WATCH: Mark Stoops has Kentucky Prepared for Everything vs. ULM

Mark Stoops took the podium one final time before the Kentucky Wildcats kick off the season Saturday afternoon at Kroger Field against the ULM Warhawks. Unsure of exactly what to expect, Kentucky is prepared for just about anything ULM can roll out onto the field.

“In any opener you have to be prepared for the unknown,” he said Thursday afternoon. “People have a long time to run different plays, different formations, different fronts. That’s just common for us to try to be prepared for all things. It’s a new staff with the opening game. We have a lot of film from the history of these guys, but I’d be crazy to think that there would not be new wrinkles.”

Terry Bowden has been more tight-lipped than most coaches. It’s nothing new to see a football coach withhold a depth chart. Bowden hasn’t even updated his roster after adding 62 transfers this offseason.

“It doesn’t matter to me. We’re going to be prepared,” said Mark Stoops. “It doesn’t mean we’re going to be perfect. I’m sure we’ll make mistakes in this game, but we’re going to be make em going fast.”

Eye in the Sky

Liam Coen will be calling plays from the sideline Saturday. Mark Stoops will be listening closely to make sure the Cats are operating smoothly. On the other end of Coen’s headset will be Scott Woodward. Known by the staff simply as “Woody,” Coen’s old backup quarterback will provide a trustworthy, birds-eye perspective of how the play is unfolding down on the field.

“He has some experience with Liam and this offense, and they think a lot alike,” Stoops said. “That was the idea with the big-picture ideas to get some eyes upstairs and help in that area.”

Salute to Josh Paschal

Josh Paschal was elected team captain for the third straight season, a first by a Kentucky Wildcat. Mark Stoops applauded the defensive end that gives everything ‘for the team.’

“He truly empties his tank everyday. If there’s any one thing it’s that there’s time where it’s rehab and he needs to slow down,” Stoops said with a sheepish grin. “I better keep my eye on him between now and Saturday to make sure he doesn’t get some extra workouts in. That’s just how he is. He’s an amazing human being. He really is.”