Kentucky's offensive line is a finalist for the Joe Moore Award

The Big Blue Wall is still in the running for one of the biggest trophies in college football — literally. Kentucky’s offensive line is one of four finalists for the Joe Moore Award, given annually to the Most Outstanding Offensive Line Unit in college football since 2015. The other three finalists are Air Force, Michigan, and Oregon State.

The Big Blue Wall’s resume

This is the fourth consecutive season Kentucky’s offensive line has been recognized by the committee but its first time being a finalist. It comes on the heels of another banner year for Kentucky’s rushing attack. Behind the Big Blue Wall, Chris Rodriguez ran for a school-record 1,272 yards and a school-record eight 100-yard rushing games. Rodriguez’s average of 106.0 rushing yards per game ranks second in the SEC and 12th nationally. Kentucky is on pace for the first season in school history averaging at least 200 yards per game passing and rushing. It also has the highest 4+ yard rushing percentage of any team in the nation and is averaging 5.51 yards per rush attempt, fourth-best nationally.

All in all, Kentucky’s offensive line has 119 combined starts and five SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week awards this season. Senior right tackle Darian Kinnard has reeled in multiple postseason honors, including the SEC’s Jacobs Blocking Trophy, given annually to the league’s top lineman. Kinnard and super senior Luke Fortner, who moved to center this season, were named First Team All-SEC by the league’s coaches. Additionally, guard Eli Cox was a midseason All-American before an injury ended his season in early November, and tackle Dare Rosenthal was named Third-Team All-SEC by ProFootball Focus.

Mind you, all of this success comes in Eric Wolford’s first season as offensive line coach. In December 2020, he succeeded the late, great John Schlarman. What a legacy Schlarman built for his alma mater.

Panel of 200+ voters will select winner

A panel of 200+ voters will decide the winner. It’s one that includes all of the current offensive line coaches at the Division I level, along with former players, coaches, and media, among others. Past recipients of the Joe Moore Award include the offensive lines of Alabama (2015), Iowa (2016), Notre Dame (2017), Oklahoma (2018), LSU (2019), Alabama (2020 – first repeat winner). 

If the Cats win, they’ll get to take home the largest trophy in college football. The Joe Moore Award is five feet wide and four feet tall, the perfect size for Kentucky’s big uglies.