Less than an hour before kickoff, the University of Kentucky announced that offensive line coach John Schlarman had missed the team’s trip to Missouri, adding that offensive coordinator Eddie Gran would handle the coaching responsibilities for his unit.
While the official reasoning for the absence was not given before or after the game, Schlarman was diagnosed with stage four cholangiocarcinoma in July 2018, a battle he continues to face.
“Obviously he was not able to make it and I want to respect Lee Anne and John and their privacy,” Stoops said after the game. “I don’t think it’s right for me to comment any more about that.