Barnhart: UK will go into 2019 football season with something to prove

Kentucky will go into this coming football season with something to prove, Director of Athletics Mitch Barnhart said at the Southeastern Conference Spring Meetings on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporter Jimmy Hyams of Knoxville radio station WNML, Barnhart said, “We’re looking for the opportunity to get in the mix. We have a seasoned quarterback. I think the kids are anxious to prove to people it wasn’t a fluke.”

By fluke, Barnhart was referring to Kentucky’s 10-3 record in the 2018 season. That included the program’s first winning conference record since 1977.

Barnhart saluted the leadership of Coach Mark Stoops.

“Mark has done a remarkable job of building a foundation,” Barnhart said.

In a separate interview session, Stoops touted the player evaluation and development in the program. Of the eight UK players who were drafted or signed as free agents by National Football League teams this spring, seven were two- or three-star prospects, he said.

When asked if Kentucky could post another 10-3 record in 2019, Barnhart said, “I can’t answer that with facts. I can only answer that with hope.”

2019 UK football schedule

Aug. 31: TOLEDO

Sept. 7: EASTERN MICHIGAN

Sept. 14: FLORIDA

Sept. 21: at Mississippi State

Sept. 28: at South Carolina

Oct. 5: Open

Oct. 12: ARKANSAS

Oct. 19: at Georgia

Oct. 26: MISSOURI

Nov. 2: Open

Nov. 9: TENNESSEE

Nov. 16: at Vanderbilt

Nov. 23: TENNESSEE-MARTIN

Nov. 30: LOUISVILLE

NOTE: Home games are in all capital letters. All times and television will be announced at a later date.

This story was originally published May 29, 2019 at 7:31 PM.