Was the 2020 Football Season a Success?  

Kentucky finished 2020 with a 5-6 record and a win over North Carolina State in the Gator Bowl. UK faced an all-SEC schedule in a year that was filled of adverse and heartbreaking circumstances. So, do you view the 2020 Football Wildcats as a success? I asked a few folks that I value to provide input on this matter. The following post is a mixture of my thoughts combined with those that I consulted. A football season can be critiqued by utilizing differing considerations. The following are measurements that can help to answer the question, was the 2020 Kentucky football season a success?  

WIN/LOSS RECORD

The Cats finished with a 5-6 record. Its wins came against Mississippi State, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, South Carolina and NC State. Losses were vs. Auburn, Ole Miss, Missouri, Georgia, Florida and Alabama. If 2020 had been a “normal” season, UK would not have faced topped ranked Alabama or Ole Miss and that high octane offense. We must also factor in the four non-conference games that were not played due to COVID-19 restraints. The only contested matchup of the four would have been at Louisville. However, if this season has taught us anything, it’s that the ACC wasn’t exactly a strong league. In my interpretation, UK would have retained the Governor’s Cup. 

So, at this point it’s safe to say that in a “normal year” the Cats’ record would have been 9-4. I consider that to be a success. A 9-4 mark would also mean that Kentucky could have likely finished 2020 ranked in the Top 25. 

POSTSEASON PLAY

Mark Stoops’ program won its third consecutive postseason game after beating NC State 23-21 in the Gator Bowl. The final score from Jacksonville was a bit misleading. It felt like UK won by more than two points if that makes sense. At no time in the contest did I feel that Kentucky would lose. The Wildcats were the better team. The Wolfpack was down two defensive stars in NT Alim McNeil and LB Payton Wilson. Their absence was felt. However, I don’t think the final outcome would have been different due to their presence. 

STYLE POINTS

This category isn’t as favorable, especially when discussing the Wildcats’ offense. Mark Stoops relieved offensive coordinator Eddie Gran and quarterbacks coach Darin Hinshaw of their duties following the South Carolina game. The Wildcat offense finished its season ranked last in the SEC’s Passing Offense category after throwing for just 122 yards per game. The Cats didn’t exactly light up the scoreboard either. It’s listed 11th in the conference by posting 22.1 points per game. It must be noted that running backs Chris Rodriguez Jr. and A.J. Rose recorded several excitable chunk plays. 

Under Eddie Gran, Kentucky was a run-first offense. That continued to be the case in 2020. The Cats rushed for 195.1 yards per game, which was good enough for 3rd in the SEC. But, it was simply impossible to go into 2021 with a non-aerial scheme that scored just over three touchdowns per game in a conference that is now offensive by nature. Mark Stoops made a change. He just had to. Former Rams assistant Liam Coen is now on the clock. 

As bland as the Kentucky offense was, the defense more than made up for it with big play after big play. Brad White’s group led the SEC with 16 interceptions and was opportunistic throughout 2020. Kentucky’s SEC rank in Total Defense is 4th.  The Wildcat defense was exciting, explosive, sound and provided a stark contrast to the offense’s struggling passing attack. 

2020 was a year that special teams were at times, anything but special. There were no exciting kick/punt returns to speak of and errors were far too frequent from Auburn through South Carolina. Ray Guy Award Winner Max Duffy is moving on to the NFL. Kicker Matt Ruffolo bounced back after a rough day vs. Ole Miss to finish 3rd in the SEC in field goal percentage. 

This category could go against the argument for seasonal success. However, I’d state that the defense choreographed numerous explosive plays that saved the day for the Cats on more than one occasion. It wasn’t pretty at times. But that shouldn’t be the deciding factor in measuring the season’s success as a whole. 

CULTURE/PROGRAM PERSONALITY

I realize that we are judging 2020. But, 2021 has been very good for Stoops and staff. This speaks to the culture that has been cultivated for many seasons. Several key personnel pieces decided to return to Lexington for an additional season. Defensively, Brad White is getting back the top returning safety in the SEC in Yusuf Corker. Other defensive personnel returning are: Do-it-all defensive back Quandre Mosely, starting linebacker DeAndre Square and team captain DE Josh Paschal. These key players will boost UK’s on-the-field prowess. LB Jamin Davis has yet to make his announcement at the time this post was sent to the KSR editorial staff. What the returning players mean in the locker room is equally as essential. Paschal is a team captain and an undeniable leader. Corker is a seasoned veteran and a coach on the field. As the old saying goes, “You can’t teach experience.”  

The Big Blue Wall was expected to look a great deal different in 2021. Not now. All-American tackle Darian Kinnard and starting guard Luke Fortner will be back on the field together. This is huge in every sense of the term. Leading receiver WR Josh Ali decided to take on another senior season and will serve as the most experienced pass catcher for new offensive coordinator Liam Coen. Justin Rigg announced his return and will be the most seasoned tight end in UK’s most skilled position group. 

I refer any questions about the culture of the Kentucky Football program to two numbers: 65 and 22. Both are now a part of program lore. Offensive linemen wore 65 to honor the great John Schlarman. The Big Blue Wall paid tribute to their leader by playing physical football, just as John taught them to do. Defensive players honored LB Chris Oats by sporting his number 22 jersey. Oats is a spirited, highly talented defender that missed the 2020 season after suffering from a health condition. His presence could be felt. So could John Schlarmans. 

Kentucky Football is on solid ground. Its personality is that of a blue collar, hard working collection of role players. In other words, a team jam packed with tough guys that didn’t mail it in during the 2020 season. If judging this season’s success by culture, the overwhelming response would be a success. 

INDIVIDUAL ACCOLADES

2020 brought on several individual awards. Tackle Darian Kinnard was named to several All-American Teams. RB Chris Rodriguez was listed as an All-American by PFF. Tackle Landon Young, punter Max Duffy and center Drake Jackson littered All-SEC teams. OLB JJ Weaver was named All-SEC Freshman as voted on by the conference’s coaches. Safety Yusuf Corker, cornerback Kelvin Joseph and nose tackle Quinton Bohanna were listed as all conference by Pro Football Focus and Phil Steele. The Big Blue Wall was yet again a finalist for the Joe Moore Award. 

Off the field, guard Luke Fortner was on the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. Fellow guard Kenneth Horsey was tagged as the Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year. Award season was kind to the Cats which has to be looked upon as a success. 

WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN? 

I’ve said this on numerous occasions and I’ll say it again. Mark Stoops has built a cultured program in Lexington, not a mere collection of teams. There is a difference. After a year of hardships, momentum has shifted in favor of the Wildcats. I view this season as a success for many reasons. Overcoming the heart breaking loss of John Schlarman was tough. Really tough. Same can be said with the absence of Chris Oats. It can’t be overstated of just how popular Oats is in that locker room and how badly his teammates missed his presence. 

On the field, the Cats fought through offensive woes. It was supported by a stingy and resourceful defense that almost singlehandedly won games against Mississippi State, Tennessee and a top 25 NC State football team. 2021 is here. The new year brings forth a plethora of opportunity. The Kentucky Football program is in a good place. God only knows that it deserves to be after a challenging 2020.  

The 2020 Kentucky Football Wildcats were a success.