LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — There are thousands fewer sports officials in Kentucky than a few years ago, and the Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) points to one major issue – spectators.

“I think you’re seeing officials get out of the officiating business is one problem and the other problem is people don’t want to get into it,” said associate commissioner Butch Cope.

Cope said the number of officials dropped from about 9,000 officials in 2018 to 5,700 in 2023. He said it’s because of bad sportsmanship.

“Fans just need to take a breath, and stop and think sometimes, the things they say, the coaches or administrators, would they say that to their spouse? Would they say that to their school principal? Would they say that to their superintendent?” said Cope.

He said if there aren’t enough referees, games will be canceled. Cope said it’s typically freshman and JV games that get the axe—in order for varsity games to still go on.

Soccer and wrestling have the biggest shortages of sports officials, but the KHSAA has devised a creative solution in recent years to combat that. It’s a program that gets 14-17-year-olds officiating for lower-level games with a mentor.

“They’re not perfect, but I don’t think our players or coaches are perfect either so we got to work together to improve the sportsmanship aspect,” said Cope.

If you’re interested in becoming a sports official, click here for more information.

The final injury report is in as the Kentucky Wildcats wrap up their preparation for tomorrow’s matchup with the Georgia Bulldogs at Kroger Field.

It has been an eventful week for the Cats, who look to bounce back from their loss to the South Carolina Gamecocks last week. Well, they will now have to officially do it fairly shorthanded.

Tonight, the final injury report was released, and several key players remain in the report.

Still listed in a questionable status are Maxwell Hairston and Gerald Mincey, while Brock Vandagriff and Keshawn Silver are listed as probable. Alongside those two, the Cats will officially be without Jager Burton and Jason Patterson.

Losing Hairston would be a crippling loss for a secondary that’s already a major question mark, so hopefully he’s able to go. Hairston is arguably the second-best player on the roster behind Deone Walker.

The Georgia Bulldogs will officially be without three defensive linemen: Mykel Williams, Jordan Hall, and Warren Brinson.

Should be a fun night at Kroger Field. Let’s see if the Cats can pull off the upset.

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After a letdown loss to South Carolina in Week 2, Kentucky hosts No. 1 Georgia on Saturday at Kroger Field. The Wildcats need to show some resiliency after losing 31-6 to the Gamecocks, but the schedule was cruel, sending the top-ranked Bulldogs to Lexington. A 24-point betting favorite, Georgia has won 41 consecutive regular season games and the last 14 meetings with Kentucky. It’s the worst possible opponent for the Wildcats.

Before the game kicks off, the KSR office has its weekly round of pregame predictions, a Friday tradition around here. This week, everyone agrees that Kentucky is in for a long Saturday night.

Drew Franklin

I incorrectly predicted Kentucky over Georgia the last few years, hoping to speak an upset into existence. This year, though, I can’t find the optimism to make the unpopular pick again, not after how Kentucky played last week. So, I expect Kentucky will take its 15th straight loss to the Dawgs on Saturday, likely by a wide margin. I don’t see how Kentucky’s offense can score many points, if any, after the way the offense looked against South Carolina.

I have higher expectations for UK’s defense, which held Georgia to 16 and 14 points in Georgia’s last two trips to Lexington. Still, the programs are too far apart in 2024, so I predict Georgia will keep being Georgia. However, Kentucky covers.

Score: Georgia 30, Kentucky 10

Zack Geoghegan

2009 was the last time Kentucky beat Georgia on the gridiron. I don’t see that streak ending in 2024. The Bulldogs are primed to make another run to a national championship. Kirby Smart’s team hasn’t lost a regular season game since 2020! After what we saw from Kentucky last week, it’s tough to make a good argument in favor of the Wildcats.

What I do expect to see, however, is a better performance from Kentucky than whatever the hell happened last week. It’s almost required — anything close to a repeat of the South Carolina game would seriously result in a loss so bad I don’t want to think about the final score. Hand the ball to Demie Sumo-Karngbaye all game long and see if he can keep the ‘Cats alive. Is that a recipe for success? Probably not, but there aren’t many tasty ones out there right now.

Georgia will likely win, but Kentucky — as it usually does against the Bulldogs under Mark Stoops — will find a way to keep it “close” and cover the spread.

Score: Georgia 35, Kentucky 13

Nick Roush

This Kentucky football team has been unpredictable. That’s why I’m going to zig when everything else is telling me to zag.

Carson Beck should be able to carve up the Kentucky secondary. The Georgia defense hasn’t allowed a touchdown in its last three games and they’re facing a Kentucky offense that looked lifeless at times in week two.

Despite the obvious disadvantages, my gut tells me Kentucky will play an A- game and score early. A Georgia miscue will set up another great chance, but the Cats will miss the opportunity and be forced to kick a field goal. Given an inch, the Dawgs will take a mile and eventually run away with the game.

Score: Georgia 31, Kentucky 13

Adam Luckett

Kentucky is reeling and must find answers on offense after a disastrous performance against South Carolina. Coverage busts are still an issue for the secondary. The special teams unit also didn’t play well last week. The Wildcats are back to the drawing board after an embarrassing performance and must figure out a team identity that can allow them to win football games.

Georgia knows its team identity and will score points on anyone once they decide to turn Carson Beck and this passing game loose. Expect the Bulldogs to find an early lead and then likely sit on that lead with a game against Alabama on the horizon.

Kentucky’s run defense will allow them to hang around, but the offense prevents the home team from making a real run at an upset. The Bulldogs get a two-possession lead in the first half and keeps Kentucky at arm’s length before ultimately extending that lead in the second half.

Score: Georgia 30, Kentucky 7

Tyler Thompson

Score: Georgia 34, Kentucky 10

Jack Pilgrim

Kentucky is down to two scholarship backs with Chip Trayanum and Jason Patterson both out while the passing game is non-existent and the offensive line continues to be a trainwreck. The Cats couldn’t find the end zone against a mediocre South Carolina team, so what does that say about their chances to do so against the best team in college football? As Jerry Tipton once eloquently said time and time again, it doesn’t bode well, folks.

The defense needs to tighten up on the key downs, but showed some juice against South Carolina. You can see a scenario where Brad White’s unit mucks things up for the Bulldogs to keep things interesting early, only for the cream to rise to the top in the second half to solidify the blowout. I just can’t trust this offense right now, especially when considering the inevitable butterflies coming for Brock Vandagriff facing his former team. If the Gamecocks had him rattled, a defense that hasn’t given up a touchdown since the SEC Championship last December could have him seeing ghosts.

Show me, don’t tell me, Cats. I am a blind optimist no more.

Score: Georgia 35, Kentucky 3

Kentucky vs. Georgia: How to Watch