Mark Stoops explains decision to punt in 4th quarter vs. Georgia

Mark Stoops and the Kentucky Wildcats drew the ire of fans watching Saturday night’s game against No. 1 Georgia with a curious decision in the fourth quarter.

Facing a 4th and 8 (and then a 4th and 13 after a penalty) inside Georgia territory with time winding down, Stoops sent out the Kentucky punt team. The decision to punt was harshly criticized on social media after Georgia killed the clock and held on for a narrow 13-12 win in Lexington.

However, after the game, Stoops defended the punt, saying it gave the Wildcats the best chance to win:

Mark Stoops defends his decision to punt the ball with 3 minutes to play. pic.twitter.com/ARjrbS9f3R

— KSR (@KSRonX) September 15, 2024

“People are going to question the fourth down,” he said in his postgame press conference. “I don’t … you know I’ve been honest with you for 12 years. If I think I made a mistake, like last week, I’ll tell you. I don’t regret punting that ball. I felt like if we went for it there and don’t make it, then our offense, if we stop them, has to go the length of the field. That was going to be tough against that defense.”

Would Kentucky have converted if it went for it on 4th down? That’s impossible to know for sure. Stoops did what he thought was right at the time, but Kentucky still ended up on the wrong side of a 13-12 heartbreaker.

Adam Spencer

Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.