This article originally appeared with The Red & Black on July 15, 2015 and can be found here.

HOOVER, Ala. — The Kentucky Wildcats started last season with a 5-1 record and appeared destined to go to a bowl game for the first time since 2010. However, the team struggled down the stretch and lost their final six games. It was a disappointing end to a promising year, but Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops believes he has pinpointed what went wrong.

“I really liked the way we played in the first six games,” Stoops said. “We have to learn now to be able to sustain that. We have to change some things in our development in the second part of the season in the way we train them and the way we practice, and we have to continue to breed that confidence.”

 

Part of the hope for Kentucky lies in the drive of its players. Several Wildcats took it upon themselves to work together outside of mandatory workouts and practices, which created a ripple effect that drew in more players. The result is weight-room gatherings that mirror a team scrimmage.

“Everyone is working extremely hard,” senior defensive tackle Melvin Lewis said. “If you come after a workout session, you would think we’re having practice out there by how many people are out there putting in the extra work. All of that is going to pay off.”

The missed bowl appearance last season showed Stoops has made progress at Kentucky, but getting there in 2015 will be difficult.

The Wildcats have changed offensive coordinators; Shannon Dawson comes in from West Virginia to replace new Troy head coach Neal Brown. The schedule does Kentucky no favors, as they play eight bowl bowl-eligible teams from one year ago. There remains uncertainty at quarterback between junior Patrick Towles and redshirt freshman Drew Barker, and the defense has shifted from a 4-3 scheme to a 3-4.

A new defensive strategy isn’t even the biggest issue for the Wildcats. The team lost its two best pass-rushers from 2014 in Za’Darius Smith and Bud Dupree, who both graduated last year and are now in the NFL. Smith and Dupree combined for 12.0 sacks and 135 tackles for Kentucky, leaving a huge void for the current squad. If the Wildcats are going to pressure quarterbacks again, it will be with help from players like Lewis.

Lewis acknowledges what Smith and Dupree brought each game but understands it’s up to himself and his fellow defensive players to step up to the task.

“We just have to continue to bring the other guys along,” Lewis said. “For us older guys, we have to keep fine-tuning our technique. You can’t replace those guys, but we’ll be able to fill their spots.”

Even if the Wildcats fail to reach a bowl game, the players indicate the program is moving in the right direction. Senior safety A.J. Stamps and senior offensive tackle Jordan Swindle stated the team chemistry was much better this year, displayed by the team’s voluntary workout habits. Swindle also pointed towards the improved speed both in the veterans and some of Stoops’ underclassmen. No one will hand the team six victories, but it has never been that way for Kentucky.

Swindle is proud of the work of this group of players and feels like Stoops and the Wildcats are on the verge of something worthwhile.

“We’re changing the team culture,” Swindle said. “Our chemistry has gotten a lot better and we’re getting the point where everybody is buying in and everybody is going the extra mile. When you have that, I think that’s the recipe for a successful team.”