline produced less than satisfactory numbers completing only 54% of his throws this season and consistently made costly errors in crucial game situations.

Cobb, however, electrified the Wildcat fan base and has sparked the offense each time he headed the offense. With less snaps and opportunities Cobb has a better passer rating and completion percentage than Hartline. Also, Randall Cobb’s mere presence in games has lent to a more efficient offense.

Hoping for a change of momentum, the Wildcats are going to a true freshman at quarterback, and as Rich Brooks put it in his weekly press conference, “ This is a game Kentucky cannot afford to lose,” and to maintain hopes for a bowl and a winning season Brooks see’s no better time than now to make a change at the quarterback position.