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Calls Arise for SEC Officiating Review After Kentucky-Georgia Game

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2 months ago

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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.

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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.

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.

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.

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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.

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?

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Louisville Football Player Charged With First-Degree Strangulation, Days After Committing Game Losing Personal Foul

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4 days ago

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November 18, 2024

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Louisville Cardinals defensive back Tayon Holloway (20) reacts to his defensive play.
Eric Canha | Imagn

On Monday, Louisville football defensive back Tayon Holloway was detained and charged with first-degree strangulation and fourth-degree assault.

This comes just days after the former four-star prospect committed a costly personal foul to put a 2-7 Stanford team in field goal range and upset Louosillve 38-35 with a walk-off field goal.

As expected, Holloway has been indefinitely suspended from the team.

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“The University of Louisville is aware of the arrest of football student-athlete Tayon Holloway,” the university said in a statement. “As we gather more information, Tayon has been suspended indefinitely from all team activities.”

Things Cardinals seem to be in a downward trend as the Commonwealth Cup nears, November 30th.

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Kentucky snaps four game losing streak defeats Murray State 48-6

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6 days ago

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November 16, 2024

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Kentucky football coach Mark Stoops talking to Murray State football coach Jody Wright.
Jordan Prather | Imagn

Kentucky gets a much-needed victory over Murray St 48-6 to snap its four-game losing Streak. Brock Vandagriff led the way for the Cats, going 12-19 for 183 passing yards and two touchdown passes to Hardley Gilmore IV and Ja’Mori Maclin. 48 Points is the most points Kentucky has scored in a game since 2021 when the Cats scored 51 points against Louisville.

The defense held Murray St. without a touchdown. For the second time this season, Kentucky’s defense has held an opponent without a touchdown.

Freshman Standout today:

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For the second time this season, Kentucky breaks the 40-point mark as three freshmen make impacts for Kentucky. Jamarion Wilcox had 13 carries and 124 yards with a touchdown in the 3rd quarter.

Receiver Hardley Gilmore IV had two receptions for 72 yards and caught the 52-yard touchdown pass from Brock Vandagriff on the game-opening drive.

Four-star quarterback Cutter Boley started the second half for the Cats, going 10-14 and passing for 130 yards with two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter, both touchdown passes to sophomore receiver Anthony Brown-Stephens.

Defense Bounces Back:

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After giving up over 475 yards of total offense each of the last three games, Kentucky’s defense holds Murray State to 256 total yards of offense while also having three takeaways from the Murray State offense

Defensive Lineman Tre’vonn Rybka led the way for the defense with five tackles and the only sack of the game for Kentucky’s defense. Jordan Lovett had two takeaways in the first half for Kentucky and one in the red zone in the second quarter. Jackson Schultz had the final takeaway, picking off Jim Ogle’s pass late in the fourth quarter.

Box Score

With the win today over Murray St., Kentucky moves to 4-6 (1-6 SEC) with two games remaining. They look to keep their bowl eligibility alive as they travel to Austin, Texas, and face the No. 3 ranked Texas Longhorns at 3:30 pm on ABC. 

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Mark Stoops Responds to Retirement Rumors, “Zero Percent Chance I Do That”

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2 weeks ago

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November 11, 2024

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Kentucky football coach Mark Stoops responds to retirement rumors amidst disappointing season. "Zero percent chance I do that."
Jordan Prather | Imagn

To say there is unrest in the Kentucky Football fanbase would be an understatement. With a 3-6 record overall, and 1-6 in the SEC (15th out of 16) things look bleak, and there is still a quarter of the season to go. Considering the regression from the previous two seasons as well, it’s difficult to be optimistic about the future.

Over the last few weeks, rumors have circled that head coach Mark Stoops has considered retiring at the end of the season. Optics wise it makes sense, his older brother Bob Stoops surprisingly retired from Oklahoma at just 56, and Mark, now 57, has expressed a desire to spend more time with his children.

At his weekly press conference, Stoops was asked directly if there is any chance that he would walk away from Kentucky and retire at the season. To which he responded, bluntly:

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“Zero percent chance I do that. Next question.”

Mark Stoops is still owed more than $44 million on his contract. That’s A LOT of money to leave on the table and is the reason that the decision will be Stoops’ to make, as Kentucky cannot afford the buyout.

If Stoops holds true to his word and returns next season, NIL fundraising efforts may be the most difficult it has been for him. However, he hopes it sparks motivation to donate.

“I’ve seen it at other SEC schools,” Stoops said. “I want to stay away from that. I really get tired of — I don’t want to be like I am whining, I am crying. It is reality. You have to have dollars.”

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