WATCH: Mark Stoops discusses Kentucky's first bye week

CR3_9501.CR3 — Kentucky Wildcats Head Coach Mark Stoops. UK Football vs. Eastern Michigan at Kroger Field on Saturday, September 13, 2025 in Lexington, Kentucky. Photo by Crawford Ifland, Kentucky Sports Radio.

The first off week has come early for the Kentucky football program in 2025. Due to how the season fits on the calendar from Labor Day weekend to Thanksgiving weekend this season, all college football program will get two off weeks. Kentucky is using this time to practice hard.

Instead of taking some time to heal and rest up before beginning the SEC grind, Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops has tinkered with his program’s bye week routine in 2025. The Cats are getting physical and doing plenty of “good on good” during the off week.

“Been a really good start to the week. Been very pleased with the players and how attentive they’ve been. Very much practicing with an intent to improve and I appreciate that,” Mark Stoops explained. “We needed to have a really good day today and had a good, physical practice. Felt like we’re making some improvements.”

The dean of SEC head coaches spoke with the media on Wednesday for 10 minutes to discuss bye week prep, how Kentucky must improve on defense, and where Cutter Boley sits after his second career start. Smash that play button.

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