Jacquez Jones feels it is important to show younger players how to approach a bowl game. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Different players react in different ways to playing in season-ending bowl games.
Kentucky has won four straight bowl games going into Saturday’s Music City Bowl matchup with Iowa, a team it beat in last year’s Citrus Bowl.
“Everybody is having fun but at the end of the day we have a game to play. We still have to handle business,” UK senior linebacker Jacquez Jones said.
Jones transferred from Ole Miss to Kentucky last season but missed the bowl game with an injury. He says that makes the bowl game “big” for him.
“I didn’t get a chance to play last year because I was out with an injury. I have been out this year with an injury,” Jones, who was injured midseason but returned to play in the win over Louisville, said. “It means a lot to me and everybody. It is our last time together and we have got to make it count.”
Even though he won’t be back at UK next season, he says winning the bowl game is important to set the tone for 2023 and avoid having a “bad taste” from now until then.
While some players opt out of playing in bowl games to prepare for the NFL or miss because they enter the transfer portal, Jones never considered that option and hopes younger players pay attention to the example he is setting.
“I want to be here for the younger guys,” he said after Tuesday’s practice in Nashville. “I could opt out and get ready for the next level. I love Kentucky. The NFL is not guaranteed.
“I want to play my last game and show these young guys when you get to my level you still need to lead by example.”
