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Kentucky coaching staff criticized for bone-headed decision declining a penalty
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Kentucky finds itself trailing Ole Miss on the road in the first half of Saturday’s SEC showdown between 2 top-15 teams.
Midway through the 2nd quarter, Wildcats coach Mark Stoops made a curious decision.
On a 3rd-down play, Stoops declined a holding penalty that would have pushed the Rebels out of field goal range.
Granted, it was going to be a long attempt, but Jonathan Cruz split the uprights from 53 yards to push Ole Miss’ advantage at the time to 19-6.
It’s a decision that Stoops will likely be asked about after the game.
But it’s one that has drawn plenty of criticism on social media this afternoon:
I was shocked Kentucky declined the holding penalty that would have pushed Ole Miss out of field goal range. Sure they could have gotten back those yards but it was worth a shot.
— Big Blue Express (@bigbluexpress) October 1, 2022
Someone want to explain to me the thought process behind Kentucky not taking that penalty to push Ole Miss out of field goal range?
— C.J. Wise (@_woodChuck) October 1, 2022
Why the f*** would Kentucky decline a penalty when Ole Miss is in field goal range?
— BigBallSack69 (@sburgh) October 1, 2022
Kentucky is brain dead. They decline the penalty so ole miss can kick a field goal?
— 2teamteaser (@coverthespread1) October 1, 2022
Y did Kentucky decline the penalty u just gave them 3 points.
— Nick McCardell (@UKhoops1_BBN) October 1, 2022
why would kentucky decline that holding call? they were on the 35??? take the penalty and make them get those yards to kick the field goal and if not they punt. terrible decision
— Kris Briñker (@br1nker) October 1, 2022
How does Kentucky not accept that penalty and push them out of fg range. Awful coach decision.
— erik lowery (@southpaw1116) October 1, 2022
Idiotic by Kentucky not to accept that holding penalty and give Ole Miss a free 3 points. Also their defense isn’t ready 85% of the snaps. Other than that they are doing great. #kentucky
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) October 1, 2022
https://twitter.com/champagnapapi_/status/1576259398741041152?s=20&t=7nvYXogiefxeHuk2QdB2Gg
Kentucky should not have declined that holding penalty. Cost them 3 points.
— High On The Hogs ? (@HogFan0000) October 1, 2022
Is the Kentucky coach brain dead? Declines a penalty that would’ve taken Ole Miss out of FG range.
— Jono (@jonocrockett) October 1, 2022
Kentucky did answer the field goal with a touchdown drive and now trails 19-12 late in the 1st half.
"Chris Wallace covers college football for Saturday Down South. He has covered college athletics for multiple newspapers and also worked previously for Rivals.com and GolfChannel.com."
