Highlights from the Mark Stoops post-game presser following the 44-35 loss to Southern Mississippi in Lexington:

The Wildcats built a 35-17 lead at halftime — before being outscored 27-0 in the second half.

Though this certainly wasn’t the start Stoops and the upstart Wildcats were hoping for, the head coach is calling on the fan base to support the program.

Stoops also feels as if this loss may be damaging long-term when it comes to recruiting.