Kentucky and Missouri Matchups Defined by Close Calls

Deone Walker recently said that he hates losing more than he loves winning. The pain from a loss lingers longer than the jubilation following a victory. Long-time Kentucky football fans know that feeling all too well.

There was Jared Lorenzen’s interception against Florida. The Bluegrass Miracle. The absence of Randall Cobb near the goal line against Lane Kiffin’s Vols. Lones Seiber’s blocked field goal in overtime against Tennessee.

Kentucky fans can still feel the pain from those games. Just like Missouri fan feel the pain from close losses when they see Kentucky blue.

The Wildcats have won seven of the last eight games in the series against the divisional foe. Five of those wins were one-score games. When the game is on the line, the ball bounces UK’s way every time.

Close Calls in Kentucky vs. Missouri

Missouri football fans first cried conspiracy theory in 2017. Kentucky clung to a 6-point lead in the final minute of the game. After a big gain through the air, a Missouri wide receiver raced back to the line of scrimmage to place the ball as quickly as possible. Josh Allen knocked the ball out of his hands and onto the ground, causing precious time to tick off the clock. Kentucky ultimately survived with a 40-34 win.

The last time the Tigers traveled to Kroger Field, Chris Rodriguez fumbled the go-ahead touchdown near the goal line. Eli Cox kept his head on a swivel and dove on the ball in the end zone, giving Kentucky a 35-28 win.

Last year in CoMo a rule was changed after a special teams gaffe. Late in the fourth quarter the UK longsnapper sent the ball flying high over Colin Goodfellow’s head. The punter was able to retrieve it and get a kick off before he was speared to the ground. Officials ruled it as roughing the kicker because Goodfellow remained in the tackle box. The Cats got a first down and kept the ball away long enough to secure a win.

One game stands above the rest. Missouri fans have endured painful losses, but nothing quite like the 2018 loss to Kentucky. The Tigers led 14-3 with less than five minutes to play and lost on an untimed down. Ahmad Wagner drew a pass interference in the end zone and CJ Conrad got open to secure the game-winning catch.

Missouri fans, like former Louisville radio host Jason Anderson, still believe the refs botched not one, but two pass interference calls in the final seconds of the walk-off win that setup an SEC East Championship Game the following week in Lexington. The ball has bounced the right way for the Wildcats in this series. That trend may need to continue for Kentucky to pick up another win over Missouri this Saturday.

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