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RECAP: Three Takeaways from Kentucky’s 51-13 Loss to Georgia

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Georgia Bulldogs tight end Brock Bowers (19) runs after a catch against the Kentucky Wildcats at Sanford Stadium.
© Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

After a huge 33-14 win against the Florida Gators, the BBN had a lot of excitement heading into Georgia week. Many people thought that this week may be the time that Kentucky takes the next step, contending and being the frontrunner in the SEC East. However, the Cats were not at all ready for Saturday’s contest as they got steamrolled 51-13.

To start the game, Carson Beck and the Georgia offense set the tone early with a passing touchdown to Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint. Then, Beck quickly scored his 2nd touchdown, and it was 14-0 after fifteen minutes of play.

The 2nd quarter started off with yet another Carson Beck touchdown, and to this point, none of his three touchdowns were to Brock Bowers. Mike Bobo was simply picking apart Brad White’s defense. Then, after a Josh Kattus touchdown, Georgia’s Kendall Milton and a field goal made the score 34-7 at the half.

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The 3rd quarter seemed like a good time for Kentucky to pick up some momentum, and things were trending positively after a Maxwell Hairston pick and a Ray Davis receiving touchdown. Another field goal and a Brock Bowers touchdown, however, put the score at 44-13 after three.

Then, the onslaught continued in the 4th quarter. Even the backups were having their way with Kentucky’s defense. The Cats had officially been 50-pieced for the first time since they lost 63-3 at Alabama in 2020. The final from Athens was 51-13.

Uncharacteristically Undisciplined

Perhaps the biggest worry from Saturday’s game was that UK failed to show any discipline. Maybe Kentucky thought they were untouchable after Florida, or maybe they were frustrated at how Georgia took it to them.

The horrendous penalties made their way back onto the field, and not in Kentucky’s favor. Just about every lineman was called for holding at some point. Jager Burton and Deone Walker were assessed with personal foul penalties after late (and honestly, childish) hits.

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Whether a Stoops team was performing well or not, they have always been disciplined and mature on the field. That wasn’t the case against Georgia. Practice and film sessions this week will be humbling.

A Big Step Back for the Program

As mentioned earlier, the 33-14 win against Florida had the BBN believing that they had a chance to beat Georgia and take the next step. Kentucky was just one step away from really contending in the SEC East, but they took a few steps back on Saturday.

The season isn’t over by any means (more on that in a second), but it’s time for the BBN to pump the breaks on the whole contending thing. Devin Leary was missing receivers, and the receivers were dropping passes. The defense was an all systems failure.

We learned that Kentucky isn’t ready for the next step. Georgia is still a good team, but this isn’t 2021 or 2022 Georgia. Still, Kentucky got absolutely embarrassed on Saturday. So, the question begs, what can Kentucky do in 2023?

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Special Season Still Possible

If you told 99% of the BBN that Kentucky would be 5-1 at this point in the season, they would take it in a heartbeat. Kentucky has a tough schedule ahead, but they have a real shot of going 5-1 or 4-2 to finish the season.

Given that Alabama is probably a loss, if Kentucky can beat Mississippi State and South Carolina, and go at least 1-2 in the other three games, UK finishes the regular season 8-4.

If they manage 2-1, all of a sudden you have a 9-win regular season. 3-0, now you’re dreaming of 10-2 and New Year’s Six Bowl hopes. That being said, Kentucky could also finish 5-7/6-6 realistically. It’s all about how UK bounces back, starting against Missouri.


View the box score from the game here. Viewer discretion is advised.

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

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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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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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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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