December 29, 2023 n EverBank Stadium n Jacksonville, Fla. Presented Byto Today's Game Sponsor,Kentucky’s insurance company. If you’re keeping score. Life, like football games, can be unpredictable. So it’s nice to know that when you experience loss from a storm or accident, Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance will stand behind you with the winning service you deserve. FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL: Find Your Local Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance Agent@UKSportsNetwork 5 CONTENTS 2023 TaxSlayer Bowl December 29 n EverBank Stadium n Jacksonville, Fla. 2023 Kentucky Football Yearbook is published by the University of Kentucky Athletics Department. University of Kentucky Athletics Director: Mitch Barnhart Communications and Public Relations: Susan Lax, Matt May, Cami Moore- Williams, Tony Neely 546 East Main Street First Floor Lexington, KY 40508 859-226-4368 UK Sports Marketing Powered by JMI Sports Brandon Baker, Curtis Burch, Randy Carter, John Foellger, Annie Gillenwater, Devin Jones, Adair Mattingly, Seth Poteat, Kim Ramsay, Lance Reed, Courtney Roney, Chad Ruhl, Kim Shelton, Brad Tucker Design & Publishing Managing Editor Jai Giffin Creative Director Jamie Barker Production Assistance Laura Doolittle, Lisa Roberts Kentucky Wildcats Roster 26 TaxSlayer Bowl Information 6 Everbank Stadium Protocols 7 TaxSlayer Bowl Schedule of Events 9 Cat Byte Marques Cox talks about his friendship with Ray Davis. 10 Bowl Talk Mark Stoops and his staff prepare for Clemson. 12 BBN TV Daikiel Shorts joins the UK staff as wide receivers coach. 14 EverBank Stadium Seating Chart/ Ticket Links 16 Mark Stoops Head Coach 22 City of Jacksonville, Fla. 18 UK Game Summary Tennessee 40 UK Game Summary Mississippi State 41 UK Game Summary Alabama 42 UK Game Summary South Carolina 43 UK Game Summary Louisville 44 UK Bowl Results 45 UK Bowl Records 46 UK Sports Network TV 49 UK Sports Network Radio 48 UK Game Summary Missouri 39 Clemson Tigers Roster 28 Today’s Two Deep Kentucky/Clemson 29 Statistical Leaders Kentucky/ Clemson 30 Clemson Tigers 31 UK Game Summary Ball State 32 UK Game Summary Eastern Kentucky 34 UK Game Summary Akron 35 UK Game Summary Florida 37 UK Game Summary Vanderbilt 36 UK Game Summary Georgia 38 Kentucky Assistant Coaching Staff 24 CLEMSONKENTUCKYGame Day Activities December 29, 2023 EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, Fla. Kickoff: Noon K entucky (7-5, 3-5 SEC) will meet Clemson (8-4, 4-4 ACC) in the 79th Annual TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. This will be the 14th meeting between the Wildcats and Tigers and the first since 2006. Kentucky is 8-5 vs. Clemson all-time. Stadium Parking Stadium Information Buy Tickets Bowl Information TaxSlayer Bowl Information CLEMSONKENTUCKY 6 @UKFootball@UKSportsNetwork 7 EverBank Stadium Protocols BEFORE THE GAME: Parking And Arrival n Arrive early! Construction around the sports complex will impact traffic patterns on game day. n Parking Lots open at 7:00 AM n We have moved to mobile parking passes for the 2023 TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. Please have your pass ready! n All stadium gates open two hours prior to kick- off, at 10:00 AM this year n Please be a good teammate and stay home if you aren’t feeling well or have been exposed to COVID-19. Bag Policy & Prohibited Items n Leave your bags at home! n Guests are permitted to carry a clutch, bag or wallet no larger than 4.5” x 6.5”, a one-gallon clear plastic bag or CLEAR bag no larger than 12” x 6” x 12”. n Tobacco products (including e-cigarettes) are prohibited. For medical exception requests, please email info@taxslayergatorbowl.com or on game day visit the nearest gate supervisor. n Prohibited items include, without limitation: n All bags with the exception of a 4.5” x 6.5” or smaller clutch, wallet or clear bag no larger than 12” x 6” x 12” n Cameras with detachable lenses or lenses longer than six inches n Clothing with profane or obscene language/ content n Coolers or containers, including cans, cups n Bottles and beverages from outside the sta- dium (except 1 factory sealed plastic bottle of water 16.9 oz or less per ticket holder) n Drones or unmanned aerial vehicles n Inflatables, loungers and other floatation devices n Knives, guns and any type of weapons (in- cluding actual, toy or replica) or explosives n Laser pointers n Laptop computers n Noise makers, whistles, and air horns n Non-lethal weapons and chemical agents (i.e., pepper spray, mace and tasers) n Pets (except service animals) n Seat cushions n Signs or Banners larger than 2’ x 3’ n Sticks or poles (including selfie sticks) n Strollers or Infant carriers n Tobacco Products (cigarettes, e cigarettes, chewing tobacco) n Umbrellas n Video equipment and tape recorders All ticket holders and their belongings are subject to search (including by walk-through magnetometers, magnetic wanding: and/or pat down) upon entry into the stadium. By tendering a ticket and entering the stadium, ticket holders consent to such searches and waive any related claims that they may have against the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, the City of Jacksonville, ASM Global and their respective affiliates and agents. If ticket holders elect not to consent to the searches, they will be denied entry into the stadium without refund. Mobile Tickets n Have your ticket downloaded and ready be- fore arriving at the entry gates. n Guests are recommended to have their own mobile ticket. n Please visit TaxSlayerGatorBowl.com/MobileT- icketingGuide for a step-by-step guide for how to download your tickets. Cashless Transactions n Cash is no longer accepted anywhere at the stadium. This ensures contactless options for food, beverage, and merchandise purchases. n Cash will no longer be accepted at the sta- dium and ATMs have been removed from the premises. In addition to traditional scan and chip options, all fixed points of sale will offer tap or scan payment options including, Apple, Google and Samsung pay. n Those with cash needing to convert to card can visit the nearest Guest Services Booth for assistance. Guest Services Booths are located at section 104, 123, 143, 410, 436 and East and West club lobbies. At The Stadium n Guests are permitted to bring one, commer- cially-branded, factory-sealed, plastic, 16.9 oz. or less size bottle of water inside the gates at EverBank Stadium. n Additional water-bottle filler stations have been installed at the stadium. n Guests needing to cool down are recommend- ed to visit the south end zone plaza level or Dai- ly’s Place for shaded areas. n Off the field, EverBank Stadium is transitioning to a cashless payment stadium ensuring contact- less options for food, beverage and merchandise concessions purchases. Cash will no longer be accepted at the stadium and ATMs have been removed from the premises. In addition to tra- ditional scan and chip options, all fixed points of sale will offer tap or scan payment options including JagsPay, Apple, Google and Samsung pay. n Enhanced entry experience with new shaded gates and added points of entry. n Don’t miss a minute of your event with our new self-service bar, TendedBar, located in the North Deck. Register with 3 easy steps, and or- der drinks for the rest of the game without having to use your ID or credit card again. n Stadium improvements are on-going this sea- son, including the Pride of the Jaguars and club seating. First Aid n First aid stations are located at sections 123, 410 and 436. n The stadium’s onsite medical team will be prepared to treat guests on-site. n If you’re in the stadium and begin to feel ill, you should seek help immediately. FAN EXPERIENCE: FAN AMENITIES Fan Entertainment Zone n Pre-game activities for the fans can be found here. n Mobile charging stations provided by JEA are available throughout the stadium. For assistance locating one, please visit the nearest Guest Ser- vices Booth. n Mom Pods & Sensory Room are located on the plaza level in the south end zone. Together We Win n Be a good teammate by abiding by all proto- cols and following the directions of stadium staff. n Those that do not, will be subject to disci- plinary measures as outlined in the Fan Code of Conduct. CLEMSONKENTUCKY@UKSportsNetwork 9 Bowl Events Game Week Events TaxSlayer Gator Bowl Pep Rallies December 28th, 2023 5:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. Deck the Chairs Jacksonville Beach Seawalk Pavilion ACC Team Pep Rally – 5:30 P.M. SEC Team Pep Rally – 6:15 P.M. Gator Bowl Charities 5K Run & Mile presented by Bank of America Saturday, December 30th, 2023 8:00 A.M. Downtown Jacksonville (Starts at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena) Jacksonville Beach Deck the Chairs November 22nd – January 1st Exhibit Open 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM Nightly Nightly Light Show (running on the hour) Every Weekend Jacksonville Beach Seawalk Pavilion FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC There’s magic in the chair! Jacksonville Beach Deck The Chairs (JBDTC) is an annual lighted sculptural exhibit using lifeguard chairs. Marking its seventh year in community service, JBDTC gath- ers community to decorate and display the Beaches lifeguard chairs during the month of December to promote local business, instill public pride, and share cultural diversity through creative expres- sion. Free and open to the public, the light display aims to provide a wholesome and festive downtown during the holidays! City of Jacksonville New Year’s Eve Fireworks Sunday, December 31, 2023 Midnight Downtown Jacksonville (Along the St. Johns River) FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Say goodbye to 2023 and ring in the New Year with a spectacular fireworks display over the St. Johns River. Make your way down to the waterfront with friends or family before midnight to snag a great seat for the festivities. Fireworks will begin exactly at midnight. Game Week Events Parking Lots Open – 7 AM Gates Open – 10 AM Touchdown Party presented by North Florida Sales 10:00 A.M. – Noon EverBank Stadium Sky Patio $75 per Ticket Includes pre-game meal + 4 drink vouchers Vouchers can be redeemed for: Beer, Wine, Select Breakfast Cock- tails, Soda, Water *MUST HAVE GAME TICKET TO ENTER* TaxSlayer Gator Bowl Pre-Game Show presented by CSX 11:30 AM Bill Gay Grounds at EverBank Stadium 79th Annual TaxSlayer Gator Bowl Noon Bill Gay Grounds at EverBank Stadium ESPN CLEMSONKENTUCKYNext >