Make sure you enjoy this bowl experience
December 25th, 2009 | 
Author: Editor’s note: Mary Jo Perino is a sports anchor for WLEX-TV in Lexington and will be covering the Music City Bowl. She’s a regular contributor for vaughtsviews.com.
By MARY JO PERINO
Listen, I didn’t really want to go back to Tennessee either. That’s two years in a row for me (I missed the first Music City Bowl while I was living in Atlanta).
But the fact is, that’s where Kentucky is playing. No one on the team seems all that excited about another trip to this game and I have mixed feelings about that.
First, I want them to want more and to believe they can play in a better bowl, so I like that now ANY bowl game isn’t good enough. On the flip side, I certainly hope the disappointment doesn’t lead to a loss.
I hope this team prepared for this game the same way they would for any other, maybe with even more vigor. I hope it’s important for the players to keep the bowl winning streak alive. If you think you deserved better than Nashville, prove it.
I would imagine after playing in the ACC championship game, Clemson feels it deserves better. Both teams should have worked their tails off to show what other bowls missed out on.
Just think, if this does indeed end up being the final game for Rich Brooks, which I desperately hope its not, don’t you want to send him out with a win? Him of all people?
It’s been said numerous times how great it is to go to a bowl game for all the extra practices and for the recognition it gives your team. I agree. It’s helped build this program over the last three years. Another win in a bowl, regardless of which bowl it is, will help.
Let’s not lose sight of the big picture. In Brooks’ second year, was it even conceivable to think of this as a headline: Kentucky Headed To Fourth Straight Bowl. You would have said ‘Hallelujah!’
Back then, no one would have scoffed at the Music City Bowl in Nashville. Fans would have been booking hotel rooms in June! That’s why we all need to take a break, myself included, and stop being so disappointed by the destination.
That goes for the players. That goes for the fans. Get over it. We are where we are, and just a short time ago, we didn’t think we’d ever be there.
Posted in UK Football
Great article Mary Jo. I totally agree with you. We can look back and see that we were just a few plays from winning 10 games. Just think, a few years ago those games were not even close. That speaks volumes of how far the program has come. Go Big Blue!
Very well said, Mary Jo. This program… this senior class… this team have overcome probation, key injuries, and doubters. For UK Football coaches, players, and fans there is much to celebrate and tons of which to be proud.Four straight bowl victories for the first time in UK history would bw/will be a monumental milestone.
These players and coaches have given us four years of exciting football and wonderful bowl trips and victories. If it is now our turn to fire up the team and infuse them with support and confidence, let’s do it! GO BIG BLUE!!
Neither team wants to be in this game, and would rather be in FL. That being said, once the whistle sounds, the ‘Cats will come to play. Everyone is healthy and ready to roll, save for Maxwell.
I think the UK crowd could again be the difference in the game and give UK another needed bowl win. Again, no bad bowls for the Cats