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Kentucky

Mark Stoops reaffirms heartfelt message to Big Blue Nation

Wade-Peeryby:Wade Peery•10/06/21
Mark Stoops
(Photo courtesy of Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Kentucky head football coach Mark Stoops made sure that the Big Blue Nation knew just how much of an impact they had in the 20-13 upset win over No. 10 Florida on Saturday.

Earlier this week, he once again wanted to let fans know again how big of a difference they made in the massive upset victory.

“That was the first thing I did Saturday, right? I’ll do it again today…I meant it. The minute I came in here. I said that one was for the Big Blue Nation because of a lot of reasons,” Stoops said.

“There’s the tough times for so many years for certain teams. I know the frustration I’ve just felt since I’ve been here. And for them to come out and affect that game, it helped determine the outcome of that game. I know it’s special to the Big Blue Nation. So once again, I can’t thank them enough. They certainly were a big part of determining the outcome of the football game. And that’s home-field advantage. And I really look forward to having that each and every week.”

Pivotal blocked kick against Florida

The Kentucky fans undoubtedly impacted the outcome of the Wildcats’ upset win over Florida.

Listen as they erupt during the game-changing blocked kick by Josh Pascal.

The game-changing blocked kick was returned for a touchdown and proved to be crucial in the Wildcats pulling off the 20-13 stunning upset.

After the victory, the Kentucky fans stormed the field and the school had to pay a $250,000 fine, though the school surely didn’t regret having to pay one bit.

Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops continues to work magic

Mark Stoops, now in his ninth year at Kentucky, has turned a “basketball school” into a formidable opponent in the SEC. 

“I think the Kentucky story continues to be a great one,” Herbstreit said Monday on The ESPN College Football Podcast. “I just don’t think people understand what Mark Stoops has done in Lexington… What he’s doing, other than maybe Bear Bryant, it’s never been done there. Ever. Ever.”

Stoops has an overall record of 54-50 at Kentucky, but he is 42-27 since 2016. In 2018, Kentucky won 10 games for the first time since 1977, and they finished ranked No. 12 in the final AP Poll. Additionally, Stoops has won three straight bowl games, and the team looks to be headed for a sixth straight bowl berth yet again this season.

“How his name when these jobs open up, how he’s not looked at as top tier,” Herbstreit added, “If a job opened up tomorrow, right away what’re you going to hear? [Cincinnati’s] Luke Fickell. [Iowa State’s] Matt Campbell. And I get it. But how in the world do people not look at what Mark Stoops has done with where he is. He lives in the SEC East, he’s recruiting against the SEC East, and he’s competing every single year with the SEC East.”

Herbstreit makes some incredibly good points about Stoops. The SEC is the most difficult football conference in America to survive in as a college football head coach. There’s a reason that a lot of coaches don’t last and it’s called America’s biggest coaching graveyard.

The Wildcats are off to a 5-0 start this year. They are now the No. 16 team in the country, and contests against LSU and Georgia in the next two weeks will give them an opportunity to prove they are a real contender.

On3’s Ashton Pollard also contributed to the report.