Mark Stoops defends fourth quarter decision to not go for it on fourth down

Kentucky suffered its second loss of the season in Week 9 at Mississippi State. The Wildcats struggled offensively and also struggled to contain the Bulldogs on offense. In the fourth quarter, Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops opted to punt the ball back to Mississippi State on fourth-and-10 with less than eight minutes remaining in the game. Kentucky was on their own 37-yard line, but with a two score deficit and little time, the decision was questioned by some.

After the game, Stoops defended Kentucky’s decision to punt the ball back to Mississippi State. Stoops said that if Kentucky went for it on fourth down and didn’t get it, the game would have been over right there.

“Wasn’t ready to give up at that point,” Stoops said. “I mean we tried to get a stop and nothing really worked. At that point if we give it up then it’s a complete give up if we don’t get the first down. It’s over.”

Kentucky turned the ball over four times, including three interceptions from quarterback Will Levis. Mississippi State’s offense also had no issues moving the ball against Kentucky. Bulldogs quarterback Will Rogers was efficient, going 36-of-39 for 344 yards and a touchdown.

Stoops was disappointed by Kentucky’s effort against Mississippi State

After the loss to Mississippi State, Stoops was very clear in his disappointment in his team’s effort.

“Pretty difficult to have an opening statement because it’s been a while since we played a game like that,” said Stoops in his postgame press conference. “So, not a very good feeling. They beat us in all phases. I thought physically they played extremely hard [and] we didn’t match the intensity.

“Felt like we got pushed around. We were not able to run the ball, they ran the ball. They made competitive plays, outcoached us — outplayed us in every area. So overall just a very deflating defeat. They kicked our butts.”

Moving forward, Stoops wants to avoid efforts like Kentucky had against Mississippi State. He said that he doesn’t want to have a football team that plays like that.

“We have to address it,” stated Stoops. “It’s not a good feeling. I don’t want to have a football team like this. I don’t think these guys want to play that way. That’s not who we’re going to be, that’s not going to be our identity. We’ll get back to work and get it fixed. Make sure we get the right guys on the field who want to continue to play like we play.”