Kentucky football’s discipline problem: A troubling trend of penalties and coaching misfires under Mark Stoops

The 2024 Kentucky football season has been a frustrating journey marked by a lack of discipline and poor execution. Under Mark Stoops, the Wildcats finished 4-8 overall and went 1-7 in SEC play, continuing a troubling trend of underwhelming performances. Fans are understandably concerned as glaring issues plague the program, but Mark Stoops is defiant in his ability to correct the issues we will be speaking about below.

A losing streak at Kroger Field

The Wildcats ended the season winless in SEC home games, extending their losing streak to eight consecutive home losses against Power 5 opponents. Kentucky fans have continually packed Kroger Field, only to see the other team dominate the Cats. Each time they show up, they walk away with a loss. Enough is enough. Something has to change, but what can be changed? Read about that here. To get started, take a look at where a prized Kentucky portal win was during the final game:

Penalties and mental errors

Kentucky’s lack of discipline was evident in their penalty statistics. The Wildcats averaged 7.2 penalties per game, one of the worst rates in the SEC, costing them nearly 60 yards per game. Critical penalties often derailed offensive drives or prolonged opponents' possessions, showcasing a recurring issue of poor situational awareness. They also just wanted to fight, not on the field but after the play, just like what happened against Louisville.

In the game against Georgia, multiple false starts and holding calls on the offensive line stalled drives, preventing any offensive rhythm. The Wildcats also suffered from repeated miscommunications, with several instances of players being unable to line up correctly, or leaving players running wide open on defense.

Offensive struggles under Brock Vandagriff and Bush Hamdan

Quarterback Brock Vandagriff's first year as a starter was less than underwhelming, but how much can be blamed on him? He completed just 57% of his passes for 1,593 yards, with 10 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. The offense averaged a dismal 21.9 points per game, ranking near the bottom of the SEC. Missed reads, poorly executed routes, and questionable play-calling exacerbated the team’s struggles​ behind a line that was maybe the worst in college football.

Defensive ineffectiveness

Once a strength under Stoops, Kentucky’s defense struggled mightily, particularly against the run. The Wildcats allowed over 140 rushing yards per game in, including 358 rushing yards against Louisville. Missed tackles and blown assignments were rampant, a sharp decline for a unit once known for its physicality​, Kentucky has made multiple backs look like Heisman hopeful Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, ironically enough producing better after Hamdan left.

The fan base had reached their limit

The lack of progress in key areas has left fans exasperated. Stoops has defended the program, promising a turnaround, but the consistency of these issues suggests systemic problems. With Stoops locked into a contract through 2031—complete with a hefty $44 million buyout—many wonder if the Wildcats are stuck in a cycle of mediocrity.

If Kentucky football doesn’t address these issues, the gap between them and the SEC’s elite will continue to grow. Fans deserve a program that not only competes but also avoids shooting itself in the foot week after week, they have shown that with their ability to pack Kroger Field. Unfortunately, as the 2024 season showed, discipline and awareness remain elusive as do the wins.