Mark Stoops on the missed facemask call, unsportsmanlike conduct penalty
There are a LOT of moments from tonight’s loss to point the finger at, but the one that’s drawing the ire of the BBN the most right now is the missed facemask call on Kentucky’s final drive. On 3rd and 6 with 1:22 to go, Tennessee’s Tyler Baron sacked Will Levis, yanking his facemask in the process.
The officials did not throw a flag, which — understandably — sent Mark Stoops into a frenzy on the sidelines. Stoops drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, turning 4th and 9 into 4th and 24. Unbelievably, Kentucky converted that fourth down — a gorgeous 28-yard pass from Will Levis to Izayah Cummings — but the anger over the missed call and double down by the referees still smolders.
In his press conference, Mark Stoops elected to take the high road. Instead of criticizing the refs — which would incur a fine — he scolded himself for drawing the unsportsmanlike penalty.
“Number one, I don’t want to say anything about the missed call or any call, whether it was called missed call or not. But for myself, that’s still no excuse. I can’t do that. I can’t put that on our team in that situation. Thank God they bailed me out. Because we wouldn’t even have run that play had we not been in that situation. That was only for desperation, you know, that type of play.
“So, we got that back and got back to first down and had an opportunity from there. So, I appreciate the team bailing me out on that but I can’t do that. And as far as call or not call, things are gonna happen. We have to overcome it and deal with it and I’m not gonna sit here and give any headlines.”
Kentucky still deserves an answer from the SEC. I won’t hold my breath.
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