Kentucky Football: Jordan Jones Implores UK To Fight Back

Sophomore linebacker Jordan Jones is encouraging his Kentucky football teammates to keep fighting in the face of adversity.

The Kentucky football program was supposed to be better than this. Though fans in Lexington have learned to temper expectations, head coach Mark Stoops looked like the man who would save Kentucky from football obscurity.

Two weeks into the 2016 college football season, it appears as though Stoops’ Wildcats have already given up.

Kentucky jumped out to a 35-10 lead over the Southern Miss Golden Eagles. In the six quarters that have followed, however, the Wildcats have been outscored by a margin of 79-7—and no, that isn’t a typo.

According to Jon Hale of The Courier-Journal, sophomore linebacker Jordan Jones is imploring his teammates to fight back.

“I think we need to put in more input, watch more film and have a little more swag to us and not give up,” Jones said. “Because a lot of times when the offenses score a lot of points and they’re up by a lot of points and our offense isn’t doing very well, people on the defense and the offense, too, just tend to feel sorry for themselves.

“So as long as we realize we got this and keep fighting back like we’re supposed to – it’s football – then I think we’ll be good.”

This season is far too promising to give up on after just two games.

Kentucky allowed Southern Miss to score 34 consecutive points en route to a shocking 44-35 loss at home. The Wildcats then allowed Florida to score 45 consecutive points before Jojo Kemp finally put the team on the board in the fourth quarter.

Allowing 79 consecutive points is terrible for any team, let alone an SEC squad with bowl game aspirations.

Jones is the last player to blame for the Wildcats’ lackluster energy and effort. Through two games, he already has 28 tackles, including 18 solo, three tackles for loss, one sack, and a pass broken up.

Jones has displayed remarkable energy and tenacity, but not all of his coaches or teammates have matched him stride for stride.

Kentucky now has two options. It can either fight back and embrace its status as the overlooked underdog or it can officially quit on itself and let the passionate fan base down.

The options have been presented and alternatives don’t exist.

Here’s hoping Kentucky has enough character to push through these trying times and reward Big Blue Nation for its loyalty and support.