Mark Stoops talks Tennessee, Hendon Hooker on SEC Teleconference

After a much-needed bye week, Mark Stoops is feeling good about his team; however, the challenge ahead of the Cats is a big one. On today’s SEC Teleconference, Stoops fielded questions about No. 3 Tennessee’s unique offense and how his team will try to contain it. He also weighed in on which is more important to the Big Blue Nation, the Tennessee game or the Louisville game, and how much better he’s feeling about his squad now that Chris Rodriguez is back on the field.

Listen to the complete call below or keep scrolling for a transcript.

Watch the latest Mark Stoops press conference on the KSR YouTube Channel.

Opening Statement…

It’s been a good week of preparation so far. I think the bye week came at a good time for us. We had a lot of guys that needed some rest and obviously you need to be at 100%, you need to have your legs up underneath you and be able to play fast to keep up with a team that is playing as well as Tennessee is right now. So, we know it’ll be a very big challenge. Going on the road in a loud and hostile environment against a team that is playing exceptionally well. Very well coached in all areas and playing very fast.

And so we’ve had a good week and a half or so. Last week, we spent time working on ourselves and trying to get better in the areas where we’re falling short, trying to improve and continue the areas where we’re playing well. And then also take some time on Tennessee. Again, we’ve had a good week so far and looking forward to finishing up this prep and getting on the road, and heading down there for a big SEC game.

On whether he hears more from fans about the Tennessee game or the Louisville game…

Yeah, I think just because of where we’re located, of course, you hear more about Louisville. We live in the same state, an hour away, so you know, I think that’s just definitely something that you hear more about.

On this being the third time in the Kentucky-Tennessee series history and the first time in 71 years that both teams are ranked…

It does surprise me that it’s been 71 years and yeah, hopefully, we’ll both continue to be ranked as we’re playing. I think for myself, it’s just taking care of my own backyard and our own program and trying to continue to improve. And we all know that you’re gonna go through some adversity and through some ups and downs through seasons and you have to be able to pull yourself out of them. So, that’s my concentration.

On what impresses him most about Hendon Hooker…

I think there’s quite a few things. I think he makes really fast decisions. Obviously, he’s playing so well. But you know, I think if there’s any other one thing I think we all know he is accurate because of his completion percentage, but I think it’s really impressive how accurate he is on deep throws.

On how relevant time of possession is when you play Tennessee…

Yeah, I think last year is a perfect example of you know, it’s not the end-all-be-all. I mean it never is. I mean, we are a methodical team anyway. All you’ve got to do is look at the statistics, not only when we play Tennessee but when we play anybody. So that’s just kind of who we are. It’s our style. And then theirs of course is the complete opposite. And I think they’re just playing really good football. It’s not only their tempo. That’s just one factor. And so, I would say time of possession is important in this regard: we can’t go three-and-out and we can’t not be successful on third down to be successful in this game.

On how he believes Josh Heupel has evolved as a head coach…

I’m not sure I’m prepared to answer that. I mean, I only face him once a year and didn’t compete against him when he was at Central Florida. But I could go back to when he was a coordinator at Missouri and competed against him there, but you know, always difficult to defend. Has been since the times I played against him. Obviously, he’s having a terrific year and you could see the improvement he made immediately with them last year. So just, you know, from a person watching him from a distance and of course being in our league and seeing a lot of tape, on all sides, just a very good football team and he’s done a really good job, so deserves all the credit that he’s getting right now.

On whether or not he feels more confident in his team now that Chris Rodriguez is back and the offensive line has gained more experience…

Certainly, the last time out we were more efficient and were able to kind of be who we are. We need to be able to run the ball and have balance in our offense. And Chris really played very well this past game, along with our offensive line. Probably the most consistent they’ve been so hopefully, we can continue to build on that.

On how well he believes his offensive and defensive lines have performed…

You know, it’s just like a lot of our team, they’re inconsistent. We had time during the bye, this is the one and only time during the year we maybe get some time to self-evaluate and take a good look at yourself. And we’ve done some very good things at times, but we’ve underperformed as well. So I think consistency is the key and we need to continue to improve here.

On how Tennessee’s offense spreads you out sideline to sideline…

Well, it puts stress on you in different ways. It gives them space both in the run game and in the pass game. So, you’re so far removed with the overlap players and the secondary run support that if they do pop some long runs, you got some guys that are kind of removed from the equation just by the splits. And then in the pass game, they do a very good job of creating space and finding some green grass and some big windows for the quarterback and with their switch releases and things of getting people off press and getting hands off of them so they can really run and play fast.