COLUMN: After four weeks of play, Newton deserves to remain starter

Within one minute, four seconds freshman quarterback Morgan Newton showed why he belonged under center these last four weeks.

Without UK’s top two playmakers, Derrick Locke and Randall Cobb, many would have had one reaction — panic.

But for the past four weeks, the newcomer hasn’t showed panic. No panic down at Auburn or in three home games. As a starter, Newton is 3-1. He could easily be 4-0.

On Saturday, against in-state foe Eastern Kentucky, Newton went 20-of-29 for 187 yards and two touchdowns. He threw the ball all over the field, showing a connection with the receivers has been lacking for the last year and a half.

Yes, the kid made a few mistakes. He took one big sack and almost threw a pick-six. But there isn’t a quarterback on UK’s roster that hasn’t made the same mistakes this season.

But in his postgame news conference, UK head coach Rich Brooks made a statement that is bound to fill the call-in shows, newspapers and Web sites until next Saturday’s matchup at Vanderbilt.

From Brooks: If Mike Hartline is medically ready and looks good in practice, then he will start Saturday at Vanderbilt.

Now, Brooks did clarify that if Hartline looks shaky, he’s confident in his replacement (Newton). But why should Newton be the backup in the first place? No, it’s not fair to bench a guy the rest of the season due to injury. Yes, Hartline was showing vast improvement in the South Carolina game up until the point he was injured.

But we’re talking about four weeks of rust against four weeks of improvement. If Newton is the hot hand — and he is — then it should be Hartline worked into the game at Vanderbilt, not the other way around.

The matchup at Vanderbilt is crucial for UK’s bowl possibilities. Lose in Nashville and the Cats face a steep uphill climb to get to 6-6 and bowl eligibility. Beat Vandy and UK is right where they need to be at 6-4.

“We need to beat Vanderbilt,” Brooks said. “We need to play well at Vanderbilt.”

Yes, you do coach. It’s easy to crush EKU without Cobb and Locke, who are expected to return against Vandy, when Newton plays the way he did. Over the last four weeks, Newton has built up an obvious connection with his receivers. He’s used his legs to get that extra second to launch the first down pass or score the much-needed touchdown. How does it make sense to bench those things when a win is desperately needed?

After Saturday’s 37-12 win, Newton used his head to dodge questions about his potential benching.

“I don’t know (how to feel),” Newton said. “I just have to go out there and practice well and be ready. It’s not my job to coach.”

That’s a smart answer for a freshman quarterback. But it’s hard to say it’s the one Newton really wanted to give.

Brooks joked about a quarterback controversy after the game, alluding to the probable media hype that will surround the debate between Hartline and Newton.

But make it simple for yourself, coach: play the kid. If Hartline’s game is as improved as you say he is, we’ll find out pretty quickly.
Just like we found out that Newton has the skills it takes to win. Not just at home, but on the road at the SEC. Something Hartline has yet to accomplish.

Make it easy, coach. Play the kid.

Kenny Colston is a journalism senior. E-mail kcolston@kykernel.com.