KSR Today: Kentucky Football continues to break barriers

ZGeogheganKSR

On3 image — Photo by Dr. Michael Huang | Kentucky Sports Radio

Mark Stoops sure has come a long way in nine years as the head coach at Kentucky. From a 2-10 record in his first season to a 10-3 finish in 2021, Stoops is taking the UK program to heights that were legitimately unthinkable just a decade ago.

2022 MOOD pic.twitter.com/lXwE9WiZ6O
— Tyler Thompson (@MrsTylerKSR) January 1, 2022

New Year’s Eve was another milestone for his career and the future of Wildcat Football. Kentucky fumbled away a 13-3 halftime lead against Iowa in the Jan. 1 Citrus Bowl, falling down 17-13 before mounting a touchdown drive on its very final possession to seal the 20-17 win in classically dramatic fashion. Kentucky has now won 10 games twice in the last four seasons (both ending in Citrus Bowl victories) and has won four straight bowl games (only Alabama can say the same).

The next barrier to break will be the toughest yet, though. Making it to Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game is always going to be the biggest hurdle for Stoops and company. But you help yourself get there as a program when you beat nationally respected schools such as Iowa and Penn State in Citrus Bowls. You help by bringing in a top 15 recruiting class to build off that momentum. Kentucky still isn’t on the same level as the Georgias and Alabamas of the world, but the gap it’s closer than it’s probably ever been.

Don’t let me get too far ahead of myself though. Let’s bask in the glory of another Citrus Bowl win for just a bit longer. This was a special team with special players. Even though several key members of the roster were missing due to injuries or COVID-19, they still pulled out the dub. A good chunk of UK’s core will return in 2022, keeping those dreams of a December 2022 trip to Atlanta very much alive.

The KSR crew worked its ass off yesterday with bowl game coverage, which we have conveniently listed right here for your viewing pleasure. Make sure to check it all out!

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Citrus Bowl Postgame Links

Another postponement for WBB

For the third time in four games (and second in a row), Kentucky Women’s Basketball won’t play due to COVID-19 issues. The first two were related to other programs dealing with the virus, but this time around, it’s the Wildcats that have been hit.

As a result, Kentucky’s home game against Mississippi State on Monday, Jan. 3 has been postponed. UK’s game against Auburn was postponed earlier this week and a matchup against Morgan State scheduled for Dec. 17 was also postponed, both due to COVID-19 issues within those programs.

“Due to a combination of positive tests, contact tracing and subsequent quarantining of individuals within the Kentucky women’s basketball program, Monday’s Kentucky vs. Mississippi State game has been postponed, consistent with Southeastern Conference COVID-19 management requirements,” UK Athletics wrote in its press release.

‘Cats in the NFL: Week 17

1:00 (FOX): Falcons @ Bills
1:00 (CBS): Giants @ Bears
1:00 (CBS): Chiefs @ Bengals
1:00 (CBS): Dolphins (L. Bowden Jr.) @ Titans (B. Dupree)
1:00 (FOX): Raiders @ Colts
1:00 (CBS): Jaguars (J. Allen) @ Patriots
1:00 (FOX): Bucaneers (M. Edwards) @ Jets (B. Echols)
1:00 (FOX): Eagles @ Washington (J. Davis, J. Toth)
1:00 (FOX): Rams @ Ravens (C. Westry)
4:05 (CBS): Broncos @ Chargers
4:05 (CBS): Texans @ 49ers
4:25 (FOX): Cardinals (C. Peters) @ Cowboys (K. Joseph)
4:25 (FOX): Panthers @ Saints
4:25 (FOX): Lions @ Seahawks
8:20 (NBC): Vikings @ Packers