Patrick Towles' Monday Morning Wakeup

Photo: Mark Zerof

Yesterday’s news that Patrick Towles will transfer hit me like Kentucky’s loss to Louisville: sad, but expected. Patrick’s career at Kentucky had its highs — wins over South Carolina and Missouri — and its lows — 14 interceptions to only 9 touchdowns this season; however, if we learned one thing on Saturday, it’s that the junior from Fort Thomas was not to blame for the offense’s woes this year. Patrick’s inconsistency certainly didn’t help UK move the ball this season, but without Boom Williams, Drew Barker was faced with the same problems in the second half against Louisville. Few quarterbacks could overcome receiver drops, questionable play calling, and little protection from their line. Things got so bad late in the game that the staff went back to Patrick, but it was too little too late. His final play in Commonwealth Stadium — an interception on Louisville’s 4-yard line — felt like a cruel twist of the knife.

It’s not worth debating whether Patrick or Drew Barker deserved to be Kentucky’s starting quarterback next season. It’s the Drew Barker show from now on and Drew showed a lot of promise (albeit inexperience) in the past few games. The shift to Barker reflects the cold reality of sports; someone always gets left behind. And it really hurts that that someone is a kid who has done nothing but love Kentucky football his entire life.

Patrick committed to Kentucky back in April 2011 as a four-star recruit from Fort Thomas, a huge coup for Randy Sanders and Joker Phillips. At the time, the grandson of Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher and US Senator Jim Bunning was billed as Kentucky’s “quarterback of the future.” He planned to redshirt his freshman year but was forced into action due to injuries only to injure his own ankle after leading the Cats to a touchdown on his first possession. He redshirted the next season, after which many speculated he would transfer. Instead, he went to California to work with renowned quarterback coach George Whitfield Jr. and transformed his game. That fall, he won the starting quarterback spot and he won it again this season, only to lose it with two games left.

Some in the fan base are accusing Patrick of quitting. Those people need to shut up. For four years, Patrick has given his all to the Kentucky football program. With the staff headed in a different direction, it was time for Patrick to decide whether or not he really wanted to pursue playing football at the next level. Earlier this season, he was touted as an NFL prospect. He has the size, but if he stayed at Kentucky, he probably wouldn’t have the stage. With his degree in hand, Patrick can transfer to another program — Duke is being mentioned, but don’t rule out Hogwarts — as a fifth-year senior and play immediately. What happens from there is up to him, but at least he’s going for it. Personally, I’ll be rooting like hell for him to succeed.

In a time of uncertainty around the program, one thing is certain: Patrick Towles deserves a better ending. I really hope he gets it.

With that rant over, it’s time to go over the plan for a very busy day…

There’s a basketball game tonight

Amid all the negativity around the football program, has there been a more welcome time for a basketball game? The Cats take on Illinois State tonight at 7 p.m. on ESPN2 and the question on everyone’s mind is whether or not Tyler Ulis will play. Ulis hyperextended his elbow against South Florida on Friday and is listed as day-to-day. While we’re hearing the injury is not serious, I wouldn’t be surprised if Calipari held Tyler out tonight to ensure he’s ready to roll against UCLA on Thursday.

Kentucky opened as a 19-point favorite

Illinois State is 3-4 with one of those losses coming to #2 Maryland. The Redbirds actually led the Terrapins by two with under six minutes left before Maryland went on a 21-8 run to win the game 77-66. I’ll have more on Illinois State later today, but a quick glance tells me they’ve got a talented point guard in Paris Lee and an impressive scorer in DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell. I’m not expecting an upset or anything, but Kentucky will need to play with more energy than it has the past three games, especially if they’re without Ulis.

What will happen next with the football program?

Aside from Ulis, this is probably the other biggest question weighing on my mind. At 5-7, will Kentucky still go to a bowl? If so, when will they find out? Will there be any big staffing changes? KSR is hearing two could be on the way. Who will be the sacrificial lamb? Will there be any more transfers? What about recruiting??

Just thinking about it makes my head hurt.

I saw “Mockingjay, Part 2” and it sucked.

If watching UK football lose to Louisville wasn’t torture enough, my husband and I decided to go see “Mockingjay Part 2” yesterday when we got back to Nashville. I’ve read the entire Hunger Games series, enjoyed the movies thus far and was looking for a nice escape from reality. Unfortunately, the movie sucked. “Mockingjay” was by far my least favorite of the books, a brutal battle story with little levity, so I wasn’t surprised, but man. Not even Jennifer Lawrence could save it. Save yourself the pain and go see “Creed,” like I should have.

Kobe Bryant’s goodbye letter to basketball was amazing

I’ve never been a huge Kobe Bryant fan, but even I teared up a little bit when I read the poem he wrote announcing his retirement from basketball after this season. If you missed it, click on over to The Players Tribune to read it. Regardless of how you feel about Kobe, it’s a beautiful love letter to the game from one of its best:

You gave a six-year-old boy his Laker dream
And I’ll always love you for it.
But I can’t love you obsessively for much longer.
This season is all I have left to give.
My heart can take the pounding
My mind can handle the grind
But my body knows it’s time to say goodbye.

😢

Are you in Wichita, Kansas? Go see the guys at Pie Five Pizza

The KSR Road Trip Across America Sponsored By Sternberg Automotive and Pie Five Pizza rolls on, and after watching Chiefs/Bills in the rain at Arrowhead Stadium, the guys are in Wichita to hang out, eat some more pizza, and talk Cats. If you’re in the area (334 South Ridge Road), come on out and say hello. And tell Ryan to call his wife.