Coming into just his second season at the University of Kentucky, Mark Stoops has proven to be a coach who is able to compete with what some consider the better teams in the NCAA. The most impressive win on Stoops resume this season was the win against the University of South Carolina. Although Kentucky was losing in the fourth quarter with only a few minutes left in the game, Stoops found a way to get his team the win. Kentucky being in what has long been known as one of the toughest conferences in the NCAA, Stoops finished the season 5 – 7 overall, three games better than last season.
Much credit goes to quarterback Patrick Towels. He was a major part in the Wildcats success this season. Many criticized his ability to be a quarterback and his ability to make big plays. Despite Towels critics, he continued to play great football and tried to put points up on the score board to keep his team in some big games.
In the final contest of the season the Wildcats looked far from the underdog during the game against University of Louisville. They lead the game in the first quarter 6 – 0. The Wildcats appeared to be a much different football team then they looked like when they played against the University of Tennessee. The game against Louisville was arguably one of their best games of the season. UK’s quarterback Patrick Towels came out and threw for 176 yards overall; which helped keep the Wildcats within point of beating Louisville. Stanley Williams, also known as Boom, rushed for 126 yards, putting up two touchdowns. The Wildcats led at three different points during the game and led 40 – 37 with just over five minutes left in the fourth quarter
UK kept the game close,but the Louisville offense was too much for the Kentucky defense. The Wildcats defense was not able to slow down the Cardinals , particularly DeVante Parker. Parker had 180 yards receiving, totaling three touch downs for the game.
Despite Kentucky’s inability to win their last game of the season they have shown a great deal of improvement this year. They have not only gained the respect of many big contenders in the SEC but also from Coach Mark Stoops and the many fans in the city of Lexington, KY.
