CatsPause.com - UK staff: Matthews a playmaker at WR

August 29, 2009

Jeff Drummond
CatsPause.com Publisher

Kentucky wrapped up its third and final scrimmage Saturday in preparation for next week's season opener against Miami of Ohio, and by all indications, the Wildcats expect to be an improved offensive team heading into the 2009 campaign.

"Are we there yet? No," UK offensive head coach Joker Phillips said. "We've got to clean up a lot of things, but we've got a few guys who are making plays for us. That gives you a chance."

A big part of that optimism is the addition of junior college transfer Chris Matthews, a 6-foot-5, 210-pound wide receiver who has wasted little time in locking down one of the starting jobs. The Cats are hoping the California native can bring some of what helped him post 80 receptions for 1,235 yards and 11 touchdowns last year at Los Angeles Harbor College to a UK passing attack that ranked eighth in the SEC.

"You hate to jinx him and say all this stuff about some guy who hasn't been in a big-time atmosphere," Phillips said when asked if the hype surrounding Matthews was accurate. "But, yes, he's made as many plays (as anyone) and against a really good corner (in Trevard Lindley). It's not like he's going against some down-the-line corner. He's made plays against Trevard.

"He's made big plays for us, and that's opened up things for Randall (Cobb), our other receivers and also the running game."

Phillips says having a threat like Matthews will force defenses to show greater respect to UK's passing game, which should also lead to fewer bodies "in the box" when the Cats want to run the ball. The offense frequently saw eight-man fronts during the 2008 season.

"We've got to run the ball better than we have, and one of the reasons I think we'll be able to run it better is we'll get the numbers (in the box) from our passing game," Phillips said. "And I think we'll be able to pass it even better once our running game gets going."

Junior quarterback Mike Hartline says he's more confident entering this season than he was a year ago, and a big part of that is due to Matthews.

"He's a guy who's so big and strong and fast that, even if I don't make the best throw, he can go up and get it," Hartline said. "All I've got to do is give him a chance to go make a play."

A teammate's unfortunate injury helped Matthews land a starting role sooner than expected. Juco transfers often take an extended period of time to adjust to the speed and complexity of the offense at the next level. Even productive former UK players like Aaron Boone, Chris Bernard, Scott Mitchell and Stevie Johnson took almost half of their first seasons (or longer) to make an impact, but the UK staff believes Matthews is ahead of that curve due to receiving more reps than usual early in camp.

"Chris moved into the starting lineup, and from the time Gene (McCaskill) got hurt, Chris has probably got 98 percent of the No. 1 reps at his position," Phillips said. "All those reps have really helped him. He's really durable, and with all those reps, he's really gotten better every time he's taken one."

Kentucky head coach Rich Brooks also believes Matthews is helping the team improve defensively.

"It really helps us, going forward, defending those type of receivers with our defensive backs because they get to work against someone like that," Brooks said. "And it gives us an advantage that we haven't had in the height category going up against stronger DBs."

"He's tough," said senior cornerback Trevard Lindley, who went on to pay Matthews a tremendous compliment. "He reminds me a lot of (Alabama star) Julio Jones. He's a great challenge for any DB."

Kentucky is expected to start Matthews opposite Cobb against Miami of Ohio. Phillips said McCaskill and Kyrus Lanxter will rotate for the No. 3 receiver snaps.

For more information on today's practice, TCP subscribers can see the detailed thread on The House of Blue.

Kentucky NEWS

[More]

Latest Headlines:

Resources:

FEATURED PRODUCT