The recent news that broke regarding Kentucky football’s 2021 season was a rather large surprise to so many that follow the program.
According to a NCAA ruling, Kentucky football committed Level II violations as 11 players were paid for work they did not do and as a result the program’s 2021 season has been vacated.Media received statements almost immediately from athletic director Mitch Barnhart and school president Eli Capilouto but not a peep from head football coach Mark Stoops.
Not until over the weekend when Stoops said the following.
“I really can’t say much… The NCAA has asked me not to say anything about it. I’m not dodging it… I’m really worried about right now (this season).”
The full extent of Stoops’ comments can be found here.
Interesting that the NCAA asked Stoops to not comment on the matter. Why? We’ll probably never know. But he does have a point that the ruling was for games that were played three seasons ago and the team plays their 2024 season opener in less than three weeks.
The UK head coach is putting all of his efforts into this season. Considering the team has “underperformed” with back-to-back 7-6 seasons and the 10-win season from 2021 now officially vacated, there is some urgency for Stoops and his team to put together a big year.
Kentucky has a rather brutal schedule lying ahead, with road trips to Ole Miss, Florida, Tennessee and Texas. Having eight home games is of course ideal, but Kentucky will still have to face South Carolina, Georgia, Auburn and Louisville in four of those.
Southern Miss, Ohio, Vanderbilt and Murray State are well spaced throughout the season and Kentucky will be largely favored in each matchup.
