Missouri/Kentucky 2023: One Decision and Play Changes A Season...

[KA4Prez]

Many have probably had the same thought as me...seeing Missouri go 11-2 and beat Ohio State in a game that would've been a College Football Playoff game in 2024 and beyond.

Rewind...despite a blowout loss to Georgia, Kentucky's season is far from over.

Kentucky is up 14-0 on Missouri. Their offense came out firing faster than it did all year. The crowd is crazy. The Cats about the get the ball back. Eli Drinkwitz then calls a crazy fake punt, to which, Missouri executes a miracle touchdown pass to cut the lead to 14-7. It changed the flow of the game. Kentucky was deflated the rest of that game and mustered only seven more points, despite NINE more offensive possessions. The Cats then lose to Tennessee in a close game, get blown out by Alabama and are completely deflated in a loss to South Carolina. Sure, they rallied to beat UL and dominated the Clemson game, despite losing it, but truthfully, THAT single play was probably the difference between 10-3 and 7-6.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

It definitely took Missouri to great heights.

I'll say maybe 9 and 3 if we win that. UK would have choked against UT no matter what IMO. They should have beat SC regardless. Who knows in the bowl game.

 

[vhcat70]

As the season unfolded, that play wasn't as much of miracle as it seemed at the time.

 

[mrschwump]

Had an influence no doubt. If you recall, a shot of the UK sideline just prior to the play showed UK coaches frantically jumping up and down and waving guys in position...in other words they were expecting some type of fake. Not sure UK even had the punt return team on the field, just the regular D. Once again, the solution was simple.....CALL A FREAKING TIMEOUT AND GET YOUR TEAM SET! Funny how reluctance to use a simple timeout bites them in the ass.

 

[howercat]

Many have probably had the same thought as me...seeing Missouri go 11-2 and beat Ohio State in a game that would've been a College Football Playoff game in 2024 and beyond.

Rewind...despite a blowout loss to Georgia, Kentucky's season is far from over.

Kentucky is up 14-0 on Missouri. Their offense came out firing faster than it did all year. The crowd is crazy. The Cats about the get the ball back. Eli Drinkwitz then calls a crazy fake punt, to which, Missouri executes a miracle touchdown pass to cut the lead to 14-7. It changed the flow of the game. Kentucky was deflated the rest of that game and mustered only seven more points, despite NINE more offensive possessions. The Cats then lose to Tennessee in a close game, get blown out by Alabama and are completely deflated in a loss to South Carolina. Sure, they rallied to beat UL and dominated the Clemson game, despite losing it, but truthfully, THAT single play was probably the difference between 10-3 and 7-6.

IT WAS OFFENSIVE PASS INTERFERENCE!!!. That no call changed the season.

 

[EdgeHD]

Many have probably had the same thought as me...seeing Missouri go 11-2 and beat Ohio State in a game that would've been a College Football Playoff game in 2024 and beyond.

Rewind...despite a blowout loss to Georgia, Kentucky's season is far from over.

Kentucky is up 14-0 on Missouri. Their offense came out firing faster than it did all year. The crowd is crazy. The Cats about the get the ball back. Eli Drinkwitz then calls a crazy fake punt, to which, Missouri executes a miracle touchdown pass to cut the lead to 14-7. It changed the flow of the game. Kentucky was deflated the rest of that game and mustered only seven more points, despite NINE more offensive possessions. The Cats then lose to Tennessee in a close game, get blown out by Alabama and are completely deflated in a loss to South Carolina. Sure, they rallied to beat UL and dominated the Clemson game, despite losing it, but truthfully, THAT single play was probably the difference between 10-3 and 7-6.

Oversimplification but some truth to it.

 

[bthaunert]

As the season unfolded, that play wasn't as much of miracle as it seemed at the time.

Mizzou had everything on their side this year. They made a 61 yard FG as time expired to beat KSU, converted 4th and 18 with 38 seconds left against Florida to move them into FG range to win the game, had the most amazing throw by a punter on a fake point against UK to turn the momentum (who knows if it effected the end result) and beat an OSU team that was depleted. Add in the MTSU game where they converted a 3rd and 21 with 3 minutes to go and then ran out the clock to win by 4.

Kudos to them for taking advantage of it all, but there was absolutely some luck to their season. Reminds me of 2018 when we beat them on an untimed down and go 10-3. You need those things to go your way to have special seasons.

 

[vhcat70]

^Drinkwitz for one.