Mark Stoops had brought Kentucky to the brink of history. The Wildcats were there, on the verge of a historic upset win over No. 1 Georgia in Lexington.

And then it happened. The Bulldogs were clinging to a one-point lead late in the 4th quarter and the Wildcats were holding the ball, so Stoops decided to play cautiously instead of going all out.

Instead of attempting a 4th and 8 just inside Georgia territory, Stoops decided to punt the ball away with just under 3 minutes left. Kentucky had all 3 timeouts at the time of the decision, but it never felt like the right decision.

If the Wildcats scored, they would be just a few yards away from the distance they needed for a game-winning field goal attempt. And a miss wouldn’t change what Georgia needed to win: just a few first downs.

The decision to play field position ultimately proved to be a mistake. The line of scrimmage for Kentucky’s fourth-down punt would have been their own 47-yard line after a false start. Georgia would cross that field position mark just moments into the ensuing drive, rendering the decision to punt completely pointless.

Given what was at stake, hordes of fans and analysts alike have been scathing in their criticism of Stoops for his decision. That’s easy to say considering how horribly the plan backfired, with the Bulldogs ultimately escaping with a 13-12 victory.

This is how social media reacted to the decision:

This is unbelievable. The No. 1 team is on the ropes and you are punting on the plus side of the field pic.twitter.com/pSKpupNhMI

— Pick Six Previews (@PickSixPreviews) 15 September 2024

Just to be clear.

Kentucky, one point behind, was punted to the best team in the country, with possibly the best QB in the draft?

— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) 15 September 2024

Kentucky punts?

— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) 15 September 2024

It was unscrupulous of Mark Stoops to kick the ball away.

— Ari Wasserman (@AriWasserman) 15 September 2024

This game will be a defining topic of conversation for Stoops’ conservative mindset

This guy is as hot as he can be

— J. Kyle Mann (@jkylemann) 15 September 2024

During Mark Stoops’ interview in Iowa, he will simply rip off this feature film, fold his arms, grin and wink.

— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) 15 September 2024

Mark Stoops simply chose to claim a moral victory rather than pursue a real one

— The Kentucky Network (@KentuckyNet) 15 September 2024

I always believed Mark Stoops was Iowa’s future head coach. Now I’m sure.

— Adam Kramer (@KegsnEggs) 15 September 2024

Mark Stoops was declared ineligible for the remainder of the season.

— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) 15 September 2024

Kentucky is fresh off an embarrassing loss to South Carolina. Georgia is in trouble at home. And Stoops punts the ball from plus territory 10 yards away from a game-winning field goal attempt?

PLEASE JUST MAKE THIS SENSE

— Ari Wasserman (@AriWasserman) 15 September 2024