Kentucky's 42-10 win over Tennessee Tech was the perfect Senior Day celebration. The Cats dominated from start to finish, got a 0-turnover game from their freshman QB, and moved to 5-5 on the season, just one win away from bowl eligibility.
But in the post-game press conference, Mark Stoops’s tone shifted when he talked about the 25 seniors the program was honoring. Specifically, he focused on those who couldn't be on the field, and his comments about injured safety Jordan Lovett were heartbreaking.
“It's very important,” Stoops said of celebrating the win with the seniors' families. “Some of these guys have been with us through so many good things, bad things, everywhere in between... You look at a guy like Jordan Lovett and having to see his family out there today broke my heart because he can't finish the season out on the field.”
“He's given everything to this program. He's a remarkable young man along with so many others.”
You have to feel for this guys who came in and saw a decline from a 10 win season being vacated and not experience a bowl win. But they played hard always, even if the execution wasn't there.
One win away from Kentucky football 'getting back'
That emotion is what fueled the win. After a brutal mid-season losing streak, this victory gives Kentucky three straight wins and a chance to get back to the standard Stoops expects.
He was asked about getting this 5th win and the importance of a bowl game.
“You can't ever take that for granted. Look at our league. It's brutal,” Stoops said. “We were on a good roll. We're trying to get back to that point, but you never take things for granted. It's difficult. We're worried about right now, this week, and going one-on-one again. I know that's coach speak, but it's the truth. It's important.”
With this momentum, the Cats are now focused on securing that all-important 6th win on the road. Up first is a chance at their first ranked win of the season with Vanderbilt next Saturday in Nashville.
Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time he enjoys downtime with his family and Premier League soccer. You can find him on X here. Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion