Sustaining drives has been a lingering problem for Kentucky

After Tuesday's practice offensive coordinator Eddie Gran told the media that he wants to see a 12-play drive from the offense.

Gran wants to see the offense have that kind of drive because it means the unit is consistently executing the little things. There's also a degree of mental toughness and balance that is demonstrated in a drive like that.

Perhaps most importantly, such a drive would give the defense a breather, as Gran said.

Unfortunately for Kentucky's football program sustaining drives has not been a strength in a long time, dating back at least to last season.

Kentucky had two drives of 10-plus plays resulting in points against Mississippi State in Starkville last season. But on the back half of the schedule, following that game, Kentucky's field-driving, clock-eating drives almost disappeared.

In the six games against FBS opponents that Kentucky has competed in since that 42-16 loss to Mississippi State, the Cats have scored touchdowns on drives of 10 or more plays just twice.

Drew Barker's offense went 10 plays and 75 yards for a touchdown against Louisville on their first drive of the season finale last year. In the second half against Tennessee the offense, then led by Patrick Towles, went 75 yards over 14 plays and scored a touchdown on a drive that ate up 6:15 of game time.

But those are the only two times in the last six games against FBS opponents that drives of 10 plays or more have resulted in touchdowns.

Late in the game against Florida the Cats went 65 yards in nine plays to score a touchdown in 4:45 of fourth quarter clock time, but the Gators' backups were in the game on defense.

In that Louisville game at the end of last year the Cats netted a field goal following a 13-play, 69-yard drive, and against Vanderbilt the Cats scored three following a 14-play, 39-yard drive.

But just twice have the Cats sustained a 10-plus play drive that resulted in a touchdown.

Early in 2015 driving the field was often a strength for Kentucky. Against South Carolina, in their 26-22 win in Columbia, Kentucky scored three touchdowns and a field goal in the first half alone, all on drives that lasted at least seven plays. Included in those scoring drives against South Carolina were drives of 10 and 15 yards, respectively.

Kentucky had two 14-play scoring drives against Florida early last year, although both drives ended in field goals and not touchdowns (costing Kentucky that game).

Last year against Missouri the Cats scored three touchdowns, and all three of those drives spanned nine plays.

More recently, however, since that game in Starkville, the Cats offense - whether piloted by Barker or Towles, whether coached by Shannon Dawson or Gran - has relied almost exclusively on explosive plays.