Stoops on starting fast, adversity, and getting better

Still perfect in the standings, Kentucky Football was anything but perfect in its first four wins of the season. After one of those wins, the Week 3 victory versus Akron in Lexington, Mark Stoops said in his postgame press conference, “Another game where we win by 30 and I am pissed off.”

Stoops was not pissed off following the Wildcats’ win over Florida on Saturday. We know that to be true because he was asked directly in the postgame press conference, to which he replied, “I am not pissed today,” with a big smile.

It’s hard to be upset after beating Florida for a third straight year, only the second time the University of Kentucky has held a three-game streak in the series since 1949-51. Winning by 19 points meant Stoops’ team turned a big corner after the imperfect start to the season.

“I knew we were getting really close to playing some really good football,” he said after Kentucky moved to 5-0 with a second league win. “And I think our team has felt the exact same. We had an opportunity today on a big stage against a big rival, to put it together and play well. We were at home, a great crowd, great atmosphere, and I really did love the fact we started so strong and both sides of the ball.”

The Wildcats’ strong start put them ahead 23-0 in the first half before Florida tried to make it a game in the second. The Gators got within 16 a couple of times, but Kentucky always had a response.

“But you know what? A little adversity is good for a team,” Stoops told KSR. “You know what I mean? It introduces a man to himself and a team to themselves. Some adversity is OK. You’ve got to learn from it. You’ve got to grow.”

He recalled telling his team, “nobody panic,” when Florida closed the gap with a late first-half touchdown. Kentucky struck right back with a touchdown on the opening drive out of halftime.

“I thought it set the tone for the whole second half.”

Fast start for the fans

Long before the second-half tone was set, the Big Blue Nation set the tone for the entire day. Kentucky fans were up early to “pound beers,” as Mark Stoops said earlier in the week, and it made for an energetic atmosphere around the stadium.

On the field, the team responded with that aforementioned strong start to the game, going up by more than three touchdowns early. Mark Stoops said the Wildcats had to start fast after the fans answered the bell.

Asked about that “up early to pound beers” comment, Stoops replied, “I had to start fast because I asked them to start fast this morning. I think they did. I hope they behaved well, or Mitch will give me a scolding.”

No scoldings at 5-0, and getting better each week.