The Kentucky football team opened Saturday’s game with a moving tribute for one of its coaches. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

The Kentucky football team is mourning the loss of one of its coaches this week, and it opened Saturday’s game with a moving tribute.

Offensive line coach John Schlarman died at age 45 on Thursday after a battle with cancer. He was highly regarded as a coach and beloved by his players, who paid tribute to him with Saturday’s opening play.

The Wildcats lined up without a left guard for the first offensive play of their game against Vanderbilt. They opted to take a delay of game penalty, which Vanderbilt declined.

It’s been a difficult year-and-a-half for Kentucky football, which also lost one of its iconic players last year.

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