Stoops explains absence of three key linebackers

On3 imageby:Drew Franklin11/23/19

DrewFranklinKSR

With Kentucky's defense stopping just about everything UT Martin threw its way, you may not have noticed that three of the Cats' best linebackers were missing from action. Chris Oats and DeAndre Square did not play at all, and Kash Daniel did not return after halftime. What's up with that? Mark Stoops said afterward that Chris Oats' absence was due to a violation of team rules. Stoops would not elaborate on said violation of the rules, but did clear things up by calling it a one-game suspension and that he will have Oats back on the field for Monday's practice. DeAndre Square, on the other hand, did not dress due to a minor injury; a "stinger," Stoops called it. "He should be back," Stoops said of his sophomore linebacker. "He would have played and could have played, but we tried to get through it without him. And if he could have played, he would have... I'm glad we kept him fresh." As for Kash Daniel, there is something up with UK's senior linebacker. He started the game and made four tackles in the first half, but stayed in the locker room for the second half with what the radio broadcast called a "non-medical" issue. Stoops did not address the matter after the game, which leaves fans wondering what's going on with the fan favorite, only a week before his Senior Day.

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