Mark Stoops Excited for Opportunity to "Change the Narrative"

Mark Stoops at Kentucky football offseason workouts, via UK Athletics

Game week is here. Big Blue Nation is bubbling with excitement. We’ve spent so much time talking about what this Kentucky football team may be, and the time for talking is over.

“I think you all are ready to see a game. You’re tired of hearing me talk, and I’m tired of talking, quite honestly, very excited to get going,” Mark Stoops said at his first game week press conference of the season.

A lot of that talk hasn’t been positive. Even though Stoops says he doesn’t pay attention to all of the noise, he’s not naive. He knows people aren’t picking the Wildcats to win a lot of games. This Saturday, they get their first chance to prove people wrong against a “very good” Toledo team.

“I’m proud of this team and the work that we’ve done to get to this point, and it’s time to go tee it up. I’m glad game week is here. We have to go play some good football. If we want to change the narrative, then we have to go play well, and our performance will dictate what’s said about us. It’s time to tee it up and go play,” said Stoops.

The first game of the season is filled with uncertainty. Coaches think they know what they’re working with, but everything changes once those bright lights are turned on. Excitement, energy, and adrenaline will be running through players’ veins. He’s telling them to keep those emotions in check.

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“There have been games we’ve had in here where exploded in the first half and didn’t finish, and guys let their emotions get out of control, and things of that nature,” said Stoops.

“Those are all things that I will touch on with them. Handle the environment, handle this situation, and make sure we’re thoroughly prepared throughout this week, but also being consistent throughout the game. There’s going to be adversity in every game. How are we going to respond to that? Just try to be as consistent as we can for four quarters.”

Kentucky let go of the rope in 2024. The Wildcats gave the haters plenty of ammunition. Stoops has worked all offseason to flip that narrative. He believes he’s built a team that can succeed in the SEC trenches.

“I feel like we are a physical football team again,” said Stoops. “I hope we can go prove that. We will see.”