By Keith Taylor
Special to NKyTribune
If fall camp is any indication, Patrick Towles is confident Kentucky is going to have a successful season.
The University of Kentucky quarterback and Fort Thomas Highlands graduate has been through three fall camps while with the Wildcats and ranks this one the best of his collegiate career. It would be easy to understand his excitement, considering he beat out Drew Barker to win the starting job nearly two weeks ago.
However, Towles’ excitement goes beyond his individual accomplishments. Towles admits he’s “not necessarily disappointed” that fall camp came to a close Tuesday, but lauded the team’s ability to unite since workouts began nearly three weeks ago.
“If you would have asked me a week ago I would have said something different, but our team morale is absolutely spectacular,” he said. “This is the first time in a while, truly, this is a family, whether it’s our running backs, defensive backs, linebackers, we’re the most close-knit group I’ve been around in a long time. I’m super excited. It’s a lot easier to pull for someone else than for yourself when you have guys relying on you.
“It’s all family here, and I’m just worried about our family and everything that happens in our family.”
Coming into fall camp, Towles expected a battle from Barker, but knew what to expect, drawing on advice from his grandfather, Hall of Fame pitcher and former U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning.
“He’s done it all,” Towles said. “He’s been in Yankee Stadium and he’s done everything. It’s all about about really having thick skin, not necessarily worrying about people who don’t know what they’re talking about. We’re worried about us.”
Although the Wildcats have grown up, it wasn’t always an easy process. Just three days ago, Kentucky coach Mark Stoops called an impromptu practice session under the lights after an earlier one in broad daylight failed to yield positive vibes. The encore was enough to convince Stoops and Towles things weren’t doom and gloom with the opener hovering on the horizon.
Sept. 5, 7 p.m.
Louisiana Lafayette, Commonwealth Stadium
Despite the shortcomings that signaled concern from Stoops and his staff at times in camp, the team’s maturity level, especially at wideout, played a role their ability to wipe out a bad play or poor practice session and bounce back in timely fashion.
“We’re older and more savvy,” Towles said. “Our receivers this year, they’ve seen the looks (on opposing defenses), played against seniors and have gone against really good safeties. They know how to get open. Last year it was more like (seeing) what works and what doesn’t.”
The offensive growing pains have included one-on-one sessions against Kentucky’s defensive unit, which features a veteran secondary and various schemes. Towles said the variety of looks will prepare the Wildcats for opposing defenses, including Southeastern Conference opponents.
“In our league, you’re going to get all kinds of looks,” Towles said. “Whether it’s a heavy pressure team or a heavy cover team, we’re going to have to be prepared to play against all teams. Going against the guys we’ve been going against truly does help.”
Now that Kentucky has moved from practice to preparation, the season opener against Louisiana Lafayette on Sept. 5 can’t come soon enough for the Wildcats.
“We’re down to less than two weeks,” Towles said. “We’re excited.”