The football season is over and 2017 is here. The Cats Illustrated team takes a look back at the season that was in our typical roundtable format.
MORE FOOTBALL AND RECRUITING CONTENT AT CATS ILLUSTRATED
Florida defensive tackle favors Kentucky
TAXSLAYER BREAKDOWN: Stephen Johnson's fumble
What were the three most memorable moments from Kentucky's 2016 football season?
Josh Ellis, Staff Writer: Upsetting Louisville in Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium. The Wildcats earned their first win over the Cardinals since 2010, and when Austin MacGinnis’ kick sailed through the uprights head coach Mark Stoops and company knew they just won one of the biggest games in school history. Stephen Johnson played his best game of the season that day and finished with 421 total yards and three touchdowns.
Having two 1,000 yard backs in Boom Williams and Benny Snell. Kentucky may never have a duo as strong as Boom and Benny, and to do something that’s never been achieved in program history is truly amazing. By my count, only four other Division I schools had a pair of 1,000 yard rushers this year.
Austin MacGinnis’ kick to beat Mississippi State. In my opinion this was the kick that saved Kentucky’s season. As it turned out it technically didn’t since the Wildcats won at U of L, but if the Wildcats lost to MSU back in late October, the team would’ve been sitting at 3-4 with Missouri, Georgia, Tennessee, Austin Peay and Louisville left on the schedule. And at the time many – myself included- didn’t think UK could ring out three wins against those five to finally become bowl eligible.
T.J. Walker, Basketball Recruiting Analyst: Kentucky's last second field goal against Mississippi State, the blowout win at Missouri and the upset at Louisville. All three wins and all three were major moments in Kentucky football history. The game was great against MSU and every UK fan knows the importance of the win at Louisville, but the Missouri win is underrated. Rarely does UK go on the road in the SEC and beat the doors off an opponent. That happened in Columbia.
Justin Rowland, Publisher: I'll go with MacGinnis' game winner against Mississippi State as well, just because Kentucky hadn't had any luck against Dan Mullen before that (and the Bulldogs did ultimately have some quality wins) as one. Lamar Jackson's fourth quarter fumble, recovered by Kentucky, has to be the second most memorable moment. The Heisman Trophy winner dropping the ball in that situation, just before Kentucky goes down to win the game, has to be on the list. The third is tough but I'll go with Kentucky's bowl experience if not the game itself. Seeing that many Kentucky fans converge on Jacksonville, at the Landing for the pep rally and then at EverBank Field, was a pretty cool experience that won't be forgotten by those who were there.
What were the three most forgettable moments from the season?
Josh Ellis, Staff Writer: Losing to Southern Miss in the season opener. It’s crazy to look back on it now, but if Kentucky hadn’t disappeared in the second half of that game it could have an eight-win season. The Golden Eagles scored 34 unanswered and ruined what was supposed to be the start of a great season in Lexington.
Drew Barker’s injury. It’s easy to look back at all the “what ifs” with Kentucky if Barker hadn’t gotten hurt on the opening series against New Mexico State, but with what Stephen Johnson was able to accomplish and how well he played in big games, fans shouldn’t waste time thinking about how the season could’ve gone had No. 7 been behind center all season. Johnson surpassed expectations and arguably led UK to a similar or better record than Barker would have.
UK’s loss in the TaxSlayer Bowl. Kentucky didn’t play its best football against Georgia Tech. It was a disappointing loss for Stoops but he was quick to note that he’s excited about the future of Kentucky football. The goal for the Wildcats was always to get to reach six wins and get to a bowl game, but next year it should be to win one. Use the loss as a learning experience and move on to next season.
T.J. Walker, Basketball Recruiting Analyst: The loss to Southern Miss, the blowout loss to Florida and the narrow defeat to Georgia. The Southern Miss loss could have derailed the season just as it started and it looked like that would be the case after the performance at Florida. The loss to Georgia was brutal for Kentucky. The Cats had won five of six and Commonwealth Stadium was as rowdy as it's been under Mark Stoops. Kentucky actually looked like the better team, too, but a last second field goal won it for the Bulldogs. That was a tough loss for UK.
Justin Rowland, Publisher: I'll go with the loss at Georgia, as T.J. said, but I'll specifically say Jeff Badet's drop on the perfectly-thrown bomb by Stephen Johnson. It was a critical play and one that's easy to access from memory. Forget any talk of a curse, as UK did just go to a quality bowl game, but that's the kind of play Kentucky fans have seen too much of over the year. The loss against Florida was obviously very forgettable, because UK had played them close for two consecutive years and it was a bloodbath that was never competitive. The third would have to be the season-opening loss to Southern Miss. Specifically, the second half, when the "Finish" mantra clearly hadn't stuck.
Who was Kentucky's best player and Kentucky's most valuable player in 2016?
Josh Ellis, Staff Writer: Kentucky’s best player was Benny Snell. He was the workhorse that dragged defender after defender for extra yards that turned into first downs and touchdowns. Snell broke the school record for most consecutive 100-yard games, most yards in a season by a freshman and most touchdowns in a season by a freshman.
Kentucky’s MVP was Stephen Johnson. Johnson was thrown into the fire against New Mexico State and got better as the season progressed. His performance at Louisville was one UK fans shouldn’t forget about. He finished his first year completing 54.7 percent of his passes, 2,037 yards through the air and 16 total touchdowns.
T.J. Walker, Basketball Recruiting Analyst: Kentucky's best player was Jordan Jones. The future is bright at linebacker and Jones was a monster for UK. He was one of the top tacklers in the SEC and a bright spot on a flawed UK defense. Kentucky's most valuable player was Stephen Johnson. No disrespect to Drew Barker but the Cats don't go 7-5 without Johnson. The offense became more versatile and Johnson was as steady as a QB the Cats have had since Andre Woodson. Johnson grew as the season did but always seemed to do enough to have the Cats in the game.
Justin Rowland, Publisher: Kentucky's best player was Benny Snell and Kentucky's most valuable player was Stephen Johnson. We've had this debate before, but Johnson has to be the most valuable if we're using those words literally. When he came in as Kentucky's starting quarterback the Cats went 7-4 and he outdueled Lamar Jackson on his home field. Take Johnson away and it's very unlikely UK wins seven games. They probably aren't in a bowl game. Snell was the best player for Kentucky because he was both spectacular and a workhorse. His entry into the playing rotation also coincided with UK's improved fortunes. He energized the entire team with his running style and scored a ton of touchdowns.
What's your expectation for Kentucky football in 2017?
Josh Ellis, Staff Writer: I expect Kentucky to have another 6-7 win season next year. Other than losing Boom Williams and Jon Toth, there should be little to no drop off on the offensive end. On defense, guys got valuable experience this year and when you throw some of the soon-to-be freshman and sophomores in the mix the unit should be improved in 2017. Again, the goal for the Wildcats in 2017 shouldn’t just to be make a bowl, but win one.
T.J. Walker, Basketball Recruiting Analyst: Kentucky should have a great season in 2017. The schedule is intriguing where the Cats will have tough opponents at home and more average opponents on the road. Can Kentucky find ways to win on the road while protecting Commonwealth Stadium? If so, UK could be in for a big season. The offense was good in 2016 and will only get better, but will the defense improve? It will have to if the Kentucky wants to win 8+.
Justin Rowland, Publisher: On Twitter I predicted Kentucky to finish 9-3 because of a returning quarterback who has improved and is unflappable, a running game that should be fantastic, and a defense that returns almost everybody. But I don't think it would be fair to say nine wins is the expectation in terms of a minimum amount of success that would satisfy most fans. I think another 7-5 season would be an accomplishment. Anything less would be a disappointment, even if 6-6 would be tolerated (bowl games have been few and far between in Lexington).
