Some of Kentucky’s missed opportunities in Athens

Kentucky wasn’t expected to beat Georgia between the hedges, and the final 35-14 score was spot on the three-touchdown betting line set by oddsmakers. However, while the Bulldogs were clearly the better team, the Wildcats had opportunities to keep the game closer than it ultimately ended. Instead, they squandered most of them.

Here are four moments that were missed chances:

The Three-and-Out After the Interception

Jordan Lovett‘s interception in the red zone gave Kentucky life with a chance to tie the game early in the second quarter. Instead of capitalizing, the Cats went three-and-out. They punted it right back, missing a huge opportunity to score or, at the very least, flip the field in a close game. Complementary football.

No Points At The End Of The Half

Kentucky was driving at the end of the first half, but the scoring opportunity was held back in classic Stoops fashion: confusion, wasted time, and nothing to show for it. Facing a third down, the offense failed to get lined up, burned precious seconds, and had to waste a timeout.

“That was terrible clock management there by Kentucky,” Jesse Palmer said on the broadcast as Stoops called a timeout after running the game clock down from 1:24 to 49 seconds.

The Wildcats would get within scoring range, but needed the lost time to take more shots at the end zone. They ultimately settled for a short field goal attempt, which was shanked wide. Stoops admitted he mismanaged the series after the game.

Rodriguez’s Catch Taken Away

On that same drive before the half, freshman tight end Willie Rodriguez appeared to haul in a 13-yard pass down the sideline inside the 10-yard line. Palmer and the broadcast’s rules expert, Matt Austin, both believed the catch should stand, but officials ruled it incomplete after review. Kentucky would’ve had a closer look at the end zone with more seconds on the clock had the catch stood.

SEC Officials overturns this call and says NO CATCH!

Even Matt Austin the rules expert thought this was catch by Willie Rodriguez. pic.twitter.com/CPClNcn4wX

— Grant Speaks (@GrantSpeaks1) October 4, 2025

The Fumble That Got Away

On the first drive of the second half, Kentucky was moving near Georgia territory before Seth McGowan coughed it up. Initially ruled down, Georgia challenged, and the call was overturned to a Kentucky turnover. Cutter Boley was visibly frustrated that the offense didn’t snap the ball before the replay could be reviewed. Another momentum swing toward the Dawgs that could’ve been avoided.

Same Story, Different Saturday

Give credit to Georgia for being the more physical, efficient, and clearly the better team. But Kentucky’s biggest opponent continues to be itself. Stoops said it: “We’ve got to execute better.” Until that changes, the missed chances will pile up, and so will the SEC losses.