Tag: Kentucky Wildcats

Kentucky receives fourth-most votes for Top 25 consideration in new US LBM Coaches Poll

Kentucky received 23 votes for consideration in the new US LBM College Football Coaches Poll, released Tuesday.

The Kentucky Wildcats’ 31-0 shutout victory over Southern Miss last Saturday didn’t go unnoticed by the coaches who make up the US LBM Coaches Poll.

Kentucky received 23 votes for consideration in the new Coaches Poll, released Tuesday. That was the fourth-most votes for any team outside the Top 25. Georgia Tech received the most votes for consideration with 86, followed by Texas A&M (78) and Memphis (43).

Georgia remained No. 1 following its dominant 34-3 victory over Clemson in the Aflac Kickoff Game in Atlanta on Saturday. Ohio State stayed at No. 2, while No. 3 Texas, No. 4 Alabama and No. 5 Ole Miss all jumped ahead of Oregon. The Ducks fell three spots to No. 6 after a 24-14 victory over Idaho, an FCS team. Oregon closed as a 49.5-point favorite against the Vandals.

The SEC led the way with eight teams ranked in the coaches poll, followed by the Big Ten with seven.

Typically, the Coaches and AP polls are released every Sunday. This week’s release was delayed due to games being played Sunday and Monday.

Kentucky hosts South Carolina in both teams’ SEC opener Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET at Kroger Field. The game can be seen on ABC.

A look at the full Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports:

Ranking Team Record Points
1 Georgia Bulldogs 1-0 1,371 (51)
2 Ohio State Buckeyes 1-0 1,316 (3)
3 Texas Longhorns 1-0 1,245 (1)
4 Alabama Crimson Tide 1-0 1,172
5 Ole Miss Rebels 1-0 1,081
6 Oregon Ducks 1-0 1,080
7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish 1-0 1,079
8 Penn State Nittany Lions 1-0 987
9 Michigan Wolverines 1-0 919
10 Missouri Tigers 1-0 848
11 Utah Utes 1-0 779
12 Tennessee Volunteers 1-0 753
13 Oklahoma Sooners 1-0 705
14 USC Trojans 1-0 655
15 Miami Hurricanes 1-0 650
16 Kansas State Wildcats 1-0 537
17 Oklahoma State Cowboys 1-0 499
18 Arizona Wildcats 1-0 348
19 LSU Tigers 0-1 341
20 Kansas Jayhawks 1-0 295
21 Iowa Hawkeyes 1-0 260
22 Clemson Tigers 0-1 223
23 North Carolina State Wolfpack 1-0 154
24 Louisville Cardinals 1-0 101
25 Washington Huskies 1-0 95

Schools Dropped Out

No. 10 Florida State; No. 20 Texas A&M

Others Receiving Votes

Georgia Tech 86; Texas A&M 78; Memphis 43; Kentucky 23; Boise State 22; SMU 19; Auburn 13; Wisconsin 11; Iowa State 10; UNLV 9; Tulane 9; Maryland 9; Liberty 9; Nebraska 8; Boston College 7; South Florida 5; James Madison 4; Air Force 4; UTSA 3; North Carolina 3; Appalachian State 3; Texas State 2; Syracuse 1; Coastal Carolina 1

Mark Stoops talks Kentucky football rivalry with South Carolina

For the most part, it’s always been a close contest when Kentucky and South Carolina meet on the gridiron.

Now in his 12th season in Lexington, Mark Stoops has seen enough of the annual Kentucky-South Carolina game to know his team is more than likely in for a close contest when the two teams meet again Saturday.

Fresh off of last week’s 31-0 shutout victory over Southern Miss, the Wildcats open SEC play Saturday when the Gamecocks visit Kroger Field for a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff. The game can be seen on ABC.

At his weekly Monday press conference, Stoops talked about the rivalry with South Carolina and how close the games always seem to be. With the exception of a three-year period between 2018-2020, every contest between the two programs has been decided by 10 points or less since Stoops’ first year at the helm in 2013.

“South Carolina is a team that we always seem to have good games with through my many years here,” Stoops acknowledged. “Always a very good game, always evenly matched. We’re looking forward to that challenge.”

The Gamecocks slipped past the Wildcats 17-14 a year ago after Spencer Rattler converted a 3rd-and-15 from deep in his own territory early in the fourth quarter on a drive that eventually led to the game-winning score.

Stoops was asked about last season’s loss and whether he has brought it up as motivation for this year’s team.

“It’s always new team, new year,” Stoops said. “You’ve heard me say that 100 times, whether it was dealing with good streaks, bad streaks, you name it. Every year is a new year. With that being said, you always try to learn from teams you play. Things that maybe pop up, things that happened. We’re always going to try to learn and grow from mistakes.”

This year, South Carolina has a new quarterback in first-year starter LaNorris Sellers, a three-star prospect who was ranked the 16th best QB in the class of 2023 by 247Sports at the time of his commitment.

Sellers finished 10 of 23 with 114 yards through the air and rushed 22 times for 68 yards and a touchdown in the Gamecocks’ 23-19 victory over Old Dominion last Saturday.

“He’s a dual threat guy. He’s big, he’s strong,” Stoops said of Sellers. “He can throw the heck out of the ball down the field, so you see the arm talent. I think he’s a very good football player that’s going to get better with every snap he takes. Every game, every rep he takes, he’ll improve.”

RELATED: Running back Chip Trayanum will miss Kentucky’s week two game

Stoops also spoke about the key to stopping South Carolina’s two talented edge rushers, senior Kyle Kennard and true freshman and five-star freshman defensive end Dylan Stewart. The duo combined for four sacks and six tackles for loss in South Carolina’s season opener.

“They have a really good combination with 5 (Kennard) and 6 (Stewart), so you can see them both out there. You can’t miss them,” he said. “One is a very mature, older player that’s an impact player in Kennard. And then with Dylan Stewart, five-star freshman, big time player who’s very disruptive.

“Those guys, they’re just very good players. They’re athletic, they get off the football and they attack. They also have a nice feel. When (Old Dominion) tried to bait them upfield and run some draws and things of that nature, they read it well and retraced well, so they’re good, good football players.”

On whether the annual showdown with South Carolina draws more “juice” out of Kentucky, Stoops said only that his team needed to be ready.

“Our guys, after a 2 hour, 20 minute delay last week, they had juice, but it’s really about going out and executing and playing,” he said. “I think the fact that it’s a conference game this early, that definitely amps things up a little bit.”

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Everything Mark Stoops said after season-opening Kentucky football victory

Hear from Mark Stoops after Kentucky’s 24-0 victory over Southern Miss.

Mark Stoops had never seen anything like Saturday’s game.

Kentucky’s season opener was a 31-0 shutout victory over Southern Miss Saturday night at Kroger Field. But it took a painfully long time for it to begin and it included another delay before it ended.

Delayed by over two hours due to lightning strikes in the area, Kentucky didn’t take the field until around 10 p.m. locally. By the time the game was officially called due to more lightning nearby, it was already after midnight and into the next day.

Stoops spoke of the unusual circumstances surrounding the start of his team’s season with reporters after the game.

“Very strange situation there. I’ve been here 12 years and never been through the delays like that,” Stoops said. “I was proud of our team. I talked all week about being so excited for Game 1 and burning all that energy too early — pregame warming, waiting for the game to start — and lo and behold, we get here and get a two-hour delay.”

Stoops said he was pleased with the Wildcats’ performance and that he thought they played “relatively clean.”

“Offensively, I really liked the way we were getting balance in the second quarter as we were getting more comfortable,” he said. “I liked seeing the run game start hitting and then we made some really tough catches, as well.”

One of the bright spots for Kentucky was transfer quarterback Brock Vandagriff, who threw three touchdowns and finished 12 of 18 for 169 yards in his Wildcats debut. He also gained 35 yards on five rushes.

“I thought Brock did a super job of just managing the game,” Stoops said. “First time starting like that in our stadium. I listen to (offensive coordinator Bush) Hamdan a lot, and the way he coaches, he does an excellent job but he talks to them about… a couple of times a game, you’re going to have to make plays with your legs. You’re going to have to make plays by extending it and throwing the ball.

“I thought he did an excellent job of making good decisions: pulling the ball down and scrambling for tough yards, buying time in the pocket to throw it, and then throwing it on time and in rhythm, as well. We hit some shots down the field as we were getting more plays. You guys heard me talk all offseason about getting into a rhythm and making plays, and you saw a glimpse of that today.”

For the most part, Kentucky’s defense looked sharp, holding Southern Miss to just 131 total yards. The unit forced two interceptions by Golden Eagles quarterback Tate Rodemaker, a Florida State transfer.

“The defense played pretty solid,” Stoops said. “I was frustrated giving up a 2nd-and-long play early in the game. That was frustrating, but they did a heck of a job getting the turnovers. They played a couple of situations really good.”

Stoops said the team’s overall performance was a quality effort, given the strange circumstances overshadowing Saturday’s game.

“There’s a lot to build from, but it’s a start,” he said. “What did we play, two quarters and five minutes, 10 minutes? Whatever it was, it’s a different situation, but we’ll make the most of it.”

“I’m proud of our guys, but we’ve got to get back to work. We’ve got a league game (against South Carolina) next week, so get some sleep. It’s late for these guys getting out of here. They’ve got to get home and try to get some sleep. I’m sure they’re going to go right home and get to bed, right?” Stoops jokingly asked.

Here’s everything the Wildcats’ coach said following the game. 

MORE UK WILDCATS WIRE COVERAGE

Kentucky blanks Southern Miss, 31-0, after long night in Lexington

Photo Gallery: Best images from Kentucky’s Week 1 win

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Kentucky blanks Southern Miss, 31-0, after long night in Lexington

Kentucky made the most of the 35 minutes of game time the Wildcats got to play Saturday night, posting a 31-0 shutout victory over Southern Miss.

Kentucky defeated Southern Miss, 31-0, Saturday night at Kroger Field in its 2024 season opener.

Under the circumstances, the Wildcats (1-0) had as strong a start to their season as one could have probably hoped for.

Too bad Mother Nature put a damper on the festivities.

Marred by a delay of almost 2 hours, 30 minutes due to lightning strikes, the game didn’t kick off until around 10 p.m. in the Bluegrass State. Shortly before midnight ET, with Kentucky well in control, another wave of nearby lightning caused the game to be delayed again with just over five minutes gone by in the third quarter.

It took until shortly after 12:30 a.m. locally before officials ruled that the contest was completed.

Here’s what happened when there wasn’t lightning in the skies.

The Wildcats got three touchdown passes from Georgia transfer quarterback Brock Vandagriff, and the defense held Southern Miss (0-1) to just 131 yards of offense. Kentucky posted 317 total yards and had 18 first downs to the Golden Eagles’ seven.

After Vandagriff was intercepted in Southern Miss territory on the Wildcats’ first drive of the game, Golden Eagles quarterback Tate Rodemaker returned the favor when he threw a pass that was picked off by linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson, another Georgia transfer from the offseason.

On the ensuing Kentucky possession, Vandagriff scrambled and converted on a 3rd-and-8 from the 12-yard line to find Barion Brown in the front corner of the end zone for the Wildcats’ first score and a 7-0 lead with 6:03 remaining in the first quarter.

With Southern Miss on the move at the Kentucky 8-yard line on its next offensive series, Rodemaker was picked off again when JQ Hardaway intercepted a pass in the end zone.

Senior kicker Alex Raynor booted a 41-yard field goal midway through the second quarter for a 10-0 Wildcats lead, and on its next possession, Kentucky went 75 yards on seven plays. They capped their third scoring drive with a 1-yard touchdown run from Demie Sumo-Karngbaye for a 17-0 lead with 3:07 to play in the half.

With their offense stuck in neutral, Southern Miss unsuccessfully tried a fake punt on a 4th-and-4 from their own 31. Kentucky took over at the Golden Eagles’ 29 with 1:52 to play.

From there, Vandagriff hit Dane Key for 21 yards and a first down to the 12-yard line. Brown then took a pitch from Vandagriff and ran 12 yards for another touchdown that capped the first half scoring at 24-0 with 31 seconds remaining until halftime. To that point, the ‘Cats had scored on three straight possessions.

Following a brief 10-minute halftime, Vandagriff completed his third touchdown pass of the night when he found Jordan Dingle for 5 yards to give Kentucky a 31-0 lead with 9:56 left in the third quarter.

It would be the final play of the game before play was suspended for good due to lightning.

Vandagriff finished his Kentucky debut 12 of 18 for 169 yards, adding 35 yards on the ground on five carries. He had a 35-yard completion to Key that set up the Wildcats’ third score of the night, and a 46-yard completion to Ja’Mori Maclin on the final drive. Maclin had two catches for 66 yards while Key added another 60 yards on two grabs.

Sumo-Karngbaye led the rushing attack with 59 yards and a touchdown on eight carries. The Wildcats ran for 148 yards to only five rushing yards total for Southern Miss.

Rodemaker, a transfer from Florida State, was 13 of 19 for 126 passing yards to go with the two turnovers.

NEXT UP

Kentucky will host South Carolina, Sept. 7 at 3:30 p.m. ET at Kroger Field. The game will be televised on ABC. The Gamecocks rallied in the fourth quarter Saturday to get past Old Dominion, 23-19.

ESPN unveils full SEC on ABC college football theme song

Here’s a full sneak peak of the new SEC on ABC college football intro/theme song that will air this season.

Fans of SEC football will get their first taste of the new “SEC on ABC” franchise this Saturday when the Florida Gators host the Miami Hurricanes at 3:30 p.m. ET at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on ABC.

A week later, Kentucky will host South Carolina in the Week 2 SEC on ABC window at 3:30 from Kroger Field.

On Thursday, ESPN released its full promo debuting the new theme song, along with an accompanying press release. If the intro sounds familiar to longtime college football fans, it should.

It’s essentially the same theme song ESPN used on college football broadcasts across the nation from the late 1990s and early 2000s, only with a slightly updated and “reimagined” intro.

ANALYSIS

Maybe it’s just me, but with the money ESPN is paying the SEC (The New York Times reported in 2020 that the figure would be around $300 million annually), the Worldwide Leader could have done something more imaginative than merely dust off an old theme song from decades past — even if the network proclaims it a “fan favorite.”

Sure, the SEC was never going to mimic or purchase the familiar “SEC on CBS” intro, which USA TODAY columnist Dan Wolken once described as “a salvo of horns, followed by rhythmic snare drums, 16 notes and then a quick crescendo.”

That intro been used on some level since before CBS became the home of the SEC’s coveted 3:30 kickoff window from 1996-2023. It’s been used for CBS telecasts of Mountain West games and its annual Army vs. Navy and Sun Bowl broadcasts. As out of place as it will feel, that theme will now be the one fans hear when they tune in to Big Ten games in CBS’ 3:30 window (hello, Maryland vs. UCLA!).

Maybe I’m wrong and the theme will grow/regrow on me and others. But it’s hardly as symbolic as that of another theme song from years past that will soon be making a comeback in “Roundball Rock,” NBC’s ultra popular NBA theme/anthem.

Until then, if you have fond memories of Ron Franklin dismissively calling Holly Rowe “sweetheart,” or Brent Musburger screaming “HOLY BUCKEYE!” you’ll still appreciate this theme.

‘SEC on ABC’ won’t feature just one broadcast team

A look at the three broadcast crews who will call SEC on ABC college football games beginning in 2024.

SEC football fans already know the familiar broadcast team of Brad Nessler and Gary Danielson won’t be calling the league’s weekly 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff each Saturday this fall.

The SEC announced in late 2020 that it would part ways with CBS after the 2023 season and would move its marquee game of the week to ABC beginning in 2024. That begins next weekend when Florida hosts Miami in Gainesville in the 3:30 p.m window on ABC. ESPN says it will boast “brand new graphics and animation package” for the weekly 3:30 game.

As for who will call the new “SEC on ABC” games?

ESPN unveiled its 2024 college football broadcast teams this week, and as part of that announcement, the WWL (Worldwide Leader) revealed that SEC fans won’t have the same broadcast team each week in the 3:30 slot the way it did for years with Nessler and Danielson — and previously Danielson and Verne Lundquist.

Instead, ESPN/ABC plans to use a trio of broadcast teams that will consist of their top three college football crews. That includes the network’s No. 1 team of Chris Fowler (play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (analyst) and Holly Rowe (sideline reporter).

Fowler and Herbstreit have called the College Football Playoff National Championship on ESPN since 2014.

ESPN/ABC’s No. 2 team of Sean McDonough (play-by-play), Greg McElroy (analyst) and Molly McGrath (sideline reporter) will also call select 3:30 SEC on ABC games, as will the network’s No. 3 crew of Joe Tessitore (play-by-play), Jesse Palmer (analyst) and Katie George (sideline).

Kentucky will appear in the “SEC on ABC” window in Week 2 when South Carolina visits Lexington in the 3:30 time slot.

The Wildcats open the season at Kroger Field in prime time against Southern Miss at 7:45 p.m. ET on SEC Network. ESPN announced this week that its “SEC Saturday Night” trio of Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (analyst) and Cole Cubelic (analyst/sideline) will be on the call for Kentucky vs. Southern Miss.

Over on CBS, Nessler and Danielson aren’t going anywhere. The duo, which called SEC on CBS games from 2017-23, will stay in the 3:30 window as CBS shifts its weekly game of the week to Big Ten games.

Duke basketball game against Kentucky confirmed for late-night tip-off

Duke’s basketball game against Kentucky will be the night game at the State Farm Champions Classic after an official Thursday announcement.

Duke basketball’s non-conference battle against the Kentucky Wildcats got an official time on Thursday.

The game will tip off at 9:00 p.m. on November 12, the second game in this year’s State Farm Champions Classic.

This year’s edition of the cross-conference rivalry will fully usher in a new era for both programs. The Blue Devils have played Kentucky four times since 2012, but the storied programs haven’t battled since the 2021-22 season. That means that, for the first time in more than a decade, this rivalry won’t feature Mike Krzyzewski or John Calipari on either sideline.

Duke has won three of its last four games against the Wildcats, including a 79-71 victory in their last contest. Paolo Banchero, the most recent No. 1 NBA draft pick in school history, scored 22 points in his collegiate debut.

Kansas and Michigan State will face off in the early game at 6:30 p.m. Both games will be played at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.

ESPN makes bowl game projections for Kentucky football

ESPN analysts Mark Schlabach and Pete Bonagura see Kentucky making a lower-tier bowl games.

The 2024 college football season will be an uphill battle for the Kentucky Wildcats, who have one of the most bruising schedules in the nation.

Mark Stoops’ team will face four SEC teams ranked in the preseason Top 15 in both the AP Top 25 poll and US LBM Coaches Poll — three of which are ranked in the top six alone.

With the official start of the season three days away, ESPN analysts Mark Schlabach and Pete Bonagura unveiled their 2024 bowl game and College Football Playoff projections on Wednesday. Kentucky was projected for a lower-tier bowl with SEC ties.

Schlabach sees the Wildcats squaring off against West Virginia in the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Dec. 27 at 7 p.m. ET. For his part, Bonagura forecasts Kentucky to play in the Birmingham Bowl against James Madison (also scheduled for Dec. 27).

RELATED: CBS Sports’ Jerry Palm makes bowl projection for Kentucky

Despite a strong history between the SEC and Liberty Bowl, Kentucky has made only one appearance in the postseason event. That was after a 6-6 regular season in 2008 when the ‘Cats defeated East Carolina, 25-19, in that year’s Liberty Bowl.

Kentucky has made one appearance in the Birmingham Bowl, a 27-10 loss to Pitt following the 2010 regular season. The Wildcats have played two others times in Birmingham for bowl games. Those were in the Hall of Fame Classic in back-to-back years in 1983 and ’84 — a 20-16 loss to West Virginia in ’83, followed by a 20-19 win over Wisconsin in ’84.

Kentucky opens the season against Southern Miss at Kroger Field, Aug. 31 at 7:45 p.m. ET on SEC Network.

SEE ALSO: Where Kentucky football lands in The Athletic’s preseason ranking of all 134 FBS teams

Date set for John Calipari’s return to Lexington to face Kentucky

John Calipari will return to face the Kentucky Wildcats on February 1 with the Arkansas Razorbacks in SEC play.

The SEC basketball schedule was released on Tuesday, giving fans a first look at when and where each conference game will take place in the 2024-25 college basketball season.

Without a doubt the most exciting matchup is Arkansas at Kentucky – the return of longtime Wildcats coach John Calipari to Lexington.

The game, which will take place on February 1, not only brings Cal back to the program he coached for 15 years and brought a national championship in 2012, it also marks the return of former Kentucky players DJ Wagner, Adou Thiero, and Zvonimir Ivisic who followed Calipari to Fayetteville in the transfer portal.

Calipari also snatched three recruits who were previously committed to Kentucky: Boogie Fland, Karter Knox, and Billy Richmond, giving BBN plenty of familiar faces to cheer against.

Calipari bolted for Arkansas this offseason after previous Hogs coach Eric Musselman took the open position at USC, replacing Andy Enfield. The ‘Cats brought in BYU coach Mark Pope to replace him.

Pope is an alumni who was team captain when Kentucky won the title under Rick Pitino in 1996, and he no doubt wants to secure a win here to prove to the fanbase he’s the right man for this job despite limited NCAA Tournament success prior to his hiring.

Four Kentucky players make list of Top 150 college football player rankings for 2024

Deone Walker and Barion Brown were the two highest-ranked Kentucky players on CBS Sports’ list, which also included Jamon Dumas-Johnson and Maxwell Hairston.

CBS Sports unveiled its rankings of the Top 151 college football players heading into the 2024 season Monday.

Four Kentucky players made the list, with defensive lineman Deone Walker the highest-ranked Wildcats player at No. 40 overall. Walker was followed by receiver/return specialist Barion Brown at No. 46.

Linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson (No. 113 overall) and cornerback Maxwell Hairston made the list (No. 124), as well.

Walker enters his junior season having been named to various preseason awards watch lists, including the Bednarik Award, Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Lott IMPACT Trophy.

College football analyst Blake Brockermeyer said of Walker:

“The All-SEC defensive tackle is a presence in the middle and has tons of game experience, starting 25 of the last 26 for the Wildcats. Walker is surprisingly quick and athletic in condensed spaces and has a knack for finding the football while he’s being double teamed. His road to 7.5 sacks last season was paved by power first, counters and hand-swipes second. Opponents want nothing to do with him, I promise you that. There are some T’Vondre Sweat vibes here.”

In ESPN’s rankings last week, Walker was ranked the No. 21 overall player heading into 2024.

The second highest ranked Wildcat on CBS Sports’ list, Brown finished last season with 40 receptions for 439 yards and three touchdowns. He also returned three kicks for scores.

Brockermeyer had this to say about Brown:

“An explosive playmaker in multiple phases for the Wildcats. Brown doubles as a returner and has the ability to take it to the house any time he touches the ball, scoring three touchdowns on returns last year. Brown’s only knock is he suffered six drops last year and lost two fumbles. Has the ability to be one of the top receivers in the country but needs the ball more.”

Dumas-Johnson transferred to Kentucky from Georgia, where he was part of the Bulldogs’ 2022 national championship team that went 15-0. He played in nine games a season ago before suffering a broken forearm in Georgia’s Nov. 4 win at Missouri. Dumas-Johnson had 34 tackles (29 solo), 3.5 sacks and two passes defended in 2023.

For his part, Hairston had five interceptions last season, good for fifth in the nation and first in the SEC. He had two memorable interceptions returned for touchdown in Kentucky’s 45-28 win at Vanderbilt on Sept. 23, adding a forced fumbled and six passes defended across 13 games. Hairston was the only other ranked Wildcats player on ESPN’s list at No. 84 overall.

Kentucky opens the season in prime time on Aug. 31 at Kroger Field against Southern Miss, Kickoff is set for 7:45 p.m. ET. The game will be televised on SEC Network.