Mark Stoops says he’s ‘not optimistic’ Joey Gatewood will play against Auburn
By SDS Staff
Published:
The status of Joey Gatewood is fittingly one of the biggest storylines heading into Saturday’s Kentucky-Auburn game. Last year, Gatewood transferred from Auburn to Kentucky.
On Wednesday, Wildcats coach Mark Stoops shared that the NCAA has granted Gatewood an immediate eligibility waiver for the 2020 season, but UK has not yet received word from the SEC. Current SEC rules state that in-conference transfers must spend an academic “year of residence” before players are eligible to play at their new program.
After Thursday’s practice, Stoops was asked if he expects Gatewood to play on Saturday.
“I have no idea. I am not optimistic that I will get any information in the next 24 hours, no,” Stoops told reporters after Kentucky’s Thursday practice.
In his Auburn career, Gatewood totaled 176 rushing yards on 32 carries with three touchdowns and completed 5-of-8 passes for 54 yards and 2 touchdowns in eight games with Gus Malzahn’s Tigers.
Terry Wilson is back from injury as Kentucky’s starting quarterback with 3-star freshman Beau Allen listed as Wilson’s backup on Kentucky’s official depth chart released Monday morning.
Kentucky and Auburn kick off at noon ET, with the game airing on the SEC Network.
Saturday Down South reports and comments on the news around the Southeastern Conference as well as larger college football topics.
