Mark Stoops defends analytics but admits regret over not kicking the field goal

Following Kentucky‘s loss to Ole Miss, the criticism isn’t limited to the Wildcats’ struggling offense. Mark Stoops’ in-game decision-making is also under fire. Many fans question the head coach for a pair of fourth-down calls in the second half that swung momentum and, ultimately, kept Kentucky from narrowing the gap on the scoreboard.

The first came with Kentucky trailing 27-20 early in the fourth quarter. Facing 4th-and-9 at the 20, Stoops elected to keep the offense on the field rather than kick a makeable field goal that would’ve trimmed the lead to four, setting up the potential for a game-winning drive later. The Wildcats failed to convert on the gamble, leaving three points behind and momentum with the Rebels.

That decision came back into play on Kentucky’s next series. Still down seven after the defense forced a three-and-out, Kentucky found itself in another must-convert situation on fourth down with four minutes left. This time, the Cats had no choice but to go for it. The failure to come away with points earlier forced Kentucky into desperation mode, and Ole Miss again held strong with a stop, sacking Cutter Boley. What could’ve been a 27-26 score with hope still alive, was still 27-20.

“In hindsight, I do wish I had kicked it.”

After the game, Stoops was asked about those fourth-down decisions that left points off the board late in the game. He told Tom Leach on the Wildcat Wrap Up, “Analytics tells me to go for it, number one. But, in hindsight, I think the first one is the only one that, you know, you got to think about. In hindsight, I do wish I had kicked it.”

Stoops reminded the radio audience that Kentucky’s defense forced a three-and-out after the turnover on downs.

“We got right back in scoring position, and again, you know, everybody says, you know, the book, the book, the book. Well, I’ve told you many times that I’m gonna go with my gut and what I think’s right, and everything else, but I do study. I do look at it, and I’m following it, and it does tell me to go for it.”

End of the half chaos

Fans were also upset with Stoops earlier in the game, when Kentucky grossly mismanaged the end of the first half. Down 17-13, Kentucky was in field goal range with 13 seconds left in the half, but Stoops elected to run one more play rather than send in kicker Jacob Kauwe, who had already made two field goals. The play was a disaster before it began, leading ABC announcer Sean McDonough to say, “My goodness,” as Kentucky scrambled to get set pre-snap. After the snap, which was nearly a delay of game penalty, an ineligible receiver penalty knocked Kentucky out of field goal range, then a holding penalty pushed the offense even further back to the other side of the 50. ABC’s cameras panned to several upset Kentucky fans, who were unaware that more frustrations were ahead.

Hear from Mark Stoops in his postgame press conference.