By Keith Taylor
Special to NKyTribune
It’s hard to beat an incumbent.
The University of Kentucky coaching staff gave backup quarterback Drew Barker a chance to compete for the starting job when fall workouts began more than a week ago. For at least seven days, Barker gave returning starter Patrick Towles all he could handle. That was until the Wildcats had their first scrimmage last Saturday. It was a prelude to showtime and Towles stood out.
Following the scrimmage, Kentucky coach Mark Stoops boasted his Wildcats “took a step forward” during the first dress rehearsal of fall workouts. As it turns out, it was Towles who made the biggest leap of all.
“It was a good battle and Drew did some very good things,” Stoops said Monday. “But Patrick played exceptional Saturday and we are really encouraged with his progress.”
Although Barker put up a fight, the odds were slim, considering Towles didn’t regress despite the late surge by Barker. Towles came into fall camp and knew what to expect after starting all 12 games last season and grasped an understanding of first-year offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson’s playbook.
The quarterback battle wasn’t the first touch of adversity Towles has faced going into his third season with the Wildcats.
Following his freshman campaign, Towles beat out Reese Phillips, Maxwell Smith and Barker for the starting job last fall and has been in command ever since. In his debut, Towles threw for 377 yards in the opener against Tennessee Martin and passed for 390 yards in a 45-31 loss to Mississippi State.
He guided the Wildcats to five wins in the first six games, but slipped down the stretch as Kentucky closed out the season with six straight losses. Towles said the finish was a learning experience.
“I have got to play better than I did those last six games,” Towles said. “I’ve got to be more accurate and I think I can do that. It’s a tough season and playing in the Southeastern Conference is tough. We all knew that and I just think we ran into some really good football teams (down) the stretch.”
Towles also likes having a veteran receiving corps to help balance the team’s offensive unit. He hopes the receivers can make the same leap he has made so far during fall workouts.
“We have guys who have been through a full season,” Towles said. “When you have youth, you want to underplay the importance of experience. We have experience now and youth isn’t an experience anymore. We’re talented enough to play (with anybody). The work ethic has gotten a lot better.”
The fact that Towles kept his job gives the Wildcats stability in the pocket and the Kentucky coaching staff one less thing to worry about going into the team’s season opener against Louisiana Lafayette set for Sept. 5 at revamped Commonwealth Stadium.
Despite winning the preseason battle over Barker, Towles knows the war isn’t over and added he has to “play well and be productive” to be successful.
“I might be named the starter, but it’s still not over, Towles said. “I’m not satisfied with where I’m at. I’m not content.”
Towles was recruited to UK from Fort Thomas’ Highlands High school. He is the grandson of former U.S. Senator Jim Bunning and his wife, Mary, who live in Southgate.
Keith Taylor is a columnist and senior sports reporter for KyForward.com.