Solid Blue fans greet team at airport after bowl win

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) — Some players and staff of the University of Kentucky’s football team returned to Lexington Wednesday afternoon following the squad’s VRBO Citrus Bowl win in Orlando New Year’s Day.

The charter plane arrived just after noon at Blue Grass Airport.

It was mostly staff, including Head Coach Mark Stoops, and family members, but some players also returned.

UK athletics says many players are staying in Orlando. The university is still on winter break.

About a dozen Solid Blue fans waited outside in a steady drizzle at the airport to welcome the team home.

Kayla Townsley has been a big solid blue fan all her life. Her family has season tickets.

She says she wishes she could have been at the game and since she couldn’t, she wanted to make sure to be there when the team got back.

“We were really excited we were jumping up and down in the house,” says Townsley talking about the big win. “Our dog she was running around she was scared to death, she didn’t know what was going on.”

Coach Stoops says he’s proud and grateful for Solid Blue Nation.

“Our team appreciates it we’ve had great support,” says Stoops. “We had an unbelievable atmosphere down there and Big Blue Nation showed up in full force.”

He also reflected on the past few days down in Orlando.

“It’s been a remarkable trip we had a really great experience,” says Stoops. “Really pleased with the outcome of the game, so it’s been a very good week and a lot of fun.”

He says he’s happy to be back in the Bluegrass.