Mark Stoops Gives Bush Hamdan Vote of Confidence

The SEC campaign has reached a conclusion and it’s one of the worst offensive seasons Kentucky football fans have seen in a very long time.

The Wildcats did not score more than 20 points in an SEC game. The last time that happened, Jerry Claiborne’s first team went 0-10-1 back in 1982. Kentucky only scored 10 offensive touchdowns in eight games. They averaged 12 offensive points per game.

When the offense is this bad, naturally there are going to be questions about the offensive coordinator. Mark Stoops was asked to confirm that he’s committed to Bush Hamdan long-term.

“That’s hard to even answer because I don’t want it to be a headline. Of course, he’s coming back,” Stoops said. “There’s a lot of moving pieces where we need to get better.”

Stoops is sticking with Hamdan because he needs to stick with something. It’s been a rotating door at offensive coordinator. The Wildcats have broken in a new play-caller in six straight seasons. In the Kentucky head coach’s eyes, hitting the reset button doesn’t fix the problem, it makes it worse.

“We’ve got to take a hard look at ourselves. It starts with me and seeing how we can play more and more consistent,” Hamdan said after the 31-14 loss to Texas. “There’s not a ton that needs to be said or can be said right now. We’ve got to do a couple things, you know what I mean, to take the next step.”

Cutter Boley Might Provide Optimism for the Offense’s Future

How exactly does Kentucky clean up this offensive mess? They went young in the second half. True freshman Cutter Boley entered the game at quarterback and completed 10-18 passes for 160 yards and an interception.

“It’s been the second week for him where he’s making plays off-schedule when certain things weren’t there. It’s good to see him in that environment and not be too frazzled and play the way he did,” said Hamdan.

Another true freshman, tight end Willie Rodriguez, led the team in receiving with three receptions for 53 yards. Redshirt freshman Jamarion Wilcox led the Cats in rushing with 50 yards on 11 carries.

“Our young players and the attitude of our team, the way we’re recruiting. You gotta fill some holes. You have to get better in certain areas…,” Mark Stoops said. “We have good young talent. We have guys that care. And I feel like we are excited to hit that trail and recruit some more, attract a few more guys who can take us to a different position.”

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