'Wildcat' formation returns in UK loss

ATHENS, Ga. – Junior running back Jojo Kemp made a name for himself as Kentucky’s “wildcat” formation running back in 2014, but the hiring of offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson all but ended that role.

Dawson made no secret after taking the Kentucky job that he had never called a “wildcat” play in his career. In a 27-3 loss at Georgia that streak ended.

“I thought they were efficient at times,” Dawson said. “We wanted to get Jojo involved. We thought that was a good way to do it, and we had a plan and we stuck with it.”

Facing second-and-one at the Kentucky 15-yard line in the second quarter, Kemp lined up behind center with quarterback Patrick Towles split out wide. After taking the snap he appeared to run into trouble near the line of scrimmage but bounced outside for an 8-yard gain and a first down.

The Wildcats’ second attempt at the “wildcat” formation was far less successful as Kemp was stuffed at the line of scrimmage on a fourth-and-two carry in the third quarter.

“It felt good,” Kemp said. “One run I did good, got stopped on another one. We just want to just keep on working on it, like I said. Then hopefully we can get it right next week.”

Even before the season when mentioning his reluctance to use the “wildcat” formation, Dawson opened the door for calling any play he though could help move the ball.

Apparently the return of the “WildKemp” has been in the works for some time.

“Last couple of weeks, we’d been working on a few things,” UK head coach Mark Stoops said. “Tried to get a few plays out of it. They hit us on the first drive with some of that.”

Email Jon Hale atjahale@courier-journal.com. Follow him on Twitter@JonHale_CJ.