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Photo: Following TaxSlayer Bowl loss, Kentucky rewards team with rings
By Will Ogburn
Published:
In the SEC, contending for a trip to Atlanta is the minimum goal for most teams. For Kentucky, a bowl appearance will be chalked up as a win.
After a 7-6 season that ended with a 33-18 loss to Georgia Tech in the TaxSlayer Bowl, the Wildcats are getting rings.
This morning, our players received their bowl rings. #WeAreUK pic.twitter.com/i1r4F03Ryb
— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) April 18, 2017
Though this may seem like a participation trophy, the rings do represent a step in the right direction for UK football. Mark Stoops’ Wildcats made a bowl for their first time in his four-year tenure last season despite battling adversity.
The season got off to a rocky start with a defeat at the hands of Southern Miss in Week 1, followed by the loss of starting QB Drew Barker in Week 3. The ‘Cats were able to right the ship afterward, however, earning a signature win over Lousiville and Heisman-winning QB Lamar Jackson in the regular season finale.
The 41-38 upset win over Louisville in the Governer’s Cup is commemorated, along with the player’s name and the phrase “Go Big Blue” on the side of each ring.
Hopefully for Kentucky fans, Stoops can build on this success, as his .338 win percentage is ahead of only first-year man Barry Odom at Mizzou among SEC coaches.
A former resident of both Baton Rouge and the heart of Crimson Tide country, Will Ogburn handles multimedia content and news coverage for Saturday Down South.
