:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62265691/usa_today_11638040.0.jpg)
Benny Snell, never one to hide his emotions, vented his frustrations after the Kentucky Wildcats suffered their second straight conference loss on Saturday afternoon.
“It was obvious that Tennessee wanted it more than Kentucky, so that’s why the outcome was what it was,” Snell said after the game.
Tennessee beat Kentucky handily on Saturday in Knoxville 24-7. The Volunteers led 17-0 at the half and tacked on another touchdown in the second to put the game out of reach for the Cats.
The Wildcats racked up a total of only 262 yards, including 81 yards from Snell on the ground and 25 yards through the air. The Cats only touchdown was scored by C.J. Conrad, not Snell. Kentucky’s ground was virtually nonexistent, as the Cats averaged only 2.2 yards per carry.
“We’re not one. We weren’t being one,” Snell said. “I can tell when guys are going through the motions, whether it’s game or practice. I can spot that 100 percent. That’s really all that it comes down to. We all gotta be sold into the plan for this to work. Hopefully we can do that.”
Snell has been UK’s bell cow running back and best offensive weapon all season long, but he sounds as though he’s questioning the heart and desire of some of his teammates. Is he talking about the offensive line, the quarterback, the receivers?
“It matters coming off the ball and being a more physical team up front, hands down,” Snell said. “The run game’s not here and there at times, but that’s a team thing. You put that blame on me. You put that blame on my line. All we can do is go forward from that.”
The Wildcats have two games left to close out the season and still have the ability to have one of their best years as a program ever. If the Cats take care of business against Middle Tennessee and Louisville, Kentucky will finish with a record of 9-3. But, if some of his teammates aren’t ready to go next week, Benny has a message for them.
“We gotta eliminate the guys that don’t got that hunger. If you don’t have it anymore, we don’t need you.”