{"id":38152,"date":"2021-09-07T15:00:28","date_gmt":"2021-09-07T19:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/?p=38152"},"modified":"2021-09-06T22:56:56","modified_gmt":"2021-09-07T02:56:56","slug":"ranking-mark-stoops-best-wins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2021\/09\/07\/ranking-mark-stoops-best-wins\/","title":{"rendered":"Ranking Mark Stoops’ Best Wins"},"content":{"rendered":"

Saturday was a historic one for Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops <\/a>. As a result of the 45-10 win over Louisiana-Monroe<\/a> Stoops became only the second coach in UK football history to win 50 games. The other of was Bear Bryant <\/a> who notched 60. Of course not every win is created equal. So which are the best of the best? Let’s count them down as we begin Ranking Mark Stoops’ Best Wins.<\/p>\n

The Ten Best From 50 Wins<\/h3>\n

Three In A Row<\/h4>\n

#10- Kentucky 23- North Carolina State 21- TaxSlayer Gator Bowl- January 2, 2021<\/p>\n

Through the difficulties of COVID and an All-SEC schedule the Cats still managed to make a fifth straight bowl game. With offensive coordinators Eddie Gran<\/strong> and Darin Hinshaw<\/strong> no longer on staff Stoops turned to Vince Marrow<\/strong> to run the offense. While he threw in a few wrinkles when it came down to it the Cats did what they do best, run the football.\u00a0Led by Gator Bowl MVP\u00a0A.J. Rose<\/a>, who ran for a career-high 148 yards, Kentucky ran for 281 yards total. In addition to Rose Christopher Rodriguez<\/a> added 84 yards and two touchdowns.<\/p>\n

However in true Kentucky football fashion, the Wolfpack made things interesting with a furious fourth-quarter comeback. With the Cats clinging to a 16-14 lead Jamin Davis<\/a> picked off Bailey Hockman<\/a>. On the next play, Rodriquez went 26 yards putting the Cats up 23-14. However, Hockman led NC State down the field with Jordan Houston<\/a>\u00a0taking it the final two. With long-suffering Kentucky fans saying \u201coh no, not again\u201d as they waited for the onside kick. But the fears quickly subsided as\u00a0Allen Dailey Jr.<\/a> caught the kick and the Cats ran out the clock. The win gave Kentucky a third straight bowl win for only the second time in history.<\/p>\n

Governor’s Cup Blowout<\/h4>\n

#9- Kentucky 45- Louisville 13- November 30, 2019<\/p>\n

In their last two meetings the Wildcats have outscored the Cardinals by a 101-23 margin. As a result you could put either one of the wins on this list. However due to the historic nature of the win we\u2019re going the most recent game.<\/a><\/p>\n

In his final home game at Kentucky Lynn Bowden <\/a>saved the best for last. The Paul Hornung Award winner <\/a> rushed 22 times for 284 yards and four touchdowns as the Cats retained the Governor\u2019s Cup for a second straight year. The 284 yards are the most ever by a quarterback in Southeastern Conference history. Furthermore he was only 15 yards off the school record of 299 set by Moe Williams\u00a0<\/a>against\u00a0South Carolina<\/strong>\u00a0in 1995.<\/p>\n

One week after Kentucky set a school record with 462 yards rushing they topped that with 517 against Louisville.<\/strong> It was the third straight game going over 400 yards for the Kentucky offense, most by any FBS school in 2019. In addition the Cats broke their single season rushing record of 3,124 set back in 1974.<\/p>\n

An Improbable Win<\/h4>\n

#8- Kentucky 15- Missouri 14- October 27, 2018<\/p>\n

The Wildcats mustered little offense against the Tigers and found themselves trailing 14-3 at the half. However led by Josh Allen<\/a>, the Kentucky defense held Drew Lock<\/a> and the powerful Missouri<\/strong> offense to eight straight three and outs in the second half.<\/p>\n

With five minutes to go in the game Lynn Bowden<\/strong> took a punt 67 yards to the house. However the Cats missed the try for two leaving the margin at five. Another punt backed Kentucky up to their own 19 yard line. Quarterback Terry Wilson<\/a> calmly led the Cats down the field to the 10 yard line.<\/p>\n

On the game\u2019s final play Wilson\u2019s pass to Ahmad Wagner<\/a> fell incomplete. However Missouri was whistled for pass interference giving the Cats one more play. Wilson hit C.J. Conrad<\/a> for the score on the extra play giving Kentucky an improbable win. That win led to quite the celebration in the locker room.<\/p>\n

\n

Taking off from Columbia like… \ud83d\ude3c pic.twitter.com\/WZd1OERRnM<\/a><\/p>\n

— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) October 28, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n