{"id":2306,"date":"2016-10-15T15:17:40","date_gmt":"2016-10-15T19:17:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordoncollegefootball.com\/?p=2306"},"modified":"2025-09-13T15:17:58","modified_gmt":"2025-09-13T19:17:58","slug":"kentucky-wildcats-midseason-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2016\/10\/15\/kentucky-wildcats-midseason-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Kentucky Wildcats Midseason Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the team on a bye this week, it’s time to take a few minutes for a Kentucky Wildcats<\/strong> mid-season review. The Cats currently stand at 3-3 on the season and 2-2 in the SEC. Both wins have come against the eastern division. The two wins against the SEC East<\/strong> mark only the ninth time since the league expanded in 1992 the Cats have won at least two games.<\/p>\n

Best Win- South Carolina<\/strong>– The Wildcats beat the Gamecocks 17-10 for a third year in a row. This marked the first time since the 1950’s the Cats have beaten an SEC team other than Vanderbilt<\/strong> three straight years. The last was Tennessee<\/strong> from 1957-59.<\/p>\n

Second Best Win- Vanderbilt-<\/strong> The Cats won 20-13 on the strength of its running game and a defensive stop late in the fourth quarter. This helped avenge what may have been Stoops’ worst loss in Nashville<\/strong> last season.<\/p>\n

Worst Loss- Southern Mississippi-<\/strong> Kentucky seemed to have everything going in its first contest leading 35-10 late in the second quarter. However the Golden Eagles<\/strong> torched the Wildcat<\/strong> defense outscoring them 34-0 the rest of the game. If the Cats miss a bowl for a sixth straight year this game will be the reason.<\/p>\n

Next worst loss- Florida-<\/strong> After nearly beating the Gators<\/strong> the last two seasons and ending a three decade losing streak, this one was no contest. The Cats were whipped in every facet of the game in a 45-7 loss.<\/p>\n

Biggest Surprise- Benny Snell<\/strong>– The true freshman running back didn’t play in the first two contests but has turned into the Cats fourth quarter closer. Snell almost singlehandedly carried the\u00a0Cats to the wins over Carolina and Vandy.<\/p>\n

Runner up- Stephen Johnson<\/strong>– When Drew Barker<\/strong> went down after the first series of the New Mexico State<\/strong> game,\u00a0fans were unsure what to expect. The junior college transfer has led the Cats to a 3-1 record since taking over. Johnson has been a little shaky throwing the ball but has more than made up for it with his running ability.<\/p>\n

Biggest Disappointment- Drew Barker’s Injury<\/strong>– This was supposed to be Barker’s year leading the Cats.\u00a0A back injury\u00a0he reportedly suffered during the summer was aggravated\u00a0 against Florida. The next week he had to come out\u00a0of the New Mexico State game after one series. Barker’s will be reevaluated on a week to week basis after the Mississippi State<\/strong> game.<\/p>\n

Runner up- The Kentucky fan base<\/strong>– The University has spent over 120 million in renovations for Commonwealth Stadium<\/strong> and a new training facility. Many fans seem to take that as a reason to complain about everything with the program. From rumors about Stoops’ personal life to being called out on his own radio show, some in the fan base are getting worse as the season goes.<\/p>\n

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It doesn't feel like UK is .500. Mark Stoops was right. If you are angry about it, you're part of the problem https:\/\/t.co\/yUzAOGRlbX<\/a><\/p>\n

— Nick Roush (@RoushKSR) October 11, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n