Missouri's Marquis Johnson scores on a 39-yard play on a fake punt play against Kentucky. (Vicky Graff Photo)
It was just one play but it changed the game when Missouri faked a punt from the UK 39-yard line and punter Luke Bauer threw a 39-yard scoring strike over Kentucky cornerback Andru Phillips.
That turned a 14-0 UK lead into a 14-7 edge in the second quarter and Missouri dominated the rest of the game to win 38-21
“It is one of those plays that feels like it punches you right in the gut. And we didn’t respond very good after that,” Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said.
What is perplexing is that UK was in its “punt safe” defense with its normal defense on the field except for returner Tayvion Robinson. Still, Missouri felt the play was there according to coach Eli Drinkwitz.
“We just knew from scouting that there was an opportunity. They go safe defense once you cross the 50. So, we knew anytime we crossed the 50 if they went safe defense that we had that call on and we’ve practiced it all week, and you know, down 14 nothing what do you have to lose at that point,” Drinkwitz said.
“So we said let’s roll it and Luke made an unbelievable throw and Marquis (Johnson) made a great catch. Luke celebrated so much that he wasn’t out there as the holder for the extra point because he didn’t understand that if you throw a touchdown then you’re supposed to go be the holder.”
Missouri might not have had anything to lose but Kentucky sure did and was caught totally off guard when Bauer, a former baseball player, threw a perfect strike down the sideline.
“We ran it all week, so I had a good feeling we were going to run it, and it worked out,” Bauer said. “I just knew how to go out there and put the ball in the right spot.”
Drinkwitz said it was an “unbelievable spark” for his team.
“That’s all we needed. We just needed something to believe in and that’s what good football teams do is find a way to win in all three phases. When somebody’s not performing one of those phases step up,” the Missouri coach said.
Now Kentucky needs something to believe in after a 5-0 start has turned into a 5-2 season with three of the final games left on the road.
2 Responses
I don’t know which is worse…was our punt coverage that bad on that play or is that the way we are being coached to play?
I wonder if it ever dawned on Brad White that the kicker might actually be able to throw the ball? I don’t know what KY is going to do in the off season but the Cats have soooo many needs. We need CB’s that can actually play the position, we need receivers that can catch the ball, and an accurate passer.
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