Charlotte 49ers at Kentucky Wildcats: Gameday
Charlotte (2-8, 0-7) at Kentucky (4-6, 2-6)
7:30 p.m., Commonwealth Stadium, Lexington, Ky.
TV: SEC Network (Charlotte cable channel 380)
Radio: WFNZ, 610. Pregame show at 6:30 p.m.
SCOUTING KENTUCKY
The 49ers arrive in Lexington, Ky., just in time for a quarterback change. Wildcats coach Mark Stoops has replaced junior Patrick Towles with redshirt freshman Drew Barker, a four-star recruit. Many Kentucky fans had been asking for the change. Barker completed 5-of-8 passes (with a touchdown and an interception) in the second half of last week’s 21-17 loss at Vanderbilt. This will be Barker’s first start at quarterback.The running attack is led by sophomore Boom Williams, who ran for 115 yards against Vanderbilt in his best outing of the season. The Wildcats have come under criticism from fans in the past few weeks, and Stoops told listeners in his weekly coach’s show Monday that he “completely understands the frustration of fans.” Kentucky’s secondary was a weak spot earlier in the season but has improved in recent weeks. The Wildcats start three freshmen in the secondary. The defensive leader is linebacker Josh Forrest, with 77 tackles.
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Charlotte running back Kalif Phillips against Kentucky linebacker Josh Forrest. Charlotte coach Brad Lambert said Phillips has recovered from a knee injury. If so, Phillips will be a key part of the 49ers’ hopes to hold the ball and keep Kentucky’s offense off the field. Forrest might be the best linebacker that Charlotte has faced this season.
OBSERVATIONS
▪ Kentucky, under pressure from fans, needs a victory badly Saturday. The Wildcats must beat the 49ers and then upset rival Louisville on Thanksgiving weekend to finish 6-6 and qualify for a bowl.
▪ Lambert said he will stick with the quarterback rotation from last week. That means freshman Brooks Barden will start, and Matt Johnson will enter the game in running situations.
▪ If Kentucky wins Saturday, it will give the Wildcats five victories in consecutive seasons for the first time in four years.
▪ Commonwealth Stadium underwent extensive renovations before this season. In the season opener against UL Lafayette, a drone flew into the stadium and crashed into the wall of a suite. There were no injuries, and police said the plane was piloted by a student in the parking lot.
BY THE NUMBERS
8 In seven of Kentucky’s 10 games, the margin of difference has been eight points or fewer.
13 Number of consecutive losses combined by the two teams. Charlotte is on an eight-game skid, and Kentucky has dropped five in a row.
39 Number of rushing yards Charlotte’s Kalif Phillips needs to reach the 1,000-yard mark for the second straight season.
Steve Lyttle
This story was originally published November 20, 2015 at 9:27 PM with the headline "Charlotte 49ers at Kentucky Wildcats: Gameday."