Mark Stoops explains decision to punt in 4th quarter vs. Georgia
Mark Stoops and the Kentucky Wildcats drew the ire of fans watching Saturday night’s game against No. 1 Georgia with a curious decision in the fourth quarter.
Facing a 4th and 8 (and then a 4th and 13 after a penalty) inside Georgia territory with time winding down, Stoops sent out the Kentucky punt team. The decision to punt was harshly criticized on social media after Georgia killed the clock and held on for a narrow 13-12 win in Lexington.
However, after the game, Stoops defended the punt, saying it gave the Wildcats the best chance to win:
Mark Stoops defends his decision to punt the ball with 3 minutes to play. pic.twitter.com/ARjrbS9f3R
— KSR (@KSRonX) September 15, 2024
“People are going to question the fourth down,” he said in his postgame press conference. “I don’t … you know I’ve been honest with you for 12 years. If I think I made a mistake, like last week, I’ll tell you. I don’t regret punting that ball. I felt like if we went for it there and don’t make it, then our offense, if we stop them, has to go the length of the field. That was going to be tough against that defense.”
Would Kentucky have converted if it went for it on 4th down? That’s impossible to know for sure. Stoops did what he thought was right at the time, but Kentucky still ended up on the wrong side of a 13-12 heartbreaker.
Brock is just not a dynamic QB. I was amazed how well UK ran the ball and defended the run. I’m still on the fence on UGa’s run game. Very mediocre at best and really I don’t think the run game has been very dominant even in those championship years.
If Kirby’s defense has a weakness, it’s defending running QBs, and Brock can flat-out go. Dawgs will get tested in two weeks – no doubt. Did y’all really kick an on-sides kick up 30-0 last night?
It was a practice so we practiced everything.
I agree with the punt decision. 4th and 8 vs that D and without much of a passing threat is pretty close to a no brainer especially when your D has been playing so good. Ga seemed to really surprise them with that pass though. That was a back breaker.
I think you have to go for it in that situation. You have a chance to beat the #1 ranked team! He had to know there was a good chance Ky wouldn’t get the ball back.
If you don’t get the first down, at least you tried. I’ll bet if you ask the players on offense, 100% of them would say GO FOR IT!
Stoops probably regrets he didn’t quick kick on third down.