WATCH: Mark Stoops Recaps Auburn Win, Looks Ahead to Florida

Auburn and Florida had different head coaches when the season started. Don’t be fooled by the records. Mark Stoops is still proud of the way his Kentucky football team played against the Tigers, and he anticipates another challenge when the Gators come to Lexington this Saturday.

“Proud of our team, it was a very good victory for us. Not an easy place to go play. With them last week and playing Florida this week, people look at the records and think they are not very good football teams. They are,” said Stoops.

“They’ve recruited well for a long time. Hugh (Freeze) has done a really good job, and it’s a good win for us. It was two teams that played extremely hard, that were doing anything we could to get a victory and proud of our players for pulling that out.

“It’s the same thing this week, playing Florida. I know Billy’s not there, but Billy’s assembled a very good football team, very talented, a very physical, good team, and it’ll be another great challenge for us and another opportunity.”

Florida nearly won its first game without Napier on the sideline. They had Georgia on the ropes and led for most of the fourth quarter, but couldn’t pull off an upset in the World’s Largest Cocktail Party.

This will be the first time Florida has played in Lexington in November since 1990. After Craig Skinner called Kentucky fans into action by standing on a table, Stoops had a more subtle way of asking fans to show up, by acknowledging the atmosphere at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

“I was completely impressed with their environment, during a tough year, and absolutely packed and as loud as just about any of the places we play; just an amazing environment during a difficult season. Credit to them. What a great atmosphere, and again, a very hard-fought victory for our team and proud of them and proud of our coaches,” said Stoops.

“Small victories for us. We’ve been getting better, doing some good things, and hopefully we’ll build on that. And that’s what we’re looking for. We’re looking for improvement again this week, and a steady week of preparation, and get prepared for another great game.”

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