PawPaw has his signature road win now
November 22nd, 2009 | 
Author: By LARRY VAUGHT
The sign said it all: “In PawPaw We Trust.”
Delirious Kentucky fans had that sign and ESPN’s cameras found out it immediately after UK beat Georgia 34-27 to give coach Rich Brooks perhaps his biggest road win with the Wildcats.
Suddenly the Wildcats are 7-4 overall, 3-4 in the SEC East and positioned not only to possibly finish second in the SEC East, but also play in the Outback Bowl or Chick-fil-A Bowl.
Considering how poorly Kentucky played in the first half when it fell behind 20-7, Brooks must have a pact with the devil to have inspired his team at halftime the way he did. He had worked his magic the previous game at Vanderbilt — but this was at Georgia, a place UK had not won since 1977.
Randall Cobb — who was questionable because of a bruised shoulder — ran for two touchdowns and the Bulldogs helped by turning the ball over four times in the second half, including a screen pass that defensive tackle Shane McCord intercepted to set up Cobb’s winning touchdown.
This is unbelievable. Not only was it only UK’s fourth win ever in Athens, but it was Kentucky’s third straight SEC road win this year and the Cats go into the Tennessee game with more momentum than they had in years . Maybe this will be the year the Tennessee hex ends, too.
The Wildcats had so many big plays and so many players sparkle. Obviously, anytime the Cats win Cobb and Derrick Locke (touchdown receptions of 20 and 61 yards) have to be special — and they were. But freshman quarterback Morgan Newton continues to mature and improve as he’s allowed to do more and he never loses his poise. He threw three touchdown passes
Receiver LaRod King had a fantastic one-handed TD catch. Linebacker Sam Maxwell was ferocious and it was only fitting that his interception with 1:52 left saved the victory. Or what about McCord’s interception. He had never made a big play in what had been a somewhat disappointing career and he now may have made the one that guaranteed UK a bowl berth south of the state of Tennessee this year.
Tackle Corey Peters was superb, too. Heck, the list could go on and on because after being dominated the way the Cats were in the first half, it takes a team effort to come back and win.
Brooks had challenged his team to quit talking about wanting to play in a more prestigious bowl and to win a game to make it happen — something UK couldn’t do against South Carolina or Mississippi State.
This time the Cats delivered and if UK can beat Tennessee, Brooks should be SEC coach of the year. I know what Urban Meyer and Nick Saban have done, but I might have Florida and Alabama unbeaten if I was head coach. Try letting those guys win eight games with the team Brooks has.
And the future keeps looking better and better the more Newton plays. He was jumping up and down on the field after the game and later told Dick Gabriel on the UK Radio Network that he remember sitting at home in Carmel, Ind., last year when UK lost a heartbreaker to Georgia in Commonwealth Stadium.
“That was awesome,” Newton said on the postgame radio show. “The first half was tough because we were down, but we just executed the second half and it worked out for us. I had confidence in the offensive line, receivers and Locke and those guys running the ball. I knew it was just a matter of time before we started making plays.
“I don’t think the coaches get enough credit for what they do during halftime. We have had a lot of comebacks in the second half this year.”
They have but none has been more memorable or significant than this one.
Posted in UK Football
WOW!!!!!!!!GO BIG BLUE!!!!!!!
MADE the DAWGS pay for the turnovers..That is what great teams do..This was HUGE!!!GO BIG BLUE!!!!!
Larry: It was 20-6 at half..But we won’t stop reading your great work..LOL…GO BIG BLUE!!!!
How About COBB..you have to tie him down and stick him in the luggage compartment on the bus to keep that kid off the field….when you see those COBB!!Legand posters in the stands you better believe It!!!GO BIG BLUE!!! Cory Peters and sam Maxwell are uping the stock on the NFL every week now..Great “D” guys for just enough to get this HUGE WIN!!! GO BIG BLUE!!!
I better stop.. I’m taking up all the post..LOL
Great result tonight, but I’m afraid to look at the stats. Regardless, we’ll take it. Lots and lots of work to do to get ready for one of the biggest Tennessee games in recent history (in my opinion). Go Big Blue!
The devil went down to Georgia, he was looking for a game to steal.
He was in a bind ‘cos he was way behind: he was willin’ to make a deal.
When he came across this young man tossin a football and playin’ it hot.
And the devil jumped upon a hickory stump and said: “Boy let me tell you what:
“I bet you didn’t know it, but I’m a football player too.
“And if you’d care to take a dare, I’ll make a bet with you.
“Now you play a pretty good wildcat, boy, but give the devil his due:
“I bet a football of gold against your soul, ‘cos I think I’m better than you.”
The boy said: “My name’s Randle and it might be a sin,
“But I’ll take your bet, your gonna regret, ‘cos I’m the best that’s ever been.”
Randle rosin up your arm and play your football hard.
‘Cos hells broke loose in Georgia and the devil deals it hard.
And if you win you get this shiny football made of gold.
But if you lose, the devil gets your soul.
The devil opened up his case and he said: “I’ll start this show.”
And fire flew from his fingertips as he rared back to throw.
And he threw across the middle and it made the crowd hiss.
Then a band of fans joined in and it sounded something like this.
When the devil finished, Randle said: “Well you’re pretty good ol’ son.
“But if you’ll sit down in that chair, right there, and let me show you how its done.”
Fire on the moun, run boys, run.
The devil’s in the house of the risin’ sun.
Chicken in the bread pin, pickin’ out dough.
“Granny, does your dog bite?”
“No, child, no.”
The devil bowed his head because he knew that he’d been beat.
He laid that golden football on the ground at Randle’s feet.
Randle said: “Devil just come on back if you ever want to try again.
“I told you once, you son of a bitch, I’m the best that’s ever been.”
And he played fire on the mount, run boys, run.
The devil’s in the house of the risin’ sun.
Chicken in the bread pin pickin’ out dough.
“Granny, does your dog bite?”
“No, child, no.”
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!!
BRING ON THE VOLS!!!!!!!!! GO BIG BLUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
cobbycobb – THAT is AWESOME!
What a great, great win! There were a lot of mistakes, but a win is a win is a win! I hope this team uses the same intensity from their last 2 second halves to play a WHOLE game against UT next week because I would really like to CRUSH them.
On a funny note: Did anyone else hear it when the one TV announcer, Mark Jones I think, introduce Newton as he ran onto the field after the opening kickoff? He called him MorTen NewGon! Of course, right before kickoff, he also said that Florida was going to be playing Georgia in the SEC Championship game.
Cobbcat can you send that to my e-mail. It was great. My wife loved it. ukfmly@yahoo.com. What a big win. I posted some song lyrics awhile back out Faith. I said the train was coming. People get ready the train has arrived. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. GO BLUE OR STAY HOME.
CobbyCobb that is outstanding. YOu are as quick and creative as Randall Cobb. Thanks for sharing that. Made my morning
CobbyCobb! That is just fantasitic!
Now, to end that horrible streak and to give me a reason to return back to Knoxville next Sunday to be locked up immediately!!! Man I love this team!
PawPaw for president!
Larry, love your commentary and your insightto the BIG BLUE>
Thanks Sebastian. A fun time right now.
LIke the PawPaw for President, too. The man has been amazing
What a great win!!! The block Conner had to spring Cobb for the 12 yard TD was AWESOME, HE TOOK OUT TWO GUYS!!! NOW IT’S TIME TO SILENCE ROCKY TOP!!! BEAT THE UNIVERSITY OF THIEVES!!!
Larry please make cobbycobb song so we can print it. GREAT Cobbycobb
Larry, I always enjoy listening to you when you’re on with Kyle and the boys on Sunday mornings. Alwasy insightful, and always right on the money! And Cobbycobb, GREAT takeoff! Charlie Daniels would be proud!
Now, lets beat the Vols next week and put an exclamation point on this season!
Thanks CoffeeLady. Appreciate that.
Will see what I can do David. That is something our tech guys have to do. Has to do with copyright stuff, but I will work on it for you.
I have read a ton of internet boards after the UGA-UK match up. What I find absolutely funny is the fact that most Georgia fans have this illusion that Georgia simply handed the ball to Kentucky and said please “Go score”. WOW does this sound like a Kentucky basketball fan?
They point to the first half and say “ Hey we were up 20 to 6 and IF we had played the same in the second half, we would have blown them out”. Well UGA fan – you didn’t, and the most insignificant score of a football game is the score at half time.
Good coaches take lessons learned from the first half and adjust for the second.
What I saw in the second half was a determined Kentucky team that took it at Georgia. UGA did not hand Kentucky the ball, Kentucky took it away from them.
Kentucky’s defense was stellar and the offense did what it had to do to capitalize. Ballgame!!!!
So let’s celebrate a “BIG” win. Recognize that this Kentucky football team got it done in a hostile environment and show up and support a team that we hope TAKES another one from Tennessee.
No team gives Kentucky an inch of respect. This team earns their wins.
Great post BK. Georgia football fans are similar to UK basketball fans. Both have high expectations and have trouble crediting an opponent. Just the way it is. Sure Georgia made mistakes. But UK took advantage on the road and won. I am with you. GREAT WIN
Rich Brooks is, by far, the best coach in UK history and should be bronzed when he retires. I’ve watched UK football since the days of Stoll Field and it has been one disappointment after another until Brooks. What he has done is simply amazing, and if anyone doesn’t agree, just look at UK’s football record for the past 50 years.
You are obviously true blue and wise. No way anyone can argue with you because in spite of all Bryant did, the competition then was just not like it is today