Mark Stoops comments on Kentucky's narrow road win at South Carolina
Mark Stoops and the Kentucky Wildcats are 4-0 and 2-0 in SEC play, but these past 2 games haven’t been easy against FCS Chattanooga and at South Carolina on Saturday night.
But, wins are wins, and even with the Wildcats’ struggles, they’ll head back to Lexington with a perfect record with big smiles on their faces.
However, Stoops wasn’t exactly thrilled with his team after losing the turnover battle 3-0 to the Gamecocks in the 16-10 victory.
Here’s some of what the Kentucky coach said after the game in his press conference:
On winning an SEC road game:
Mark Stoops presser under way…
"Any time you win an SEC game on the road, it's a good thing, but we didn't make it easy." Noted that his heart rate is up and the blood pressure is probably high again this week.
— Jeff Drummond (@JDrumUK) September 26, 2021
On Chris Rodriguez’s fumbling issues:
Stoops asked about Chris Rodriguez's ball-security issues: It's unacceptable, and he's played too much football for us to do that. But they relied on him at the end and went back to him. "Only thing I can say is we can't make excuses, we've got to go back to work and correct it."
— Jeff Drummond (@JDrumUK) September 26, 2021
On rush defense and open-field tackling:
Stoops praised the open-field tackling tonight. Noted that young DB Jalen Geiger really stepped up and did some nice things in his return home for this game.
— Jeff Drummond (@JDrumUK) September 26, 2021
On becoming Kentucky’s all-time leader in SEC victories:
Stoops on passing Fran Curci for the most SEC wins by a UK coach in program history:
“I’m grateful, it’s always a tough grind in this league…it’s been a team effort.”
— Kernel Sports (@KYKernelSports) September 26, 2021
Kentucky has a huge home game against Florida next weekend. We’ll see if the Wildcats can take a step toward being a top-2 team in the SEC East in that big-time contest.
Good win. They don’t draw pictures on the score card take your win and move on.
Spoken like a fellow golfer.
Kentucky wins the games they win when they play their brand of football. If defense plays at that same level and the O Line could hold up just a little bit longer for Levis then this team could really take off.
Someone overweight like Mark should watch his blood pressure.
His team will unironically give him a heart attack.
You calling my coach fat?! Well, yeah he is. I think he’s gained some weight for sure. He recently got divorced so probably stress eating.
More like beer drinking, stress or not.
They may give me one, too.
Kentucky is slightly over-rated and needs more help from the officiating. But at the same time Kentucky is hanging in there and escaping with wins so we will see what happens next. South Carolina was over due to have a good day, I think they are well coached. The SEC race is just beginning, don’t assume the favorites will stay the same all season.
I’d prefer we just keep getting our wins like we are, without the help of the refs.
If we are “slightly over-rated” then what is Mizzou and your genius Drinkwitz? If we are over-rated that y’all are off the charts. We are rated 34th or so, which is about right until we prove it, which we haven’t done yet. In your opinion, that I read all winter, Mizzou is better than the Cats and knocking on UF and UGA’s door.. Beamer may become a very good coach and has brought a lot of energy to USC but going for it on 4th and 5 down 6 in the 4Q is a knuckle headed move. Are you saying you are a bookmaker and an analyst of coaching IQ when you are not grading referees? BTW, it hasn’t been pretty but we are what our record says we are.. 4 and 0.
Beamer waited until it was a two-score game to do the fga. But then it was too late to catch up. Had he respected our defense more he would have likely gone for the points, instead. On the other hand, it is easier to respect the defense after-the-fact, than when you are testing it.
This is why Mizzou fans are the most delusional on SDS. They get bullied by Kentucky 9 out of 10 years and can’t admit it. Loser
When is that good day going to show up?
Correction: The defense is well coached.
I’d say it is a safe bet Mizzou won’t be the favorite much.
Geiger really stepped up tonight. Good to see it.
Geiger was impressive and helped make a huge difference on an ugly night. He brought the defense from an unexpected source and may have made us winners. Props to him and the defense.
Some of the younger dudes are starting to impress.
The Kentucky run defense on 3rd and 4th down was dominant. That’s what won the game. (In spite of all of the turnovers).
Won’t work against Florida, unless we stop the turnovers.