For what started out as a dominant performance in all three phases of the game, the Kentucky Wildcats wound up losing arguably the most deflating game in quite some time to the Florida Gators.
The Wildcats were in control heading into the 4th quarter, leading 24-14. However, the Gators outscored the Cats 14-3 in the 4th quarter and were gifted the game-winning touchdown with 43 seconds remaining. Austin MacGinnis, Kentucky's place kicker, then missed the 57-yard field goal as time expired.
Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops, a former defensive backs coach, allowed two touchdowns due to uncovered receivers coming out of timeouts. The second touchdown happened to be the game-winner for the Gators.
As Kentucky was advancing into FG range and looked as if they could possibly escape the collapse, the most Kentucky-Football incident took place.
On 4th & 10, Stephen Johnson completed a 14-yard pass to Charles Walker that put Kentucky at the UF 35-yard line.
With 21 seconds left, Benny Snell managed to rush to the UF 25-yard line. However, the rush was called back due to an offensive holding penalty which resulted in a 2nd & 20 and moved Kentucky back to the UF 45.
Keep in mind the penalty stopped the clock, therefore there wasn't much logic in calling a timeout. However, Stoops decided to use the Wildcats' last TO that instant.
There were six seconds remaining. Kentucky was out of timeouts. The Cats would have been able to rush or throw inside the numbers for a larger gain, but instead had to throw to the outside and get out of bounds to stop the clock.
Johnson & Walker connected once again but only for six yards, setting MacGinnis up at the UF 39-yard line.
MacGinnis was faced with a 57-yard FG, with his career long being 54 yards. The kick was dead center, just a few yards short. It's an "if," but if Stoops saves that timeout and gets nine yards instead of six, the Cats potentially win the game.
To sum it up, take one of those negative coaching decisions away from the game and Kentucky very likely walks out of Kroger Field with a W.
It was, by far, the most deflating loss I've watched in my lifetime. Kentucky will look to bounce back next week at home against Eastern Michigan. Check back with ASeaOfBlue.com and @MonJorgan's Twitter page for more updates on next week's matchup.