From hope to despair, that has been the tale of the 2024 Kentucky football season.

Entering the season with what many believed was one of Mark Stoops’ most talented rosters, at least on paper, to a 1-6 record in the SEC and most likely missing a bowl game for the first time since 2015.

“Kentucky seems like they’re spiraling out of control,” longtime SEC radio personality Paul Finebaum said this weekend.

Yet, it’s not just this season. The regression has been apparent since Kentucky won 10 games in 2021. Rather than taking the next step, the program seems to have taken two steps back. They are just 4-7 against Florida, Missouri, South Carolina, and Vanderbilt, all programs that Kentucky was consistently beating. Even more embarrassing, they are just  2-11 in its last 13 SEC home games.

“I know some people have blamed it on injuries,” Finebaum said. “But, I don’t go that way. I just think there’s a malaise in that program that’s been there for almost two years. I’m not overly optimistic it’s going to be corrected.”

You can call Mark Stoops a victim of his own success, but in the last three seasons he has not met the expectations that he has set, nor the potential that his rosters have had.

Not a lot of good things came from Kentucky’s 24-10 loss to Auburn on Saturday, but one fan did get FIFTEEN (yes, 1-5) hot dogs courtesy of Grammy-nominated folk-pop artist Noah Kahan.

To clarify it was not a gift, rather the fan stole Kahan’s wallet at Laguardia Airport in New York City. Of all the places for it to venture to, it was Kroger Field.

“The guy who took my wallet went to a Kentucky football game last night,” Kahan shared on social media. “I just know that Mofo bought 15 overpriced hot dogs.”

Kahan has found comedy in the situation, despite having hundreds of dollars in hot dogs purchased on his dime.

“Come on dawg we gotta be collaborative in our spending!! Check with me first,” Kahan shared.

Kahan headlined Railbird Music Festival in Lexington this past summer. Maybe the next time he is in town, he can get a hot dog of his own.

Update on his missing wallet girl FIFTEEN hot dogs???? https://t.co/lsNoNOtHlZ pic.twitter.com/wnkpEanhXL— Noah Kahan Archive (@KahanArchive) October 27, 2024

The Tigers came into Kroger Field looking for their first SEC win while Kentucky was trying to keep bowl hopes alive after disappointing back-to-back losses to Vanderbilt and Florida. Auburn hadn’t won at Kentucky since their 2015 campaign where they came away with a close 30-27 victory in Lexington.

The Cat Walk crowd was less than usual despite the three-crew fighter jet flyby. Many wondered if fans would show up and show out for the Cats this week and early it looked like it might be a slim crowd, but as game time neared Kroger Field began to take shape and fans flowed in.

First Half Battle

Kentucky opened the game up quickly, Dane Key helped get the Cats started with an impressive 21-yard grab on the left sideline, later kicker Alex Raynor put the ‘Cats up first with a 46-yard field goal, with 11:28 to go in the first quarter.

Next, The ‘Cats’ tough defense forced an Auburn three and out at the Auburn 9-yard line to retake possession. Dane Key wasn’t done just yet, again he made another big grab this time for 34 yards which set up Jason Patterson for a 23-yard run to put Kentucky in scoring position and it was a score this time from freshman Jamarion Wilcox for his first career touchdown run to put the ‘Cats up 10-0 in the first quarter. JQ Hardaway later gave Kentucky the ball back after a pick that put Kentucky into scoring position but was later halted after a holding penalty and forced the ‘Cats to punt.

The second quarter was a little different with Kentucky opening up with a punt that later led to Auburn points with a touchdown from wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith which trimmed the Kentucky lead to just three with 10:56 to go in the half. Later in the quarter, Brock Vandagriff dropped back to throw which led to an Auburn interception from Keyron Crawford on the sideline that gave the Tigers possession at the Auburn 37-yard line and led to 3 points for the Tigers which tied the game at 10 a piece.

Then in a turn of events Auburn star running back Jaquez Hunter broke two runs to put the Tigers in scoring position before the half but Kentucky’s JJ Weaver sacked Payton Thorne which left Auburn with no timeouts and didn’t allow any time for the late field goal which ended the quarter at a 10 to 10 tie.

Second Half Disaster

Auburn’s offense began the half fast and so did running back Jarquez Hunter who found the end zone to give the Tigers a 17 to 10 lead with 7:53 to go in the third quarter. Kentucky’s first possession was a quick three-and-out,

which led to Auburn getting the football and giving it to their guy Jarquez Hunter who ran for 50 yards but Kentucky’s defense prevailed to stop the Tigers which forced a 47-yard field goal miss from kicker Alex McPherson.

It was much the same in the final quarter of play in which Auburn and Hunter went on a 4-minute 45-second scoring drive where Hunter took it to the House for 45 yards with 12:11 to go. The Cats did however get into the red zone but the Tigers’ goal line defense stopped the Cats and forced a Gavin Wimsatt interception after coming to in the game for Brock Vandergriff after a sloppy performance, Kayin Lee was the defender who made the pick to give Auburn the ball back. Then on Auburn’s final drive, it was yet again another long gain from Jarquez Hunter who ran it for 46 yards to later lead to Auburn and Peyton Thorne kneeling it out. The Auburn would later come out of Kroger field victorious and beat the Kentucky Wildcats 24-10.

Jarquez Hunter’s record breaking game

There were many key takeaways from a very disappointing outcome but it was no bigger than running back Jarquez Hunter who rushed for 278 yards and 2 touchdowns, his 278 yards set a new record for most rushing yards by an opposing player against Kentucky inside Kroger Field credit to Corey Price for the record stat, after the game coach Mark Stoops had high praise for Hunter, saying “He’s an NFL back”, Mel Kiper’s latest mock draft doesn’t it have him within the top 10 running backs but that will likely change after his record performance.

Bowl Chances?

Kentucky likely drops themselves out of bowl eligibility standing now at 3-5 on the season and 1-5 in the SEC moving them to 15th in the conference standing only ahead of Mississippi State, Kentucky’s schedule isn’t easy either playing on the road at top 10 Tennessee in Knoxville, a Bye week follows the game before taking on the Murray State Racers at home, the next game is a road trip to Austin where the ‘Cats will play the Texas Longhorns who are high favorites to win the College Football Playoffs, and a season finale against arch rival Louisville on senior day for the ‘Cats. The schedule couldn’t get any tougher and the ‘Cats would have to win 3 of their last 4 games to become bowl-eligible to salvage what has really been a disaster of a season.

Who’s the quarterback going forward?

Kentucky and Mark Stoops have a big decision to make with four games remaining. In the second half, backup Gavin Wimsatt took over for Brock Vandagriff after some sloppy play to try and give the ‘Cats a much-needed boost and keep them in reach. It was, however, much of the same with Wimsatt that many in the fan base are questioning. Wimsatt finished with just 34 yards on 3 of 10 passing while Brock Vandagriff finished with 120 yards on 9 of 17 passing.

Mark Stoops after the game said he “Just wanted to get a good look at Gavin and see if he can help us move the ball.” also said ” I don’t want any headlines on that. Gavin has been playing all year. We had – we planned on putting him in the third series of the game. But we moved the ball very well in the first two. Right? So. If I put him in in the first series of the game, but in hindsight, it would have run out anyway but you’d be asking me why in the world did I take him out when we were moving the ball. You know what I’m saying? I think we judge that and say we are moving the ball pretty well, let’s stick with what is going right. We went three and out and you know, that’s it.” when asked about a potential quarterback battle late in the season. It sure is unknown what’s next for the Kentucky football program but time will tell as the ‘Cats get ready for a tough top 10 Tennessee Volunteers squad that has already defeated Alabama at home 24-17.

Where to watch the Cats versus Vols

The Kentucky versus Tennessee game will be at 7:45 PM on Saturday, November 2nd. The game can be found on the SEC NETWORK as Mark Stoops’ squad looks to get back on track on ole Rocky Top.