KSR Today: A one-point loss to the nation’s number one team

Good morning, folks! Where are we on moral victories after Saturday night’s loss?

On the one hand, Kentucky showed more than enough reasons to believe they can still produce an acceptable and successful season. Holding the nation’s No. 1 team to only 13 points and just one touchdown (which didn’t happen until the fourth quarter) is a massive achievement for Brad White ‘s unit. Georgia had just 65 total yards in the first half. The offense wasn’t spectacular, but Brock Vandagriff made clear progress, even if we’d all love to see a few more completed passes downfield. Demie Sumo-Karngbaye is simply a good running back — no denying it anymore. He had career-highs in carries (22) and yards (98) against the Bulldogs. Kentucky also discovered (if they didn’t already know) that they have an NFL kicker in Alex Raynor . The Georgia Southern transfer scored all 12 of UK’s points, including a pair of 50+ yarders. His 55-yard make set a school record. That’s an important weapon to have.

But on the other hand… Kentucky’s conversation approach cost them a chance to win this game. It wasn’t the only reason, but it’s the one we’ll spend the next six days talking about. Granted, conservativism is what allowed the Wildcats to stay close from start to finish (and even lead for most of this game), but just being in games isn’t nearly as exciting as actually winning them. Mark Stoops ‘ call to punt the ball with roughly three minutes left in the game at midfield is one I still do not agree with the morning after. That’s where being conservative doesn’t make as much sense to me, although I know some will disagree. You have to strike when the opportunity arrives, and Kentucky had one on a 4th and 8 that could have kept alive what ended up being its final drive.

All this being said, I still woke up this morning far more confident about Kentucky than I did on Saturday morning. This defense is very good. They responded exactly as they needed following last weekend’s debacle against South Carolina. Will that same team show up against Ohio next Saturday? We’ve seen three very different results on the field through three games — it’s time to establish some consistency.

As always, the KSR team was hard at work last night providing plenty of postgame coverage. Before we dive into the rest of this morning’s new and notes, check out anything you missed through the links/videos below.

• Improbable Upset Eludes Kentucky in 13-12 Loss to No. 1 Georgia
• The internet has a lot of thoughts about Mark Stoops’ decision to punt
• Stats that stood out from Kentucky’s 13-12 loss to No. 1 Georgia
• Kentucky shows off culture in total slobber knocker against No. 1 Georgia
• A disappointing result but an encouraging fight by Kentucky against Georgia
• Kentucky Discovered its Resolve against Georgia: “Today is only a stepping stone for tomorrow”
• Kentucky Coaches Defend Decisions for End of Half, Final Drive Play-Calling
• Mark Stoops talks decision to punt on crucial 4th and 8 in fourth quarter

KSR Rapid Reaction

Mark Stoops postgame press conference

Tim Couch honored by Hall of Fame

Kentucky and The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame jointly honored legendary quarterback Tim Couch in between the first and second quarter of the Georgia game. Couch, who will finally enter the College Football Hall of Fame this winter after a long wait, is just the sixth former Wildcat named to the Hall of Fame.

Couch was presented with a Hall of Fame plaque that will be put on permanent display at UK. There were also rally towels handed out at Kroger Field cut into the shape of Couch’s No. 2 Kentucky jersey. You can see the moment he was recognized in front of the Big Blue Nation in the video below.

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Acaden Lewis cuts list to 4

Mark Pope continues to cook on the recruiting trail. Now with a pair of Top 25 prospects committed in the class of 2025, he could be on the verge of landing a third high-level player. Four-star point guard Acaden Lewis announced on Saturday that he’s down to just four schools — and they’re all Blue Bloods.

Lewis has cut his list to Kentucky, UConn, North Carolina, and Duke. The 6-foot-2 product of Washington DC is No. 34 overall by the On3 Industry Ranking. Pope and his entire staff went to see Lewis, who has publicly embraced the idea of playing alongside Jasper Johnson , last week.

“Their staff is doing an amazing job recruiting,” Lewis told On3’s Joe Tipton . “They’ve been super active being in film sessions with me. I like the thought of playing with Jasper Johnson to be honest. Two lefties is pretty lethal. So that’s pretty cool.”

Kentucky guard Koby Brea was also down to a final four of UK, UConn, UNC, and Duke earlier in the offseason as a transfer portal prospect. Will Lewis make the same call and choose the Wildcats?

NFL Week 2 Sunday schedule

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Volleyball drops another Top 10 match

No. 10 Kentucky volleyball is 6-0 this season against unranked opponents. Craig Skinner’s squad has only dropped one set in those six wins, dominating inferior opponents as they’re expected to. But after Saturday, the Wildcats are now 0-3 against Top 10 foes. Kentucky lost to No. 7 Purdue in Dallas yesterday, winning the first set before losing the next three in a 3-1 (21-25, 25-13, 25-23, 25-16) defeat.

The Wildcats always tend to start these high-profile matches well, but just haven’t been able to finish down the stretch so far this season. They’ll have another chance to finally pull off a Top 10 win though when No. 5 Louisville comes to town on Wednesday night inside Historic Memorial Coliseum on ESPN.

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