Mark Stoops says plan is to redshirt kicker Jackson Smith

Jacob Noger | UK AthleticsKentucky kicker Matt Ruffolo is currently hitting a career-low 69.2% of his field goals, just 9-13 on the year. More recently, he’s just 2-5 in the Wildcats’ last three games, including two misses inside 50 yards. He missed each of his lone attempts in the team’s losses against Ole Miss (22-19 final) and South Carolina (24-14 final).

That comes after finishes of 76.9% (10-13) in 2021, 85.7% (12-14) in 2020 and 80% (4-5) in 2019.

Kentucky also has senior kicker Chance Poore on the roster, though he’s just 8-14 (57.1%) during his five years in Lexington. He’s now the team’s kick-off specialist and holder on field goals and PATs.

Elsewhere, though, the Wildcats signed…