... And the celebration begins!

by Truzenzuzex on Jan 2, 2009 8:54 PM EST in Football Comment 55 comments

First off, a big acknowledgment for the excellent play of the East Carolina Pirates. They were all the team we could have handled, and we barely were up to the challenge. It was nip and tuck all the way, and the Pirates never gave up. Some very interesting circumstances made this one a game I will never forget. But the Pirates have no need to hang their heads -- they easily could have won this game, and arguably played better football overall.

But all that aside, this is truly a great victory for Kentucky, and it turned out to be one of the most exciting and ... well, wild games I have ever witnessed. Nobody who saw this game could have been anything but excited, and both teams played very hard. There were some huge hits in this game by both teams. It was a great college football game.

Regarding the return for touchdown by ~~Jarmon~~ Jenkins, I don't think you can be deemed to have possession while the ball is in contact with the ground, as it was when his knee was down. Not sure about that, so you armchair officials might need to correct me on that perception, but I believe that was why ~~Jarmon~~ Jenkins wasn't considered down on the fumble recovery. The Micah Johnson touchdown, in my view, was incorrectly called back. There was no way that the officials could conclusively determine whether the ball was still in Pinkney's hand when his knee hit the ground. Either way, it is over now.

In the end, I have to give Hartline a lot of credit. Despite having his usual problem throwing balls too high, he got that under control in the second half and made some great throws, really clutch. The one exception was that unacceptable throw into triple coverage on the ill-advised fleaflicker, especially when he had a man wide open over the middle.

Tony Dixon was just relentless, and he totally deserved his player of the game recognition. I thought he had poor vision in the first half and could have done more had he simply kept his head up, but in the second half he did a much better job. The punters for both teams were excellent, but East Carolina's punter was truly incredible, hitting some of the longest punts I have seen in many years in a college game.

For Rich Brooks, you can only praise the adjustments that the team made after the half. Of course, the remarkable David Jones touchdown return of the second-half kickoff had a lot to do with making Brooks look good, and completely reversed the momentum from the first half, which was clearly with the Pirates. I thought our defensive secondary was simply great in the second half, and Micah Johnson was a force of nature, flying around the field like a Tasmanian Devil.

I have to admit, I am much happier for this team than I was for the team last year. That team had no excuse to lose, and they didn't. This one had every excuse to give up and lose, and they refused to do so. That means a lot to me, and I hope to all of you.

Congratulations, Wildcats. Nobly won, and well earned!

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Micah Johnson

appeared to be hurt most of the game as well

Steelers fan 1st! UK is my 2nd love.

by vinceuk1 on Jan 2, 2009 9:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Nice write up

i too am proud of this team. With EVERYTHING that has happened through out the season, who wouldve thunk it!! Nice job guys! Go CATS!

" I believe in pipedreams"

by Magnoliacat on Jan 2, 2009 9:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

With my oldest daughter on the ECU Dance team, this was a wild game in my house.

‘Bout had to throw the wife out, as she was rooting for the Pirates. (She’s a Virginia girl — Longwood grad — with no connection to Kentucky except the crazy husband she picked up in college.)

What about Tim Masthay for Player of the game? Special teams kept us in the game, if you ignore the missed PATs.

BTW, the ball CAN be in the control of a player AND be in contact with the ground and still be in play, but I think the call was correct, as Jenkins had just barely laid his hand on the ball when his knee was on the ground. A freeze frame of the video doesn’t show how tentative his purchase on the ball was at that moment.

I don’t quibble with the earlier call on Pinkney, but the refs were certainly letting the Pirate receivers start their kick-off returns with one knee down. Bad coaching to let that sloppy stuff go on so much and not catch it in practice.

by Ken Pomeroy on Jan 2, 2009 9:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

And we played half the game with subs in the defensive backfield.

On the other hand, I can’t help but be impressed overall with what Skip Holtz has done in Greenville with the Pirates.

by Ken Pomeroy on Jan 2, 2009 9:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

No doubt.

No doubt at all.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Jan 2, 2009 11:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I am so hyped with this win

I will never be able to sleep and thinking about the game Sunday!

by kykat51 on Jan 2, 2009 9:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

What a great game

This is the kind of game that makes me proud to be a ’cats fan. After the first half it would have been easy to pack up and make the game long and painful.However, the defense showed great tenacitiy in the second half, made great adjustments, and they were pretty effective shutting down the ECU offense in the second half, which was an absolute must for this victory. Mike Hartline really showed that he could do the things he needed to do for this team to be effective, and we came out victors, despite injury set backs and some very poor officiating, IMO. Now if we can just get a victory on Sunday, all will be right ini the world, at least for this weekend.

by uk52 on Jan 2, 2009 9:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Micah Johnson is my defensive player of the game...

His solo tackles on those two third and short plays to force punts were huge. He was all over the place. I’m so excited about this win. This is a huge step in the right direction for our program.

by Iam4UKinMI on Jan 2, 2009 9:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

TD Calls

The Micah Johnson TD should not have been called back. Not 100% certain video proof the QB was down.

But the 2nd TD should have been ruled down at spot of fumble recovery. He had possession while his knee was touching the ground.

Either way, UK deserved a TD on one of those 2 plays.

by FortyYearCatFan on Jan 2, 2009 9:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Agree

Not sure the official definition of possession on a fumble re: the Jenkins TD. It looked like he pinned the ball on the turf and then scooped it up once his knee was up. Not sure when possession was officially established.

Regardless, the officials did not have conclusive, indisputable evidence to overturn the Micah Johnson TD.

All’s well that ends well, however.

Two months (!). Two weeks. Two pencils.

by Thomas Hunt Morgan on Jan 2, 2009 9:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Jenkins had not established "control" over the football until after the knee came up.

That was the correct call. The only time the knee was on the ground was while he was trying to pick it up. Merely having a hand on the ball trying to pick it up is not control, and therefore not possession.

I’m glad in retrospect that the first call was reversed, as from the shots I saw, it was pretty clear that the ball was not fumbled until just after Pinkney’s knee was on the ground (maybe something short of “irrefutable evidence,” though, so there is an argument that it should not have been reversed). I was impressed with the job the Big 10 officiating crew did in those moments.

It always amazes me how there can be such a wide range of opinions about what a video shows, when everyone is looking at the same thing.

by Ken Pomeroy on Jan 2, 2009 9:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He Had His Hand In Possession Of The Ball With His Knee Touching The Ground

On the second one.

There wasn’t enough video evidence to overturn the first one.

by FortyYearCatFan on Jan 2, 2009 10:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't believe possesion can be determined

The ball was on the ground and with one hand simply touching the football it seems pretty difficult to me to determine whether or not he was grasping (possessing) the ball or not. Personally, I don’t believe possession occured until the ball was picked up. I guess the refs agree. In any case, I do agree with your second point. There simply wasn’t a view with enough evidence to overturn the play on the field. Either way we score, miss the damn kick, but still walk away with the win. Now let’s prepare ourselves for Sunday folks. Go UK!!!!!

by bigbluestu on Jan 2, 2009 11:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The TV Talking Head Described The Rule

Regardless UK deserved 1 TD so it doesn’t really matter which 1 counted.

by FortyYearCatFan on Jan 3, 2009 12:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Bob Davie, I believe, was giving his interpretation of the rule.

by Ken Howlett on Jan 3, 2009 12:33 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It depend on if "control"....

happens instantaneously or not.

by hoboat33 on Jan 3, 2009 2:24 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

'Bama is storming back!

now a 21-10 game

Steelers fan 1st! UK is my 2nd love.

by vinceuk1 on Jan 2, 2009 9:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Javier Arenas with a big TD

Bama really needed that.

by OGETARTS on Jan 2, 2009 9:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think so too 40

Maybe the refs thought the first should have stood so they overlooked the 2nd. Said they were Big 10 refs, but I am just thankful for the win.

by kykat51 on Jan 2, 2009 9:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Great win

I’ll admit that my previous comments bowl day were unduly harsh on Mike Hartline. He played well enough to win and that is saying something considering the paucity of talent at the skilled position. Outside of the poor decision on the INT on the flea-flicker, I was wrong Mike, well played.

The offensive line gets my game ball for the day. Earlier in the year Rich Brooks said he expected big things out of his OL and I felt they finally delivered. Kudos to a beleaguered OL.

Despite the discussion of injuries earlier in the game, the “flood” of injuries continued with Lindely. Overall, the secondary played well

Just think: all that excuse making and hyperbole earlier in the day was for naught— CATS WIN!

What’s that 14 non-conference wins in a row? SEC 5-1 in bowls.

Two months (!). Two weeks. Two pencils.

by Thomas Hunt Morgan on Jan 2, 2009 9:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

SEC has shown us proud!

by kykat51 on Jan 2, 2009 9:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

By the way

Brooks joins Mark Richt of Georgia and Les Miles of LSU as the only SEC coaches to win three straight SEC games. I don’t care what bowls you play in, that is substantial.

Two months (!). Two weeks. Two pencils.

by Thomas Hunt Morgan on Jan 2, 2009 9:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Do you mean win 3 straight bowl games?

"That's not a Sherman tank, it's Frank Thomas!" - Monkeyball

by JLeverenz on Jan 2, 2009 10:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Indeed.

My exuberance got the better of me.

Two months (!). Two weeks. Two pencils.

by Thomas Hunt Morgan on Jan 3, 2009 1:59 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Refs...

missed more than that….i.e. knee down on “another” kick off at the 2

" I believe in pipedreams"

by Magnoliacat on Jan 2, 2009 9:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Like balking in baseball and palming in basketball, that is commonly ignored.

Bad coaching and sloppy officiating.

by Ken Pomeroy on Jan 2, 2009 9:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

With a "W" over Loserville to start the season,

and our 3rd straight bowl victory makes this a good year. Now, we need ‘Bama and the gators to win out, to continue the SEC’s dominance. Hartline and Michael Porter have a lot in common, and both have made me proud lately. Now to make this an even better start to a “Great” Year, we need to “D” it up on Sunday as well. Go CATS!

gobigbluecatsfan72

by gobigbluecatsfan72 on Jan 2, 2009 9:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I missed the first

Heard about it when the 2nd one happened.

by kykat51 on Jan 2, 2009 9:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Imagine this kykat, it was the same ref that missed that call too! Big 10 for ya!

gobigbluecatsfan72

by gobigbluecatsfan72 on Jan 2, 2009 9:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Different players, though, which shows how rampant the problem was.

by Ken Pomeroy on Jan 2, 2009 9:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Good to see Phil Fulmer on ESPN today. We need more

SEC “backers” on there. Go CATS!

gobigbluecatsfan72

by gobigbluecatsfan72 on Jan 2, 2009 9:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Third Straight Bowl Win!!!!!!

That is absolutely huge for our program.

by OGETARTS on Jan 2, 2009 9:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

To the list of problems our program went through this year,

…should we not be hearing about how we lost our starting QB before the season even started?

Injuries tell only part of the story about our stymied offense.

Who thinks we’ll start a Freshman next year?

by Ken Pomeroy on Jan 2, 2009 9:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Freshman

I think if Hartline doesnt improve, we very well could see that after a couple of games.

" I believe in pipedreams"

by Magnoliacat on Jan 2, 2009 10:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It was good to see McCaskill and Lanxter show up today...

This will help tremendously next year if they can continue to improve, as well as Aaron Boyd. Can’t think of his name off the top of my head, but the 6’5" 5 star juco WR coming in will also help as well. Throw Randall Cobb in there as well, and our passing game (not exactly the “Air Raid”), looks much better.

gobigbluecatsfan72

by gobigbluecatsfan72 on Jan 2, 2009 10:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Jenkins not Jarmon

It was Jenkins not Jarmon… What an awesome stiff arm…

ShagOnSports

by ShagOnSports on Jan 2, 2009 10:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

No kidding

Anytime you see a mouth piece fly, you know it’s a solid hit.

by bigbluestu on Jan 2, 2009 11:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Liberty Bowl Attendance: 56,125

nfm

by OGETARTS on Jan 2, 2009 10:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Looked like we outnumbered them about 60/40

by hoboat33 on Jan 3, 2009 2:19 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Love this quote from Mitch:

“We have the greatest fans in the world,” UK athletics director Mitch Barnhart said. “I appreciate the sacrifices so many people made in these economic times to be here. A lot was made about what our crowd would be like, but I knew the fans would come — and they did. They never quit on this team, either, and I think that made a difference.”

by OGETARTS on Jan 3, 2009 10:26 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Alabama just scored again

They are down 21-17 now.

by OGETARTS on Jan 2, 2009 10:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

And Utah

… just scored. They are up 28-17.

by OGETARTS on Jan 2, 2009 10:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

My Father-In-Law Was a Ute In The 40's

My wife attended Utah in 1970. Most of the family are Ute fans.

So I’m happy for Utah to W that game.

by FortyYearCatFan on Jan 3, 2009 12:12 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Couldn't be prouder...

of the football team playing with such heart and their “never give up attitude”

of Coach Brooks and the coaching staff for preparing this team and making the necessary adjustments to make us competitive

of the SEC for being so dominant in the Bowl games

of being a UK Football fan

by bevcat on Jan 2, 2009 10:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

A great time

to be a Cat fan….the future looks awesome for basketball, football and baseball at UK !

Go Cats !

by String Music on Jan 2, 2009 10:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Exciting game

Though I’m not generally as interested in football as I am in basketball, I’m always happy to see UK do well and that was a fun game to watch. Given all the injuries to the team over the course of the season and the talent that left after last season, to go 7-6 is just remarkable. This is the kind of season that would have gone 3-9 or 4-8 in the past.

"That's not a Sherman tank, it's Frank Thomas!" - Monkeyball

by JLeverenz on Jan 2, 2009 10:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Great day!

The 2 SEC teams I wanted to win won, and the one I wanted to lose lost. Although you Wildcats left it a little later than I like. You didn’t have to spot them that lead, but, hey, better late than never!

God, that was a beautiful stiff arm. The mouthpiece flying was a nice touch. Put Jenkins in the Wildcat formation and see what he can do.

by wvvol on Jan 2, 2009 11:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

That stiff arm ...

… will live in my memory forever. How many DL’s ever get to do that? Even fewer than ever do it that well.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Jan 3, 2009 12:04 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Just got in from the game...

I haven’t seen the Cats in person this year and that was a helluva game to see. It was great seeing a game in a crowd of blue. Next year I may have to sneak away to Lexington and steal some tickets. Hopefully, next year I won’t be screaming when looking at downfield recievers running wild while we’re throwing to the flats.
Game Observations:
*Skip’s coaching staff had some bizarre series play calls; especially the three same fade routes to the endzone.
*I heard the refs came from the pac10 – whereever they came from, send them back to school. They almost ruined the game with missed/bad calls.
*I hope Coach Brooks stays a while longer. I guess I’ll occasionally scratch my head at ANY coach’s playcall. You can’t replace Brooks’s passion for the game and that is contagious to a team.
*ECU fans traveled well. Good tailgate area and more fans than I expected. All seemed good fans – even after the game. Except for one guy – started screaming “How can you be proud about 7-6?” I asked him what ECU’s record would be in the SEC and he just got real quiet then made a face like he had just seen his grandmoter naked.
*"SEC SEC SEC" chant at the end of the game (and out of the stadium) was incredible.
*The drive home was excellent – didn’t even get a ticket when stopped for speeding!

by hoboat33 on Jan 3, 2009 3:03 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Great report!

Thanks for that. It looked to me like attendance was pretty good for both teams. I really wanted to go, but I just couldn’t get away.

FYI, the officials were from the Big Ten, not the Pac-10. I think we all agreed that they could have been a lot better. I agree that Holtz’ play calls at the end of the second quarter were strange — a field goal might have put the cats so far out of the game mentally, they never got back, but they went for the touchdown three straight times with the same deep flag route. Weird. I remember questioning that in the open thread.

What was the deal with all the ugliness just before the game? I don’t think we ever heard what that was all about.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Jan 3, 2009 9:05 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs