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What Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said about No. 17 Tennessee on Monday

IMG_3593by: Grant Ramey14 hours agoGrantRamey
z - Stoops _MG_0942
Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops watched from the sideline during Saturday's game against Texas at Kroger Field. (Jeff Drummond/Cats Illustrated)

What head coach Mark Stoops said during his weekly press conference on Monday, as Kentucky prepares to host No. 17 Tennessee Saturday night (7:45 p.m. Eastern Time, SEC Network) at Kroger Field in Lexington:

Opening Statement

“It was really a lot of mixed emotions after this past week, you know, really encouraged with the way our team played. Again, really set up well for us. I appreciate the fans and ex-players and so many people were around and excited about that game and encouraged with the way our kids played. And disappointed with the outcome. That’s what’s heartbreaking. Our fans deserve it, our players deserve it and our team has worked extremely hard to improve. And that I greatly appreciate. We need a different result, and we’re going to go back to work.

“We have another great opportunity here this week with Tennessee, and a team that’s playing very well. They had a tough loss in a big rivalry game this past week, and I’m sure they’re looking to bounce back and come in here and play us. But a very good football team, extremely explosive, averaging 44 points a game, No. 2 in the country. You know, typical Tennessee offense, very hard to defend, very fast. The quarterback’s playing at an exceptional level, three wide receivers and more, an abundance of receivers, but three that really stand out. Very good at the offensive line. And defensively, again, playing equally as good, very disruptive up front. Lead the SEC in sacks, very stout on the front level with the d-line and probably have one of the best players in the SEC at linebacker and playing good in the back end.

“So another great opportunity. Looking forward to getting back with our players today. Saw a good deal of them yesterday around the building and they’re in good spirits and ready to go back to work. So for me, it’s the same. Disappointed in the outcome, but very much enthusiastic about getting back to work here this week and encouraged to get around our players and continue to improve.”

Where Kentucky quarterback Cutter Boley has improved since playing South Carolina

“A number of things. I think he’s more comfortable in the pocket. He’s been doing a good job of working around there. And even under duress, he’s been delivering the football. And again, I was very encouraged by the completion percentage. When you can complete 80% against that type of defense under duress, that says a lot. It’s also encouraging because the receivers are stepping up and playing better as well. And a better plan, if you will, or doing some things to make sure we’re helping them in that area.”

Kentucky failing to score in the red zone

“I think that’s fair. And, you know, and again, I don’t have regret on play three and four (of overtime vs. Texas). When they don’t win, I mean, obviously, throw a fade or do something. Yeah, there are definitely things we could do. That’s fair. It’s fair criticism and I think we’re making strides in a lot of areas. That’s one where a lot of times you watch football, you watch it in the pro level, you watch it in college, you create one-on-ones and you win. And we have to give our kids good opportunities. I feel like our quarterback’s playing at a very high level right now. And so he places it in some spots where our guys maybe have an opportunity.”

Kentucky’s defensive strides vs. Texas

“Without a doubt. I mean we’ve come in here before on Mondays and have to address tackling issues and all those things. And what I always say, it’s team, it’s team defense. The one-on-one exposure popped its ugly head in the punt return game. They beat us in some one-on-ones. And so we play very good people. These are elite players. And they beat us in one-on-one in the punt returns. People are gonna say, what happened? What’d you do? It was a great punt. We had a guy right in front of him, we missed the tackle. And there’s things we could do better. There’s things we will address. We had been really good to that point. We had given up one punt return all year. And by the way, we played the number one punt return person in the country in South Carolina and held him to minus five yards. So we take pride in what we do there, too, and had done it very well. Wasn’t good enough in this game. No excuses, wasn’t good enough.

“But defensively, same thing. I felt like we did a lot of good things. And it comes down to team defense and in good position and guys swarming and feeding off the crowd and playing well. So, we played a good, I was very proud of the effort that they gave and the coaches did a great job of putting them in a good position.”

 Kentucky using tempo on offense 

“It’s just trying to change the pace, trying to spark the offense. We did run a heck of a lot of plays, which was really good and by the way, you’ve heard me talk about that for a long time, too. Like as we get more plays, people get more touches, right? Tight ends are touching the ball, the backs touch the ball, receivers are touching the ball. So if we can get more plays we look at all options. I mean, obviously this week a little different with how fast Tennessee to see plays, but if we could use a change of pace, we will.”

If Kentucky’s defense has been more aggressive in recent games 

“No, not really. But I don’t have the exact numbers. There may have been a few more pressures in there, but the simulateds, the pressures, the mix-ups, maybe a touch more in that game. But not drastically, I wouldn’t say … the defensive line played better, but the simulateds were effective, you know? Your idea of pressure and mine may be different. Coach did a really good job, Brad (White) did a very good job. We went straight man. We did some eyes coverage where we’re bringing pressure zone underneath. And then we’ve done some simulateds where it appears that you’re bringing pressure and you’re only bringing four. So we did bring in that game of simulated with different varieties of four, five and six. So we mixed it up pretty good and it was effective.” 

If it’s harder to do that against an offense like Tennessee

“Tennessee is a bit more conventional with their splits this year, but still get wide at times. And they do an exceptional job with — the quarterback is playing at a super high level. The arm strength, and their receivers could really put a lot of pressure on you. They win one-on-ones a lot. And they do a great job of mixing it up. With Josh and his offenses, we’ve talked about it here because we play them so much, but people that don’t realize how effective they are in the run game. And this year they’re rushing for 200 yards a game, throwing for 300. I believe they’re actually throwing it better than they have in some time. And that’s saying a lot because they generally throw it very well. But this year, I feel like they’re even taking it to another level with their passing game.” 

Tennessee having three receivers in the top 10 in the SEC in receiving yards

“It’s a challenge. I mean, I just alluded to it with my last question there. But they’re playing at a really high level. They really are. Three very good receivers, one freshman and two older guys, and they’re really, They really get out of their breaks. They put a ton of pressure on you with their speed and with other big-play capability. But then they shut it down and the quarterback delivers it so they can get it there in a hurry.” 

Tennessee’s defense, how it compares to Texas and what kind of challenge it will be for Kentucky

“Well, I wouldn’t say schematically (they’re the same). They’re good, they’re sound, but they play really hard. They play really good. It starts with their guys up front being very disruptive. Both sides of the line of scrimmage, they’re really playing at a high level. They’re elite. They’re very good players on their O-line and their D-line. And then they’re aggressive, when they score a lot of points like that, they’re aggressive and they do a good job with takeaways as well. So they’re playing good. 

Kentucky wide receivers feeding off of each other, and the same being the case for other positions, when things are going well

“It has to do with us performing at a better level, right? If it’s more first downs, you get more plays, more touches. And so I think, yes, Cutter (Boley is) doing a very good job … we moved the ball very efficiently. Obviously we need to be better in the red zone. And the short yards on the first possession and the goal line. But we are moving the ball much better and getting more plays. Therefore, there’s going to be people getting more touches.”

Feeling good about how Kentucky executed late in the first half and at the end of regulation against Texas

“Yeah, very, very much so. We’ve been efficient in the two-minute drill. I think Cutter’s doing a very good job, as I mentioned earlier. I think he’s just had a good feel for it, making quick decisions, guys making some plays. I think Seth (McGowan) was dynamic with the check down, getting us started. So a variety of things.”