It all seemed to turn after Dorian Baker's vicious blindside block

[KWilt43atbuzz]

V LSU.
That was a clean block and I think Stoops suspended him for a gm after that.
Im sorry but football aint tennis.
The team seemed to grow softer and softer after that Stoops decision.

 

[TBCat]

In all fairness I think the league forced his hand. You don't hit a protected team like that. LSU speared Boom in the same game and got nothing.

 

[cathouse_rivals216755]

I totally agree. How was this block any different than the block by Dickie Lyons Jr. that everyone applauded as a great play? Stoops blew it on that one. Pretty sure Mitch was involved in the decision to suspend.

 

[ok-cats-computer]

I remember it as being Stoops's decision, because he caught some heat for it on this board. Maybe the conference pressured him into the suspension?

 

[gojvc]

It all turned when Josh Forrest threw the damn ball in the stands for a 15 yard penalty after returning the interception that put us up 21-3 against Louisville. I said we'd give them the ball at midfield and they'd be in the end zone in 2 or 3 plays and that's pretty much what happened.

 

[PhattyJ4UK_rivals309166]

That was the biggest POS decision I've ever seen a head coach make.

Baker should have been praised, maybe instructed to try and not launch, but he gave max effort getting in position to help his QB.

If we had a real football AD, stoops should have sat with him.

Pathetic

 

[Jimmy94]

V LSU.
That was a clean block and I think Stoops suspended him for a gm after that.
Im sorry but football aint tennis.
The team seemed to grow softer and softer after that Stoops decision.

That's just football.....

 

[Gene1864]

The games changed so much over the years...it's pathetic. Gone are the days when a coach would show something like this to the entire team and tell them this is what football is all about.

 

[Longtrip]

Bear Bryant would have patted Baker on the back. This has the smell of Mormon Mitch. In any event Stoops blew this one - IMHO.

 

[BlueRunner11]

It would be like Cal suspending Anthony Davis for the time he supposedly "hung on the rim."

You gotta have your players backs. Period.

 

[maverick1rw]

It all turned when Josh Forrest threw the damn ball in the stands for a 15 yard penalty after returning the interception that put us up 21-3 against Louisville. I said we'd give them the ball at midfield and they'd be in the end zone in 2 or 3 plays and that's pretty much what happened.

Ya it was all Josh fault. That's a good one. What ed would like that post imp:

 

[Gene1864]

Ya it was all Josh fault. That's a good one. What ed would like that post imp:

You're just mean dude...

 

[RACdad]

From what I understand, Mitch forced Stoops to suspend him. I dunno

 

[ulismyman]

I havent seen Baker do much to be praised for unless you like badvattitude and dropped passes

 

[gojvc]

Ya it was all Josh fault. That's a good one. What ed would like that post imp:

I hope by the time you get out of fourth grade you learn to write. I didn't say or even imply it was all Josh's fault. I offered that as an alternative turning point to the OP's. And since we were outscored 35-3 after that it's definitely an arguable point.

 

[Chadrock]

In all fairness I think the league forced his hand. You don't hit a protected team like that. LSU speared Boom in the same game and got nothing.

What's fair about this statement? UK gets a suspension and an obvious helmet to helmet is not flagged and no Les waving the white flag...

 

[UKWinsAgainYep]

V LSU.
That was a clean block and I think Stoops suspended him for a gm after that.
Im sorry but football aint tennis.
The team seemed to grow softer and softer after that Stoops decision.

Agreed, Coach Brooks would have contested that call big time....I remember Coach Brooks used to scream at referees for that crap.

I agree, I had serious doubts after that bad omen. It was a very very bad sign.

 

[Chadrock]

From what I understand, Mitch forced Stoops to suspend him. I dunno

You understand the AD forced the SEC football coach to suspend him or you dunno?

 

[WeepNoMore]

IMHO, one of the worst calls, and I've seen many bad calls over the years, I have ever seen.

Even worse was the suspension by Stoops, Barnhart or whomever.

Baker was never the same player after the suspension.

 

[WildcatofNati]

IMHO, one of the worst calls, and I've seen many bad calls over the years, I have ever seen.

Even worse was the suspension by Stoops, Barnhart or whomever.

Baker was never the same player after the suspension.

I'm not sure. The team that year collapsed after that, yet, last year, we looked good for four games, and again collapsed. I honestly don't know.

 

[HelldoggUK]

OP nailed it...Bakers mentality on that play is what UK has been lacking for just about the entire history of our program. Not to mention he was a freshman and was taking up for himself by himself. Can't have choir boys playing football.

 

[Beatle Bum]

This thread reminds me of the prison philosopher skit on Living Color. Hilarious.

 

[Beatle Bum]

 

[seccats04]

I mentioned this to a friend the other night that this is when it all went downhill. Do you think Saban or Hugh Freeze would've suspended their player for a clean hit that the league would not suspend them for? Heck they won't suspend their players for having weed and guns.

 

[Pulaski Cat Fan_rivals377587]

If I laid a block like that and my coach rewarded me with a suspension, I'd transfer. I would no longer want to play for him.

 

[seccats04]

If I laid a block like that and my coach rewarded me with a suspension, I'd transfer. I would no longer want to play for him.

I really think Stoops lost the respect of his players with this decision.

 

[Johnfarrel]

It all turned when Josh Forrest threw the damn ball in the stands for a 15 yard penalty after returning the interception that put us up 21-3 against Louisville. I said we'd give them the ball at midfield and they'd be in the end zone in 2 or 3 plays and that's pretty much what happened.[/QUOT

I agree. That dumb act cost kentucky 7 points off their lead and switched momentum away from the Cats.

 

[Lost In FL]

IMO, the suspension was for talking trash like more than the hit. If Baker hadn't of talked so much after that, I think nothing would've happened. Esp was really foolish when we were down 80-0 or whatever.

To the op, I don't know if it would be better titled, it all turned after baker's trash talking after a vicious, but legal hit.

Idk ... def agree the coach should have the players back though.

Edit: after looking again at the hit, it was clean as could be. That's why I think it had to be the trash talking when we were getting destroyed. Jmo.

 

[stuway]

If he indeed was suspended for the block alone, mitch and mark both need to go immediately

 

[Gene1864]

I blindsided a kid like that when I played peewee...knocked him clean out of his shoes. He started crying...I put my hand out to help him up and just as he was ready to grab it, I pulled away and said "there's no crying in football you little sissie". My coach was really proud of me...took me for ice cream while he was huffing on a doobie the size of a Cuban cigar. I was really good...probably could have played for most colleges and would have probably made it to the pros, but my parents became ill and I had to work two jobs in high school to support their alcoholism. Oh, how I miss those days.

 

[dcspurlock]

The really strange part about the suspension was that it came after the league ruled it was a clean hit on a clean play and didn't punish Baker. The next day is when Stoops announced Baker would sit. And he didn't say anything about it being for trash talking. He specifically stated he was being suspended for a "cheap shot" and he doesn't teach his players that and it wouldn't be tolerated in his program. IMO it was the point the team got soft.

 

[CB3UK]

That was a clean hit and frankly deserving of a game ball for showing some balls when no one else was.