Football

Calls Arise for SEC Officiating Review After Kentucky-Georgia Game

Published

8 months ago

September 18, 2024

Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops argues with a referee during the game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Kroger Field.

Kentucky took No. 1 Georgia to the last play of the game on Saturday. While the Wildcats lost 13-12, if they just had one play of good fortune or one good bounce of the ball, they could have pulled the upset.

That bounce of the ball could have been a potential interception that went through Jordan Lovett’s hands for a Georgia completion, or recovering a fumble at the end of the game, many fans are looking at the officiating.

The first questionable call of the game came in the first quarter. While Kentucky was in Georgia territory, on the brink of getting into the red zone, a facemask was called on the Wildcats despite running back Jamarion Wilcox having his helmet ripped off.

The 15-yard penalty pushed Kentucky back to the 48 and they had the settle for a long field goal, a school record 55-yarder which Alex Raynor made.

My man was beheaded in 4K and they called that facemask on Kentucky man the fix is IN. 😡 #BBN https://t.co/y6bU5Rexc8 pic.twitter.com/Nc3L8DEYUm— Buddy 🏀😼 (@BigBlueBud) September 15, 2024

The next controversial call happened in the middle of the second quarter, as Georgia receiver Dominic Lovett bobbled a low pass from Carson Beck, popping it up into the air and Kentucky’s Zion Childress ran it back for a touchdown. However, it was overturned after a review, citing that the ball hit the ground.

While the officials called the pass incomplete, many argue that there was not enough evidence to overturn the call. If the call had stood and Kentucky had gone up 10-0, the game could have played out much differently.

You make the call, should this have been upheld as a Pick Six?

To reverse a call, you need "indisputable evidence" pic.twitter.com/LQreDX6olu— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) September 15, 2024

One of the more egregious calls came right before halftime. As Kentucky running back Demie Sumo-Karngbaye was hit helmet to helmet. Per the NCAA rulebook, no player shall target and make forcible contact against an opponent with the crown of his helmet.

However, there was no call on the field nor booth review on this play. If a 15-yard penalty was enforced, this would have given Kentucky a first-and-goal at the seven-yard line, with nine seconds before halftime.

Was this targeting in the Georgia/Kentucky game?

No call on the field and no booth review before the half… #Kentucky #BBN #Georgia
pic.twitter.com/ZKjGyrEuPy— The SEC Scoop (@TheSECScoop) September 15, 2024

While fans issued their anger and frustration on social media, the Kentucky staff bit their tongue, at least publicly. While Mark Stoops sent in the overturned pick-six to the SEC for review, he hasn’t talked about the officiating of Saturday’s game. “I get very frustrated but 50 grand’s 50 grand,” Stoops said on Monday, relating to the $50,000 fine that coaches receive for talking about officiating.

What do you think? If any of these calls had gone in Kentucky’s favor, would that outcome have been different?

Football

Two More Wildcats Eye NFL Futures

Two more Wildcats are receiving opportunities to accomplish their NFL dreams.

Published

7 days ago

May 10, 2025

Israel Schill

UK Athletics

Linebacker D’Eryk Jackson and kicker Alex Raynor are the latest Kentucky Wildcats aiming to make their mark in the NFL.

Go be great at the @Seahawks, @Derykjackson4. pic.twitter.com/ZHvVsVonNr— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) May 9, 2025

Jackson, a 6-foot-1, 244-pound linebacker, signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Seattle Seahawks after impressing during the team’s rookie minicamp.

In his five seasons playing college football, Jackson amassed 216 total tackles including 17 tackles for loss, 9 sacks and five interceptions.

The former Kentucky standout and the teams leading tackler from 2022 and 2023 will now compete for a spot on the Seahawks final 53-man roster.

Raynor, meanwhile, received an invitation to attend the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ rookie camp, which runs May 9–11.

Go be great at the @Buccaneers, @acraynor1. pic.twitter.com/M8UOxK9rOm— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) May 8, 2025

The Kennesaw, Georgia, native made 25 of 27 field-goal attempts in two seasons with Kentucky, including a school-record 55-yarder.

His performance earned him SEC Special Teams Player of the Year honors in 2024 and a shot to prove himself at the next level.

With the addition of Jackson and Raynor to NFL rosters, the total number of Kentucky Wildcats now vying for a spot in the league has reached 10.

Football

Saskatchewan Roughriders Sign Octavious Oxendine to CFL Deal

Published

1 week ago

May 8, 2025

Isaiah Pinto

UK Athletics

On Wednesday, it was officially announced that former Wildcats defensive lineman Octavious Oxendine agreed to play with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League.

Oxendine becomes only the fifth player from Kentucky to take their talents up north. Those before him included fellow Roughrider Micah Johnson, Josh Ali of the Calgary Stampeders, Lynn Bowden of the BC Lions and Quandre Mosely Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

The Radcliff, Kentucky, native played five seasons in Lexington. Making 19 starts in 47 games played, Oxendine recorded 78 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and a blocked kick.

In 2024, Oxendine appeared in all 12 games for the Wildcats and made one start against Murray State, finishing his final season with a team-second best four sacks.

A key performance by Oxendine helped Kentucky defeat the No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels in Oxford, Mississippi, as the defensive lineman recorded three tackles and a career-high two sacks for a combined 10 yards lost. His first sack came on a third down play, forcing the Rebels to punt, and the second led to Ole Miss letting the clock run out to end the first half.

The standout performance led to Oxendine being named SEC Defensive Player of the Week.

In December 2024, Oxendine graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in social work. Additionally, the recent graduate was named the 2025 CATSPY Male Supporting Role Award.

Now in green, Oxendine will take the field with the Saskatchewan Roughriders as they are set to kickoff the preseason on Saturday, May 24, against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Football

Tre’vonn Rybka Signs With Dolphins As Undrafted Free Agent

Published

3 weeks ago

April 29, 2025

Israel Schill

John Clay | UK Athletics

Another Cat is heading to the NFL after defensive lineman Tre’vonn Rybka was signed by the Miami Dolphins in undrafted free agency on April 28, shortly after the conclusion of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Go be great at the @MiamiDolphins, @trevonnrybka. pic.twitter.com/OkBHiubzyG— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) April 28, 2025

Rybka, who appeared in 48 games over five seasons with Kentucky, amassed 95 tackles including 5 sacks. As a senior, he started all 12 games, finishing with 34 tackles, five tackles for loss and three sacks.

He now joins a Dolphins defense that used their No. 13 pick in this year’s draft on Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, meaning Rybka will have to compete for a roster spot in a deep defensive front rotation.

Off the field, Rybka, who was adopted by his grandparents as a child due to his mother’s battle with addiction, is an active member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass. He was awarded the “Big Ambassador of the Year” award in 2024 for his commitment to mentoring and supporting the youth.

His commitment to give back to the community and its youth reflects dedication to make a positive impact both on and off the football field.

Rybka will report to the Dolphins rookie camp on May 9-12, before he officially fights for a spot on the 53-man roster in June.