5 Notes from Mark Stoops on the SEC Teleconference

We’ve already heard from Mark Stoops three times this week (Monday press conference, call-in show, last night after practice), but with Florida coming to town, there’s no such thing as too much coverage of his comments. Stoops took his turn on the SEC Teleconference this afternoon. Here are the five things you need to know.

Preparing for a Dan Mullen offense

Stoops kicked off his appearance with some kind words for Florida head coach Dan Mullen, whose offense features multiple quarterbacks in Emory Jones and Anthony Richardson and a powerful rushing attack in Malik Davis, Dameon Pierce, and Nay’Quan Wright.

“Really looking forward to a great challenge in playing another really good Florida team. I have great respect for Dan and the job that he does. I think when you look at defending him offensively, it’s always a real challenge. He has the ability to adapt to the players around him and really makes it difficult for you to get stops. They can get chunks and they also do a very good job of keeping you off-balance and moving the chains.” 

Another game with multiple Florida quarterbacks

Ever wonder why Kentucky fans are terrified of backup quarterbacks? Look no further than Florida’s last two trips to Lexington. In 2017, Luke Del Rio replaced Feleipe Franks late in the third quarter and brought the Gators back from 13 points down to win the game. In 2019, Kyle Trask came in to relieve an injured Franks and led THREE fourth-quarter touchdown drives to get the 29-21 victory, another gut punch to the BBN.

Both Emory Jones and Anthony Richardson will be available on Saturday. Are the Cats just cursed when it comes to facing multiple Florida quarterbacks?

“I don’t feel snake bit,” Stoops said. “You have to prepare all the time. It’s no different this year with Florida’s offense. Emory is fantastic and can beat you with his arm and his legs and looks more and more comfortable with every rep and then you look at Anthony Richardson. Again, you see unbelievably talented arm strength but you see a great big physical guy that can run around you or through you, so they have two quarterbacks to go to again this year.”

Don’t forget about the running backs

Florida’s quarterback situation steals the headlines, but the Gators’ rushing attack is pretty impressive. As Adam Luckett outlined yesterday, Malik Davis, Dameon Pierce, and Nay’Quan Wright have combined to record 560 yards on 91 attempts averaging 6.16 yards per rush. Florida leads the SEC in rushing yards (1,291), rushing yards per game (322.75), rushing touchdowns (13), and yards per rushing attempt (7.5). Kentucky is third in the SEC in rushing defense, limiting opponents to 87.5 yards on the ground per game, but Stoops knows his unit will have to step it up to contain the Gators.

“We’ve been effective at stopping the run but this is a different beast, that’s for sure. When you look at what they do with the quarterbacks in Emory and Anthony and the talented backs, Dan Mullen’s offense always starts with the physicality about it and it’s a physical team. And you add in their playmakers and it puts a lot of pressure on the defense.”

“Extremely happy that we’re 4-0 but not very happy with some of the play”

Kentucky is one of 26 undefeated teams left in college football, 16 in the Power Five conferences. Yet, the Cats have the worst turnover margin in the country, minus-nine. Stoops used turnovers as proof there is plenty of room for improvement, noting that if the offense doesn’t clean up its act, the Cats won’t beat Florida.

“I feel like we could be so much better in a lot of areas,” Stoops said. “Certainly, turnover margin is one that jumps out at us pretty clearly that we must improve on heading into this Florida game. Look at it a week ago. After the turnovers, the defense had some huge stops and turnovers on downs so proud of the defensive effort.

“And offensively, we’re just kind of shooting ourselves in the foot. There were some times I felt like we were in good control and the turnovers are certainly hurting us. Trying to get that stuff fixed up here this week because we have to for the Florida game.”

When asked how it feels to be undefeated so far, Stoops gave a quote that seems to sum up the season so far.

“Extremely happy that we’re 4-0 but not very happy with some of the play,” Stoops said. “We’re hitting a pretty tough stretch right here and we’ve got to continue to build on the good things we’re doing but we have to improve in certain areas if we want to try to compete with Florida.”

Chris Rodriguez’s success is no surprise to Stoops, BBN

Chris Rodriguez leads the SEC in rushing yards (513) and attempts (85). Longtime Arkansas beat writer Bob Holt joked that Rodriguez’s success this season makes the media who voted him Third Team Preseason All-SEC look pretty foolish. Stoops praised his star running back, but once again said he has to improve his ball security. Rodriguez has four fumbles this season, one lost (vs. Missouri).

“The year that he’s having right now does not surprise me one bit,” Stoops said. “As for the outside perception, really, I can’t control that. I think we play in a league with really talented players and he’s certainly one of them and is doing a lot of good things. He needs to take care of the football. It’s uncharacteristic of him to put the football on the ground a little bit more than usual so we’ve got to get that straightened out as well.”