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Calls Arise for SEC Officiating Review After Kentucky-Georgia Game

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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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Kentucky Athletic Collectives Rank 11th of 16 Teams in SEC, Bring in over $11 Million

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Kentucky ranks 11th of 16 SEC teams in collective fundraising.
Jordan Prather | Imagn

For better or for worse of college sports, NIL is here to stay and it certainly gives an advantage to schools with more money. Just looking at the SEC alone, collectives raised more than $200 million in the 2023-24 fiscal year. Unfortunately, Kentucky is ranked in the lower half of that.

According to documents from the House v. NCAA proposed settlement, Kentucky raised $11,254,204 from athletics collectives for the 2023-24 fiscal year. That ranks 11th of the 15 public universities in the SEC and is just more than half of the top collective, Texas who raised over $22 million.

Full Rankings

Rank
School NameCollective Funding
1Texas22,272,474
2LSU20,137,141
3Georgia18,326,566
4Texas A&M17,228,714
5Alabama15,995,406
6Florida15,802,237
7Oklahoma14,817,595
8Tennessee11,602,164
9Auburn11,588,953
10Arkansas11,544,039
11Kentucky11,254,204
12S. Carolina9,554,700
13Ole Miss8,872,378
14Missouri7,146,859
15Mississippi St.6,467,166
NRVanderbiltNot Available (Private School)

While collective funding is low, Kentucky has been a top 20 athletic program in total revenue, partly thanks to being a school that profits from its basketball program. Looking ahead to 2025, Kentucky is expected to stay in the top 20 nationally in athletic revenue, fifth in the SEC by bringing in an estimated 131,139,792. Ahead of programs like Georgia, LSU, Florida, and Tennessee.

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With revenue sharing coming in the near future, even more money is going to be involved in roster and program building. Schools in the Big Ten and SEC have an even bigger advantage due to their new TV deals, giving them up to an extra $70 million or more.

A new era of college sports is here. It’s time to prepare and embrace it.

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Kentucky Wide Receiver Calls for “A Lot” More Leadership and Accountability from Staff

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Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops walks onto the field before the game against the Louisville Cardinals.
Jordan Prather | Imagn

A poor offensive line. Inconsistent quarterback play. A lot of things led to Kentucky football’s abysmal 2024 season. However, they had the talent to finish better than 4-8, only defeating one power opponent this season. So what could have helped?

Kentucky wide receiver Ja’Mori Maclin was asked that question after the Wildcats’ loss to Louisville on Saturday. To his credit, he answered honestly and professionally.

“A lot more leadership,” Maclin said. “Holding guys accountable for things. A lot more discipline for all the guys… All around, players and coaches. We’re still a team, I don’t want to point at any one person or specific group. All around we need better leadership.”

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Maclin is a junior and could return for another season. Despite talking about Kentucky taking the next step, he has not made his decision and will be returning home to talk to his family to do so. If Maclin does return, it sounds like Kentucky will have a leader in the receiving room.

Despite being a 1,000-yard receiver at North Texas, Maclin was not targeted often. However, on his 13 receptions, he caught four for touchdowns, the most of any receiver on the team.

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Kentucky Player Seen At Concession Stand During Kentucky’s 41-14 Loss to Louisville

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A Kentucky football player was seen at buying food from the concession stand in Kentucky's 41-14 loss to Louisville.

Kentucky’s on-field product against Louisville was poor to say the least, sending 99% of Wildcat fans home early. It even sent an injured player from the sideline to get a snack…

Yes, offensive lineman Gerald Mincey, one of Kentucky’s most expensive transfer portal additions, was seen at one of the concession stands at Kroger Field during Kentucky’s 41-14 defeat.

Watching a 4-8 team is bad, but even worse to do on an empty stomach.

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Mincey is a senior and will not be returning next season, but it is nice to see him reinvesting some money back into the program.

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