What just happened to the Kentucky Wildcats is further proof that every college football and NFL coaching staff should have a Common Sense Coordinator.
Kentucky had the No. 1 team in the nation on the ropes. Georgia was in a dogfight in Lexington that they were in real peril of losing, which would’ve really cramped their plans to be among the top College Football Playoff seeds. The Wildcats could’ve gotten the biggest victory in program history. Forgive me if they had a bigger one before this. They’re a basketball school after all.
This had the makings of a Hollywood ending. Georgia transfer Brock Vandagriff starting at quarterback for the home team and hanging tough while being under siege by the Bulldogs defense. The Wildcats manhandling the visitors’ o-line at the point of attack, led by freakish defensive tackle Deone Walker, who I wish my Cincinnati Bengals could have on the squad today.
…And then Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops ruined it all. He punted with about three minutes left and his Wildcats on the fringe of field goal range. They had timeouts to burn if Georgia got the stop. It was just one of those watershed moments where Stoops came up small.
The worst part? Kentucky damn near won this thing. Had Vandagirff had a fraction longer to unload a short-range crossing route, it’s very possible Alex Raynor would’ve drilled his fifth field goal of the evening to seal a 15-13 upset.
Kentucky was THIS close to upsetting Georgia! pic.twitter.com/CDiW0b1Qo8
— Carter B 🕺🏽 (@CarterthePower) September 15, 2024
Instead, the Wildcats never got a real shot to redeem themselves, getting the ball back with mere seconds left in a 13-12 loss.
You might be stunned to find out that the reactions were none too kind to Kentucky’s fearful leader.
Mark Stoops has been declared academically ineligible for the remainder of the season.
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) September 15, 2024
Mark Stoops and Kentucky deserve to lose if you’re going to punt on 4th and 8 from the plus-47 with 3 minutes left, down 1 to the No. 1 team in the country.
— Nathan (@2Fast2Nathan) September 15, 2024
One of the biggest criticisms of Mark Stoops has been how conservative he is.
Conservative yet again with a chance to get the biggest win in program history.
— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) September 15, 2024
Mark Stoops’ interview at Iowa is just going to be him sliding this game film across the table, folding his arms, smirking and winking.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) September 15, 2024
Mark Stoops just elected to take a moral victory instead of trying for a real one
— The Kentucky Network (@KentuckyNet) September 15, 2024
Mark Stoops had as much heat on him this week as he's had at any point in his tenure at Kentucky.
He had a chance to win his fan-base over, by going for it on 4th down, against the No. 1 team in America, down 1 with 3 minutes left.
He punted.
UK fans have a right to be furious
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) September 15, 2024
This punt by Kentucky is one of the most cowardly decisions I’ve ever watched. What is going on in the mind of Mark Stoops?!?
Just go for it, because if you don’t get it you can still stop Georgia THE EXACT SAME WAY YOU CAN WITH A PUNT.
Stupidity.
— Jacob Tukker (@TukkerJacob) September 15, 2024
Pick one: 4th and 8 on opponents 45 yard line or start a drive at the 20 with 9 seconds left.
Good shit, Mark Stoops.
— Poised Parlays (@PoisedParlays) September 15, 2024
Mark Stoops, knowing what our expectations would be for the rest of the season if he won this game:
“Yeah, punt it.” pic.twitter.com/eCQLT76Pki
— Buddy 🏀😼 (@BigBlueBud) September 15, 2024
Mark Stoops could have gained massive respect after taking Georgia down to the wire…
Instead, his cowardly decision to punt with 3 minutes left at midfield will overshadow an incredibly impressive performance. Shameful
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) September 15, 2024
And that, ladies and gents, is what choking looks like in real time.
Mark Stoops might never live this down. I just feel bad for the players and fans more than anything else. At least take a shot. Hell, bomb it down the field and pray for pass interference if nothing else. Arm punt it DJ Uiagalelei style. To not even try, and give your offense virtually zero chance once they finally got the ball back? Weak sauce, Mark. This isn’t like a revisionist history/hindsight is 20/20 take. It was obvious in the moment as it is now.
Not gonna stick around for the postgame explanation. My brain might melt from the stupidity.
