A.J. Rose - SEC Photo
Kentucky running back A.J. Rose knew there was a special inspiration with him at the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl when he ran for 148 yards on 12 carries and was named UK’s most valuable player.
“(Former offensive line coach) John (Schlarman) was definitely looking down on us. Coach Schlar definitely inspired us all,” said Rose after the 23-21 victory over North Carolina State.
Kentucky ran for 281 yards behind the Big Blue Wall — the UK offensive line that Schlarman built before his death midway of the season after a two-plus year battle with cancer.
“I’m definitely blessed to be here and participate in this bowl game again. My first bowl game (was) here (in Jacksonville), we lost, but it was a different outcome this time. (The) offensive line did a great job today. They was moving people all around all day. Give credit to all five of those guys,” Rose said.
Kentucky’s offensive line was superb — again. That’s part of the legacy Schlarman left and every player, not just Rose, made sure to mention the former coach along with injured teammate Chris Oats after the win.
But it was also nice to see Rose go out on such a high if this was his last college game. He’s a fifty-year senior but indicated this might not have been his last college game.
“It was really big and I was really happy for him. I’m really proud of A.J. Just like a lot of our players, if you’re around here for four years, for five years, you’re going to go through some ups and some downs. He certainly has, but he’s been there,” Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said.
“He’s been consistent, he has a wonderful family (and) he was the MVP of the game. (I’m) just really happy for him, really proud of him. He’s been here for a long time and he’s helped us win a lot of games.
“Again, you’re going to get criticism, you’re going to get people coming at you and talking about other people, but he just kind of always stuck to himself and worried about his game and his self, and happy that he went out that way.”
Rose now has 1,971 career rushing yards, 10th place in school history. Like his teammates, he never thought of not playing in the bowl game.
“It just shows the type of guys that get recruited here. They come here and they stick to the program and they stick to where this program wants to go. Five straight bowl games since I’ve been here, it’s only been on the up,” Rose said after the game
“I feel like coach Stoops has done an amazing job. The whole coaching staff (is) recruiting players that want to go here and just want to contribute to this team. I feel like, throughout it all, this was a great win and I’m ecstatic right now. I can’t even put it into words.”
