Connect with us

Football

Vince Marrow Says He Talked Player Out of Transferring to Louisville

Published

on

Kentucky coach Vince Marrow convinced Izayah Cummings to stay instead of transferring to Louisville.
© Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

Senior tight end Izayah Cummings played a big role for Kentucky football in 2021, playing in all 13 games, catching 14 passes for 195 yards and 3 TDs. He was able to contribute during the most crucial moments of the season, but last season, saw virtually no production under Rich Scangarello.

Even though Cummings made an appearance in all 13 games last season, his only means of offensive production was a single 23-yard run. Feeling underutilized, Cummings nearly transferred to Louisville, where he is originally from. However, a conversation with Coach Vince Marrow had Cummings sold on playing his senior year in Lexington.

Following August 22nd’s practice, Marrow answered questions from the media, and he was asked about Izayah Cummings and how he is feeling with Liam Coen back at UK.

Advertisement

Marrow responded, “There was a lot of people that wanted Izayah because they remember seeing him in ’21, the plays he made. There was one particular school down the road that I think he was really considering going to.”

Marrow then dove into what exactly he pitched to Cummings to keep him at Kentucky.

Me and Zay got a really good relationship, and I told him, ‘Hey, man, there’s probably gonna be a change,’ and we had an idea who the coordinator was. It was like Christmas Day, whole attitude just changed.

Despite Izayah Cummings not getting the playing time he wanted, he bowed his head, showed up with a positive mindset, and worked his tail off.

Advertisement

It was very unfair for him,” Marrow said. “He was such a big factor in that offense and just to go to nothing. What I love about Zay, he kept his character right, he was very supportive of other guys.”

With Liam Coen back on the sidelines and a renewed confidence for Cummings, 2023 is shaping up to be a much better season for the senior. Based on practice reports and multiple comments from the staff, expect him to produce similarly, if not better, than he did in the 2021 season.

Advertisement

Football

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

Published

on

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.

Advertisement

“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.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Football

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

Published

on

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:

Advertisement

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:

Advertisement

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. 

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Football

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

Published

on

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:

Advertisement

“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.”

Advertisement

Continue Reading

Trending