WBN Nightcap: Big Blue Karma?

Oct 6, 2012; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Patrick Towles (14) is sacked by Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive lineman Shane McCardell (96) during the game at Commonwealth Stadium. Credit: Mark Zerof-US PRESSWIRE

Well today was another disappointing loss filled with missed opportunities, silly mistakes, and bad breaks.  Kentucky lost to Mississippi State 27-14 in a very winnable game against a ranked team in a televised game in their alternate uniforms. There were signs of good things to come and some of the same mistakes we have seen for years. But more than anything what struck me was the bad luck that Kentucky has. Is there a more snake-bitten team in the country?

This is a team that was missing it’s best running back before the season even started, the next man on the depth chart soon followed. The starting quarterback is likely out for the year. An emerging talent at safety also is shelved for the year. Then today happened. The man who was supposed to be the next great QB, Towles, looked great for a drive. It was one of those moments where you feel like someone has arrived. Then he got his ankle rolled up on a sack (see the lovely image above). He was seen on crutches and the extent of his injury is unknown. Both starting safeties were knocked out of the game.

The funny thing is that both injured quarterbacks shouldn’t even have to have played. Four years ago Kentucky signed not one, but 4-star QBs to move the program forward. Ryan Mossakowski came to UK injured and never showed enough in practice to even see the field. He transferred to JUCO and, unable to secure a scholarship offer, transferred to Lamar University.  Morgan Newton took over for an injured Mike Hartline and helped the Cats to a bowl as a true freshman. He was the fans favorite player. After sitting a year behind Hartline, Newton struggled when given the chance to start. His confidence just broke and there was no fixing him. Additionally he had to undergo offseason shoulder surgery.

Not to use luck or injuries as an excuse for Kentucky’s performance, but they have to get a good bounce or a break in their favor at some point right? The defense has finally started to show some improvement, just in time for the offense to go in the tank? As if all of the other problems that face UK football aren’t enough, can’t we catch a break? Arkansas has looked like a good shot for an SEC win, but the Hogs just put a whuppin on Auburn the week before Kentucky comes to Fayetteville. Supposedly Alabama dropped by Reese Phillips’ house this week.

Sometime, somewhere, Kentucky angered the football gods. And they are vengeful gods. The current staff will likely lose their jobs at some point this year and a new crew will be brought in. Hopefully they bring some good gridiron karma with them.