Mark Stoops addresses Jager Burton penalties: 'No need whatsoever'

Kentucky coach Mark Stoops is making no excuses for offensive lineman Jager Burton after his multiple penalties on Saturday against Georgia. Burton was flagged for both a holding call and an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, the latter of which occurred after he appeared to purposely fall on top of a Georgia defender.

Appearing at his Monday press conference, Stoops addressed both penalties. The coach had a talk with Burton immediately during the game to let him know that type of behavior is not what the Wildcats want to represent.

“The message was right during the game that it was completely unacceptable,” Stoops said. “There was zero excuses for both of ’em. On the first one, the hold, he had him blocked. The player logged himself. He was going to come under the guard. Jager had him logged.

“There was no need whatsoever to try to sling him to the ground. None. He had him blocked.”

On the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, Burton had already pushed a Bulldogs defensive lineman to the ground. Instead of moving on, he decided to fall on the opposing player and potentially with some intent. Burton landed right on the back of the Georgia defender and thankfully missed the head.

The play resulted in a 15-yard penalty that gave Georgia a first down, and the Bulldogs went on to score a touchdown on the drive to increase their lead. It was ultimately one of five penalties on the Wildcats in the game, two committed by Burton, that resulted in a gain of 60 yards for the opponent.

Burton is not the only person to have these kinds of penalties. Defensive lineman Deone Walker committed a personal foul after a play too, hitting a Georgia player. The Wildcats were running back what they thought was a potential fumble recovery, but officials had already called the play dead.

Burton is a starter at right guard for Kentucky, so he is a valuable piece to the team. He made the switch to the right side this season after starting all 13 games from last year at left guard and earning Freshman All-SEC honors.

Still, he clearly cost his team Saturday and will have to keep a more level head going forward. The Wildcats dropped their first game of the season, getting blown out 51-13.

Kentucky will aim to bounce back from that embarrassing showing when it takes on Missouri at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday in Lexington.