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Mark Stoops Tells Kentucky Fans to “Pony Up” After Loss To Georgia

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1 year ago

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Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops runs onto the field before the game against the Akron Zips at Kroger Field.
© Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

Over the last decade, the University of Kentucky has invested heavily in the football program, to the tune of $165 million between Kroger Field renovations ($115 million), Joe Craft training facility ($45 million), and Nutter Fieldhouse renovations ($5 million). Also, with the NIL guidelines set in 2021, fans and local businesses are donating to the program like never before.

This money has certainly helped Kentucky football reach a new level and accomplish feats that have not been seen in a half-century, or in some cases, never. However, it feels like the Wildcats have hit a ceiling as they struggle to take the next step, beating Georgia.

In three of the last six seasons, Kentucky has gotten off to a historical start with a matchup against Georgia to take a lead in the SEC East. Each time, the Wildcats look outmatched, losing by 17 points in 2018 and 2021, then 38 points this past Saturday.

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What can help Kentucky get over the hump? Mark Stoops says more money.

During his weekly call-in show on Monday, some fans called in/texted their frustrations following Sturday’s embarrassing performance, to which Stoops responded by asking for more NIL support.

“I can promise you Georgia, they bought some pretty good players. You’re allowed to these days and ee could use some help,” Stoops said. “That’s what they look like, when you have 85 of them (referencing Georgia). I encourage anybody who is disgruntled to pony up some more.”

Kentucky was a 14.5-point underdog to Georgia, so the loss was not surprising. However, the Wildcats did not lose to Georgia by 38 points due to NIL money, they lost by that amount because they were ill-prepared and undisciplined. Given that Stoops is a top-10 paid coach in college football and the fans and university are giving to the football program like never before, people have the right to be upset with that performance.

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To be fair to Stoops, what he said is true, but he said it at an incredibly bad time. If Kentucky wants to compete with a program like Georgia on a consistent basis, more NIL money is needed. However, is that feasible at a place like Kentucky, where football has been a secondary program for much of its history?

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Football

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

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2 weeks ago

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December 10, 2024

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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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3 weeks ago

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December 2, 2024

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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

Published

3 weeks ago

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December 2, 2024

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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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