UK Athletics Photo
Thank goodness for (most) Kentucky fans that the team’s bowl game against No. 22 Clemson was played during the middle of the day on Friday. The Wildcats fell to the Tigers, 38-35, to lose the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl.
Kentucky’s loss came in large part due to turnovers in their own territory. Quarterback Devin Leary had over 300 yards passing and a pair of touchdowns, but unfortunately coughed up two interceptions along with a fumble.
Barion Brown put together a hat trick (returning a kickoff, running in a score and catching one from Leary) but also had a costly fumble trying to make a play after the catch.
Of Kentucky’s four turnovers, Clemson was able to string together 11 points. And though Kentucky forced the Tigers into throwing an interception in the red zone, Kentucky was unable to capitalize on their next drive.
In a nutshell, Kentucky’s turnovers and the fact they gave up 28 points in the fourth quarter after giving up just 10 through three quarters were what cost the Wildcats.
Kentucky out-gained Clemson in the air (306 to 264) and was better in the return game (Brown’s TD), but lost the rushing battle (103-92) and time of possession (35 minutes to 25 minutes).
Both teams appeared to be on the same level, but one was more poised than the other in the final minutes and took much better care of the football down the stretch.
The loss ends Kentucky’s season on a down note for the second consecutive year after the Wildcats were shutout to Iowa in the Music City Bowl last December. While brighter days appear to be ahead for Kentucky, it will be a long wait until September.
4 Responses
Stupid mistakes and inability to catch the ball when it counts. How many times have we said this about the Cats.
We get a lead and then our offense self destructs and our defense plays not to lose…which we eventually do. I am not sure if it’s a coaching issue, the lack of mental toughness, or just the lack of culture that believes it can win big games. It’s probably a mix of all three. As much as Stoops has elevated our program, I sense that we have reached a ceiling with him. He is definitely not earning his $9 million a year salary.
Oh, so the coaches threw the interceptions and did the fumbling in the 4th street? I see.
Fact: with the exception of UL, Kentucky did not beat a team with a winning record this season.
This game, like several others this season, was a winnable game, yet they failed when crunch time came. Clemson’s final drive included EIGHT completed passes, a UK penalty and provided a prime example of how playing soft D loses games. (e.g.-allowing 20 yard cushions, failing to rush more than 3 guys – despite the fact our rush had bothered their QB all day. Blitzing an extra man worked the one time we tried it during the final drive, only to see us give up a 3rd & 18).
We have better players now, yet we lose games like this too often. Answers coaches??!
Very frustrating season ends with another frustrating loss. Someone remind me not to believe all the hype next year.
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