When the clock struck 00:00 at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on November 29, 2014, Mark Stoops and his staff had to accept reality, Kentucky was not going to a bowl game in 2014. The goal had vanished and the staff had to reprocess their upcoming winter and spring. The effects of the loss to Louisville were dramatic. There were defections in the impending recruiting class and there was wavering support from a small part of the fan base as it turned its attention to the basketball season.
It has been well documented that Kentucky began the season 5-1, yet finished 0-6.