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Kentucky Dealing With Multiple Injuries Following Ole Miss Loss

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Kentucky was the better team when they played Ole Miss on Saturday, but self-inflicted mistakes cost them the game. To make it worse, three key players are dealing with injuries, with two of them potentially missing an extended period of time, according to Ryan Lemond and Kentucky Sports Radio.

Those three players are Jeremy Flax, Jacquez Jones, and Kavosiey Smoke.

Jeremy Flax

Flax was injured in the final offensive drive of the game, going down as he grabbed his hamstring with what many thought was just a cramp – which Ole Miss fans loudly booed at. However, it is now to be believed to be more severe and is “50/50” that Flax will play this week, and could miss several weeks according to Lemond.

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While all three injuries are significant, Flax’s injury may be the most concerning due to the inconsistency of the offensive line. That was put on immediate display as Flax was replaced by redshirt freshman, David Wohlabaugh Jr., who gave up the quarterback rush that resulted in the game-ending fumble.

Jacquez Jones

Prior to Saturday’s game, Jones – a transfer from Ole Miss – had been one of Kentucky’s key defensive leaders and led the team in total tackles. Early in the first quarter, the star linebacker was slow to get up after an Ole Miss run.

Jones was able to walk off under his power and even returned to make a key interception to halt a quickly moving Ole Miss drive to end the first half. However, the injury seemed to be too bothersome after multiple plays in the second half, and did not return.

Lemond went on to say that Jones could be out for “the rest of the season”, but in his weekly press conference on Monday, Stoops said, “He’s banged up, we’ll see,” when asked about Jones’ status.

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Linebacker is a position where Kentucky has depth, and JJ Weaver could be making a return this week, which will be much needed.

Kavosiey Smoke

Contrary to the other two, Smoke’s injury was not one that was as noticeable but the senior back is believed to have suffered a concussion.

Smoke has been the primary back since his breakout half at Florida, but with Chris Rodriguez’s return and Jutahn McClain showing some strong runs, the Wildcats are equipped to handle it if he is ruled out. However, for the sake of depth, it is hopeful that Smoke does not miss too much time.


It is important to note that all three players are still on this week’s depth chart and no official announcement has been made, but it is best to prepare as if they will be out.

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Fortunately, Kentucky is playing South Carolina (3-2, 0-2 SEC), who cannot be overlooked but is the easiest opponent the Wildcats will play until Missouri next month.

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

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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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National College Football Personality Calls Out Kentucky Football Program, “They’re Spiraling Out of Control”

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College football personality Paul Finebaum calls out Mark Stoops and the Kentucky Wildcats for poor season. "They're spiraling out of control."
Saul Young | Imagn

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.

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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.

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Grammy Nominated Music Star Has Credit Card Stolen, Thief Buys 15 Hotdogs at Kentucky Football Game

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A Kentucky football fan stole music artist Noah Kahan's wallet at an airport and purchased 15 overpriced hot dogs.
Piet Levy | Imagn

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.”

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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.

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