Mark Stoops destroyed for 4th-quarter decision-making in loss to Georgia
Mark Stoops had Kentucky on the precipice of history. The Wildcats were there, knocking on the door of a landmark upset against No. 1 Georgia in Lexington.
Then, it happened. With the Bulldogs clinging to a one-point lead late in the 4th quarter and the Wildcats holding the ball, Stoops elected to be conservative instead of going for the kill.
Instead of going for a 4th-and-8 just inside Georgia’s territory, Stoops elected to punt the ball away with just under 3 minutes to play. Kentucky did have all 3 timeouts at the time of the decision, but it never felt like the right call.
If the Wildcats converted, they would be mere yards away from the distance they would need to attempt a game-winning field goal. And failing to convert wouldn’t change what Georgia needed to secure a win which was simply gaining a few first downs.
The decision to play for field position ultimately backfired. The line of scrimmage for Kentucky’s 4th-down punt would be their own 47-yard line after a false start. Georgia would cross that mark of field position just moments into the ensuing drive, rendering the decision to punt utterly pointless.
Considering what was on the line, droves of fans and analysts alike shredded Stoops for his decision. It’s easy to do so with how terribly the plan backfired as the Bulldogs ultimately escaped with a 13-12 win.
Here’s how social media reacted to the decision-making:
This is unbelievable. #1 team on the ropes and you punt on the plus side of the field pic.twitter.com/pSKpupNhMI
— Pick Six Previews (@PickSixPreviews) September 15, 2024
Just so I have this straight.
Kentucky, down by 1, punted to the No. 1 team in the country, with the possible No. 1 QB in the draft?
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) September 15, 2024
Kentucky is punting?
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) September 15, 2024
Mark Stoops punting that ball was unconscionable.
— Ari Wasserman (@AriWasserman) September 15, 2024
this game is going to be a defining legacy talking point for stoops’s conservative mindset
dude is tight as it gets
— J. Kyle Mann (@jkylemann) September 15, 2024
Mark Stoops’ interview at Iowa is just going to be him sliding this game film across the table, folding his arms, smirking and winking.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) September 15, 2024
Mark Stoops just elected to take a moral victory instead of trying for a real one
— The Kentucky Network (@KentuckyNet) September 15, 2024
I've always thought Mark Stoops was Iowa's future head coach. Now I am sure of it.
— Adam Kramer (@KegsnEggs) September 15, 2024
Mark Stoops has been declared academically ineligible for the remainder of the season.
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) September 15, 2024
Kentucky is coming off an embarrassing loss to South Carolina. It has Georgia on the ropes, at home. And Stoops punts the ball from plus territory 10 yards away from a game-winning field goal attempt?
SOME PLEASE MAKE IT MAKE SENSE
— Ari Wasserman (@AriWasserman) September 15, 2024
The two previous plays had been blown up and UK didn’t seem able at that point to throw the ball. It seemed reasonable to punt and put it on the defense. I am more enraged that I watch through all the time stoppage only to see Kentucky throw a ten yard pass on the final play.
Yeah. No one is saying Kirby was dumb for punting on that last possession instead of at least trying for the field goal. If UK had gotten in FG range and kicked one in folks would complain that Kirby was too conservative and should have tried the kick.
This should be a reply to AlltheSEC.
Yeah the clock stoppage and adjustment, then readjustment, then adjustment back was silly. At some point just let ‘em play. None of it ended up mattering.
The officials have a way of trying to drain the excitement out of what should be the most exciting moments. They did the same thing late in LSU-SCAR. It needs to stop. Also, UK needs a new clock guy!
I mean, to be fair it was a hook and ladder that didn’t work out.
So if Stoops goes for it on 4th down and doesn’t make it, then the same people would be shredding him for going for it. He trusted his defense to get the ball back quickly and it didn’t work. I’ll admit, I’ve never coached even a Pop Warner game… but how many of those critics have coached a football game? Maybe a few of them have, but make sure you tell me you coaching record in the SEC before you start running your mouth about the call. I remember Coach Saban deciding to kick a long field goal at Aubrun with one second left on the clock. Any of you armchair coaches ever hear of the ‘Kick 6’?
UK just should have kept running the ball. They moved the ball pretty well all night but at critical times, they passed when there was clear advantage to run. I get it, you have to mix a little but imagine if all those high throws by Brock were 4 and 5 yard runs. The later the game went on the better the running got for UK. But games like this help both teams in finding issues. A well played game for UK standards lately and a poorly executed one by UGA. But you showed a little pressure is all you need to stop Beck.
Are you kidding me??? Comparing Bama, Saban, and “kick 6” to this situation. I know Saban’s SEC record compared to Stoops record. Saban tried to win the game! You do realize UK was behind at that point! You must of thought going for it on your own 31 last week was a good move by Stoops? UK didn’t get in the red zone all game, defend Stoops to 4 win season. I remember Saban winning 7 National Titles! Straight comedy
No, I am not comparing the two coaches. What I trying to convey is some people will criticize any coach, even a coach like Saban, for any play call that doesn’t go their teams way. Stoops probably felt he had the best chance to win by putting his strongest unit out there and trying to get the ball back with enough time to score, but it didn’t work out. Saban thought the field goal attempt was the best option, and it didn’t work out.
As for the four win season, we don’t know how many games each team will win. I think UGA will be in the playoffs, and I have no clue as to what the final win total will be for the Cats.
You think you have to be a HC to criticize a HC? That’s not how fandom works.
I was so happy to see the punt cuz the Dawgs were on their heels. Yeah Ky got the ball back but it was too late.
The Kentucky season is pretty much over now. In the current landscape it’s basically a double elimination regular season to make the playoff. Stoops played for the moral victory and that is the result he got. It will be interesting to see how the locker room holds up with 80% of the season remaining, and nothing really that meaningful to play for. It’s all because Stoops didn’t want to take the chance on a 4th and 8.