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

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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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Running Back Revamp: Kentucky Adds Former Oklahoma, New Mexico State Transfer

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New Mexico State University Athletics

The Wildcats bolstered their backfield with the addition of former Oklahoma and New Mexico State running back Seth McGowan on April 20, per KSR’s Nick Roush.

Standing at 5-foot-11 and 215 pounds, McGowan brings size and downhill power to Kentucky’s offense. Coming off a productive season at New Mexico State, he rushed for 823 yards and three touchdowns while adding 23 receptions for 277 yards and three more scores through the air.

A former four-star recruit in the class of 2019, McGowan originally signed with Oklahoma and logged 370 rushing yards, three touchdowns and 201 receiving yards with one touchdown during his lone season with the Sooners.

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On May 7, 2021, McGowan was removed from Oklahoma following his involvement in a legal case in which he was arrested and charged with robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. The charges were ultimately dismissed, but he pleaded guilty to larceny from a person at nighttime in December of that year.

After a stint at NAIA school Texas College in 2022, where he did not see game action, McGowan continued his path back to Division I football, playing six games with Butler Community College before transferring to New Mexico State for the 2024 season.

Now, with his past behind him, McGowan has a chance to turn the page and contribute in a major way to the Wildcats’ offense.

Running backs coach Jay Boulware, who helped Oklahoma sign McGowan out of high school, likely played a role in bringing him to Kentucky, where he is expected to have one year of eligibility remaining.

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Along with Nebraska transfer Dante Dowdell, McGowan could be a part of a versatile and punishing backfield tandem for the Wildcats. While Dowdell brings a physical, downhill rushing style, McGowan’s ability to contribute in both the run and pass game adds a dynamic layer to offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan’s pro-style system, which emphasizes balance and explosive playmaking.

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Jamon Dumas-Johnson: A NFL Draft Steal

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Kentucky Wildcats linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson (2) makes the sign of the cross while taking a knee before the game.
Carter Skaggs | Imagn

Before he transferred to Kentucky, Jamon Dumas-Johnson was an All-American at Georgia, with waves to at least test the NFL draft after winning a National Championship. However, with the decision to play his last collegiate season as a Wildcat, Dumas-Johnson was a cornerstone piece for the Kentucky defense, finishing the season with 7.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks during his 11 starts for the team. 

His athleticism spoke volumes at Kentucky football’s NFL pro day, where current NFL draft boards now list the linebacker as one of the best athletes at the position and has earned himself a “top 10” feel ahead of the draft. Before pro day, publications such as Bleacher Report had him listed as No. 13 at his position. 

Dumas-Johnson proved himself with the highest vertical jump (37.5) and the longest broad jump (10.60) out of the Wildcats who competed in said events, and ran an impressive best 4.50 40-yard dash. At 245 pounds, he also managed to press 16 reps of 225, which could technically be “better” compared to NFL standards, but is impressive nonetheless in hindsight.

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At 23 years old, this linebacker exploits explosiveness, agility and can hawk down any playmaker on the field. Out the 31 NFL teams that attended the event (a Cleveland Browns representative did not attend), one will be getting a prize steal of the draft with Dumas-Johnson. 

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Alex Raynor: A Rare Gem In This Year’s NFL Draft

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Kentucky Wildcats place kicker Alex Raynor (16) lines up a kick.
Jordan Prather | Imagn

Alex Raynor had an illustrious season for Kentucky last year, being named to First-Team All-SEC, as a finalist for the Lou Groza award and as SEC Special Teams Player of the Year.

As the record holder for the longest field goal in program history, and arguably one of, if not the, most consistent kickers to ever be a Wildcat, Raynor now looks to the NFL Draft in the next chapter of his book. 

Recently, at Kentucky football’s NFL Pro Day on Tuesday, March 11, Raynor kicked off the event with his workout. 

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Although he would miss a routine kick for him inside of the 45, he would continue to move back, nailing a 55-yard kick and nearly making a 60-yard kick. 

The best moments of his workout came when Raynor would line up behind the UK logo inside of Nutter Field House and would nail a 65-yard field goal.

That, although it’s an indoor kick and is not faced with the NFL pressure, would be one of the longest field goals in NFL history. 

Historically, it’s extremely rare for kickers to be drafted any higher than the 6th, more commonly going in the late rounds on the third day. 

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However, Raynor would hold as one of the rare occasions to go higher than projected, due to his historic year as a Wildcat.

Wherever the young man from Georgia ends up in the pros, don’t be surprised if you hear his name every reoccurring Sunday.

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