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BREAKING: University of Kentucky Placed on Probation Due to Multiple NCAA Violations

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The University of Kentucky has been placed on two years of probation as a result of NCAA Investigations into the UK Football and Swimming programs.
Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

Just after Kentucky football media day on Friday, the NCAA published findings from investigations into the Kentucky football and swimming programs. As a result, the University has been placed on two years of probation.

According to the NCAA Committee on Infractions, “violations involve at least 11 football student-athletes receiving payment for work not performed between spring 2021 and March 2022. Eight of the student-athletes went on to compete and receive actual and necessary expenses while ineligible.”

In 2022, the program self-reported violations of NCAA bylaws as several players were discovered to have falsified work hours. The players were paid as “patient transporters” at UK Hospital and according to video evidence at the hospital, they would arrive, clock in, leave and, in some cases, come back hours later to clock out. The UK compliance office discovered that the hours worked conflicted with players’ class and football schedules.

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In addition to self-reporting, several players were suspended or dismissed from the program in 2022. Linebacker Jordan Wright was suspended from the season opener, and running back Chris Rodriguez was suspended for the first four games of the season. However, the NCAA says multiple players should have remained ineligible to play.

The NCAA enforcement staff and school agreed that no staff member in the athletics department “knew or reasonably should have known” about the payment for work not performed and there were ‘no failure to monitor’ violations.

In addition to probation, the level-II violations found in the football program will result in the wins from the historic 2021, 10-win season being vacated.

The investigation also included the Kentucky men’s and women’s swimming programs for unsanctioned practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the committee, the violations involve “exceeding limits on countable athletically related activities when student-athletes were not provided with required days off and exceeded practice hours for nearly three years.

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The school agreed that it failed to monitor its swimming and diving program and that the underlying violations demonstrated a head coach responsibility violation.

Read the entire NCAA press release here.

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Thousands of Dollars in Theft Reported at Kentucky-Georgia Game

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During the Kentucky-Georgia football game, fans reported multiple vehicle break-ins amounting to thousands of dollars in stolen property.
Chet White | UK Athletics

While Kentucky was battling No. 1 Georgia in Kroger Field on Saturday, multiple fans had their vehicles broken into. Following the game, University of Kentucky police received multiple reports of break-ins.

According to WKYT, five vehicles were broken into during the game. Fans reported that windows were shattered and that purses, electronics, and debit cards were stolen. One of the victims, who made the trip to the game from Pennsylvania, claims that an estimated $7,000 worth of items were stolen from her truck while it was parked in the purple lot.

While UK police say they patrol lots during the game with bike officers, the victims say they did not see security after the game when they noticed shattered glass by their vehicles.

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UK Police Chief had this message for fans. “Lock your valuables up. Put them in an area, a trunk, or something people will not see very easily. Don’t leave them laying out. That’s going to make you an easy target.”

If you plan to attend Kentucky games this season, please be vigilant and store away and valuables to where they cannot be seen.

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Thirteen Players Listed on Kentucky Injury Report, Includes Brock Vandagriff and Maxwell Hairston

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Kentucky Wildcats struggled against South Carolina in a 31-6 loss, and so did quarterback Brock Vandagriff

Starting this season, the SEC implemented a new policy requiring teams to provide availability reports for conference games. The initial report is published on Wednesday and comes with daily updates, with the final report coming 90 minutes before kickoff. Players must listed as: out (0% chance to play), doubtful (25% chance to play), questionable (50% chance to play), or probable (75% chance to play),

Going up against No. 1 Georgia, the Wildcats had 13 players listed on this week’s report and will not be at full strength with several key names featured, starting with the quarterback.

After not being featured in the initial injury report, Vandagriff was listed as “probable” when it was updated on Thursday. No details of the injury have been reported, but after getting hit as much as he did last week against South Carolina, it is no surprise that he is a bit banged up. Listed as “probable”, he is likely to play.

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More concerning though is preseason All-American Maxwell Hairston and OL Gerald Mincey. Both were initially listed as probable, but were downgraded to questionable on Friday, with just a 50% chance to play on Saturday.

Looking at the rest of the report, many of the injures came during the offseason or fall camp. However, guard Jager Burton and running back Jason Patterson were added as “out” this week.

Georgia has four players out, including first-round prospect Mykel Williams.

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Kentucky QB Brock Vandagriff Ready to Take on His Former Team the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs, “Welcoming the Challenge”

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Kentucky quarterback Brock Vandagriff will have the opportunity to face his former team the Georgia Bulldogs, and make a statement.
Grace Smith-UK Athletics | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Kentucky quarterback Brock Vandagriff is set to face off against his former team on Saturday, the Georgia Bulldogs. Competing against not just his former team, but also the No. 1 team in the country in his third career start is a tough task. However, he and the rest of the offense welcome the challenge.

“We’re welcoming the challenge,” Vandargriff said after practice on Wednesday. “At the end of the day, it’s the same game, the same rules, all that kind of stuff.”

Spending three years in Athens before transferring to Kentucky, the familiarity with the Georgia defense may provide some internal comfort for Vandagriff. The Bogart, Georgia native has had extensive practice reps against the stout defense, which has included 17 draft picks over the last three seasons. Similarly, that defensive unit has also defended against Vandagriff in practice.

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During his time as a Bulldog, Vandagriff was roommates with Chaz Chambliss, Cash Jones, and Brock Bowers and built lifetime friendships with them. “We called it the B’s and the C’s: me and Brock vs. Cash and Chaz,” Vandagriff said. Those relationships continue to this day with a group chat.

Vandragriff said he also still talks a lot with former teammate and Heisman candidate Carson Beck, valuing his friendship. When Beck was asked about Vandagriff earlier this week, he said, “I’ll probably give him a text this week.” Beck continued, “He’s a great friend of mine. Maybe not so much Saturday.”

Setting aside those relationships and making a crucial statement on the field will be key for Vandagriff on Saturday as a strong offensive showing can go a long way to reinvigorate the fanbase. You would have to believe that he relishes the opportunity to prove himself on a national level, against his former team.

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