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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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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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