Mark Stoops alarmed by video of Mississippi State player grabbing JuTahn McClain’s facemask

Kentucky football has submitted video that appears to show a Mississippi State player grabbing running back JuTahn McClain by the facemask and wrenching his head to the side during a sideline altercation in Saturday’s game to the Southeastern Conference office.

“I did not see it during the game,” UK coach Mark Stoops said Monday when asked about the video that was being circulated on social media. “I did not know he was hurt after the play. I didn’t know that during the game. I didn’t know until after the game.

“So, I saw the video on the plane. Yeah, I mean, obviously was very alarmed by that. You never want to see a young man hurt in general, let alone while the game is not being played. So, we sent that into the league. It’s out of my hands.”

The sequence starts with a Kentucky kickoff just less than five minutes into the game.

During the Mississippi State return, McClain becomes entangled with a Bulldogs blocker. The two remain engaged after the play is blown dead, eventually pushing each other toward the Mississippi State sideline. At least three other UK players then run to the scene to support McClain, leading to a confrontation with Mississippi State players on the bench.

While there were no punches thrown in the scrum, the SEC Network broadcast shows Mississippi State offensive lineman Kameron Jones grab McClain’s facemask with his left hand then wrench McClain’s head to the right.

McClain was then pulled away from the Mississippi State sideline by an official. As he walked across the field toward the Kentucky bench, McClain eventually went to the ground, leading to a stoppage in play while trainers attended to him. Meanwhile, officials announced an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against UK freshman tight end Khamari Anderson, who was not one of the players involved in the sideline incident.

The UK radio broadcast later reported McClain was questionable to return to the game with a neck injury. Running back Ramon Jefferson replaced McClain as starter Ray Davis’ backup for the rest of the game.

As normal, Stoops did not provide specific injury updates for any of his players Monday, including McClain. The senior running back was listed on the pre-Alabama depth chart and as one of the participants in Saturday’s Senior Day ceremony.

The sideline altercation that resulted in McClain’s injury was the second of the game. Earlier in the first quarter, the two teams had to be separated along Kentucky’s sideline following a Mississippi State punt.

Mississippi State was flagged for nine penalties in the game, including two personal fouls and two unsportsmanlike conducts.

“You have to play this game with emotion, but you can never lose emotional control,” Mississippi State coach Zach Arnett said after the game when asked about his team’s discipline. “Because at the end of the day if you get penalties, whether it be the 15-yard variety that sets you back or gives their offense an additional 15 yards, all you’re really doing is hurting your team.

“It was a spirited game, both teams were coming out, getting after each other and playing physical. I’m not going to criticize officiating because I believe that gets me fined. But we convert a first down by the goal line and we’re pushing the pile, I guess it was ruled one of those pushes was a little too late. ... That hurts you. ... You can never lose emotional control.”

This story was originally published November 6, 2023 at 1:33 PM.

Jon Hale

Lexington Herald-Leader

(859) 414-6776

Jon Hale is the University of Kentucky football beat writer for the Lexington Herald-Leader. He joined the Herald-Leader in 2022 but has covered UK athletics for more than 10 years. Hale was named the 2021 Kentucky Sportswriter of the Year. Support my work with a digital subscription