I can only imagine the expletives Kentucky football fans throw out when the name Hal Mumme comes up in conversation these days.
Sure, Mumme — former UK football coach who is now head coach at Southeastern Louisiana and will coach Lions football in 2003 — took the Wildcats to records of 7-5 and 6-6, respectively, in 1998 and 1999. But at the same time, he committed major NCAA violations that put UK on probation.
Like Alabama, Kentucky cannot win its Southeastern Conference division or go to a bowl game the next two seasons because of punishment handed down by the NCAA.
That doesn’t seem so bad when UK recorded back-to-back 2-9 seasons in 2000 and 2001 and a 1-15 SEC record.
Not many people outside of Lexington, with myself being one of them, batted an eye when the NCAA made its decision on Kentucky football. After all, Kentucky wasn’t going to win more than four games anyway, right?
I guess adversity brings a team together. UK rallied the troops, raised the drawbridge and went to war every Saturday this season, including an upset over then No. 17 Louisville in the first game of the year, along with wins over Arkansas (29-17) and Mississippi State (45-24).
Now Kentucky (6-3, 2-3 SEC) is one of the most explosive offensive teams in the nation and is having an outstanding season under coach Guy Morriss, but the Cats that are going to be playing this holiday season are the ones throwing down the rock in Rupp Arena.
Kentucky is leaving everything on the field this season and playing every game like it’s a bowl game.
The Cats could easily be 8-1, had they pulled out close games against Florida (41-34) and South Carolina (16-12). In their worst loss of the season against Georgia (52-24), Kentucky led 24-21 at halftime.
Last season, UK quarterback Jared Lorenzen and the Cats gave the Tigers a hell of game in Lexington, and it took a Michael Clayton touchdown with seconds left for LSU to win the game 29-25. LSU ended up winning the Southeastern Conference and the Sugar Bowl. Kentucky’s season went down the toilet.
Playing in Lexington for the second straight season, LSU (6-2, 3-1) can expect another fight when it plays the Wildcats this weekend.
There is nothing more dangerous than playing a team with absolutely nothing to lose, and that is true with Kentucky this season. Too bad it won’t pay off with a bowl appearance.