UK - Texas Game Thread

[Catsrock]

He’s a freshman making his fourth start. He’s gonna make mistakes. But his good to great plays outnumbered his bad and he outplayed the almighty Arch Manning, and it really wasn’t close. He needs better coaches calling better plays for him and the offense.

He’ll probably get that. My gosh HOPEFULLY not at UL or IU!!!

[Jload]

I told my wife when overtime started " we will find a way to blow it". UK has conditioned me to say this since I started watching them in 1966. We then did something I have seen countless times before we lost a game where we outplayed the opponent from start to finish. Stoops is one of the worst in game coaches I have ever seen. There were SO MANY " Why did he do that " moments. Eschewing the field goal on opening drive for lead, and setting positive tone for rest of game was one. Bearr Bryant used to say Take the sure points in first half in games. Second kicking to the returner in 4th quarter when he set up Texas ONLY touch down earlier in game. Finally the 2 dives into the teeth of 3 , 350 pound guys in over time. By my reckoning that's about 13 points his terrible decisions, on just those 3 plays alone cost us.

[Trueblujr]

I actually didn’t hate going for it in OT. If you take the field goal, then you need a stop just to extend the game and still probably won’t end up with a more favorable situation than only needing a half yard if you do. That play call was not good though. Would have like a little more creativity.

They had four cracks at it. After two unsuccessful up the gut runs they should have done a toss sweep or something and hit the edge.

[EKYCat]

My takeaways from last night:

Easily the best game they've played all year from a statistical standpoint. 395 yards of offense. Held Texas to 179 yards and only 47 on the ground. I had zero issue going for it on 4th down on the first drive or the last one. The play calling on both were terrible. QB sneak on 3rd and 2 during the first drive was dumb. The final two attempts at the goal line in OT were also terrible. We for sure missed McGowan on that last drive, but for the love of Gawd, run a little play action bootleg. I thought Cutter could have gotten in on first down but hesitated. He played well overall (31/39 for 258 and a pick that ended up not really mattering much).

At the end of the day, it's the same ol' same ol' with UK football. Snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Bad play calling in critical situations killed what could have been a really nice win over a ranked, albeit, overrated Texas team. You look at at the box score and you'll realize only two teams in the world lose that game. The Kentucky Wildcats and the Cleveland Browns. I, unfortunately, root for both teams.

Time for a changing of the guard. It's a shame, too. UK has some weapons at QB, receiver, and RB that could be effective if they were under competent offensive leadership.

[Jeffky62]

Hopefully stoops will be shown the door after Saturday. Also, barnhart ,if not fired too!! Will have no place in hiring or negotiating basketball or football contracts .

[40bill]

Very proud of the effort.
not shocked with the result

I agree this moral victory likely gives CMS another year.

[Matt Dillon]

Very proud of the effort.
not shocked with the result

I agree this moral victory likely gives CMS another year.

Especially if we remain competitive the remainder of the season.

[Catsrock]

Very proud of the effort.
not shocked with the result

I agree this moral victory likely gives CMS another year.

I can’t see how blowing games like this buys a coach more time. It’s deflating and I don’t see it as a moral victory at all.

[Catgrad7072]

I can’t see how blowing games like this buys a coach more time. It’s deflating and I don’t see it as a moral victory at all.

....especially if the only other W this season is Tn Tech.

[EKYCat]

Especially if we remain competitive the remainder of the season.

Texas isn't good. They beat Oklahoma but that's one of those deals where you can throw the records out the window because of the rivalry. UK will get boat raced by Tennessee next weekend. They won't be competitive against Vanderbilt or Louisville either. This was the best shot at a conference win if you ask me. Florida is maybe the only other potential win. They're not that good and will probably have relieved Napier of his duties by then. I'd feel better about Auburn if it was at home but we can't beat an SEC team at home so I don't really know why I say that ?

[Jeffky62]

Very proud of the effort.
not shocked with the result

I agree this moral victory likely gives CMS another year.

Oh man this gives us alot to look forward too another year of stoops .

[Jeffky62]

I can’t see how blowing games like this buys a coach more time. It’s deflating and I don’t see it as a moral victory at all.

Best post on here common sense approach ?

[Trueblujr]

I told my wife when overtime started " we will find a way to blow it". UK has conditioned me to say this since I started watching them in 1966. We then did something I have seen countless times before we lost a game where we outplayed the opponent from start to finish. Stoops is one of the worst in game coaches I have ever seen. There were SO MANY " Why did he do that " moments. Eschewing the field goal on opening drive for lead, and setting positive tone for rest of game was one. Bearr Bryant used to say Take the sure points in first half in games. Second kicking to the returner in 4th quarter when he set up Texas ONLY touch down earlier in game. Finally the 2 dives into the teeth of 3 , 350 pound guys in over time. By my reckoning that's about 13 points his terrible decisions, on just those 3 plays alone cost us.

Can’t say I disagree with much of what you said. We had four chances from inside the three in OT. The dive is what you do when your inside the one, not closer to the two yard line. After two failed attempts up the gut, maybe roll out and go around end.
Not taking the points on the opening drive. Boneheaded.

Not running one more play to try and get closer with 13 seconds and I believe a TO left before halftime. The 52 yards is in Kauwe’s range he just didn’t get enough air under it. But should have tried to get him a shorter attempt or at least taken a shot at the end zone.

Almost exactly the same situation to end the game. 14 seconds left and we kick the FG on 2nd down. Why? Plenty of time to at least take a shot at the end zone. An incompletion would have stopped the clock. Throw a lob to Gilmore in the corner or something. Take a chance. We play scared in the red zone.

We outplayed Texas from start to finish. Defense was the best it’s been all year. They played their hearts out.

Boley is growing. Arch who? Boley and Manning are almost carbon copies of each other, and I know Boley still has a lot to improve on, but I wouldn’t trade him for Manning. Boley played his heart out too. Especially when he escaped disaster on that one play. He’s a lot more mobile than you think. I think a lot of the Texas fans were ready to trade Manning for him after that game.

[Trueblujr]

Very proud of the effort.
not shocked with the result

I agree this moral victory likely gives CMS another year.

The stats and effort vs. The results show that this loss was squarely on the coaches shoulders for decisions made at crucial times.

[blueheretic]

Apparently, Mark Stoops contract states that he gets paid for making Kentucky football competitive but not for actually winning.

Actually winning the games would cost more.