Mark Stoops explains how Kentucky can shut the door on Clemson in Gator Bowl

Kentucky entered the fourth quarter with an 11-point lead over Clemson in the Gator Bowl. Now, with 15 minutes between the Wildcats and their fifth postseason win in six years, Mark Stoops has noted what he’s looking for during the finish down in Jacksonville.

Stoops spoke with ESPN’s Taylor Tannebaum heading into the fourth quarter. The first thing he wanted to see was a stop from his defense to open the final period with the Tiger offense on the goal line.

“Well, you know, we’ve got the ball on the one right now with third and one. So this is a big possession right here,” said Stoops.

However, since that interview, Clemson was able to rush in their second score of the game, both of which came from Phil Mafah. That cut the margin to five with a 21-16 lead after the Tigers missed on their two-point conversion.

That’s why, over the last quarter, Stoops also highlighted better consistency from his team as a need. On offense, he wants to get both aspects of their attack going. Meanwhile, on defense, he was none too pleased with a few of their miscues, specifically one significant one in the third quarter.

“Again, we’ve got to be more consistent,” said Stoops. “We’ve got to be able to run the ball, have the balance we’re looking for. Defensively, the penalty there on fourth down was inexcusable there.”

Kentucky has just over 10 minutes left to hang on against Clemson inside EverBank Stadium. If they can take head of their head coach’s requirements, they’ll have a great chance to close it out against the Tigers.

Barion Brown scores record-breaking, 100-yard kick return vs. Clemson

Barion Brown has made several opponents pay in the return game over his two seasons at Kentucky. Now, in the Gator Bowl against Clemson, the sophomore receiver has done so once again.

Brown had already scored a touchdown in the first half against Clemson. Then, coming out of the half, he broke off another kick return score to add to his career’s total.

.@BarionBrown goes 100 yards for the kick return TOUCHDOWN. pic.twitter.com/6WpbcY4k1Y

— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) December 29, 2023

This return was the longest in the 79-game history of the Gator Bowl. For Brown, it also gave him the new school record for kickoff return touchdowns both in a single season (three) and in a career (four).

Through three quarters, Brown had caught three passes for 38 yards. He also scored his lone toss run from 22 yards out for the game’s first trip to the endzone. For those counting at home, that gives Brown a total of 160 yards of offense and two scores off of five touches against the Tigers.