Ad Disclosure
Here’s what Mark Stoops said during his Week 2 press conference Monday following Kentucky’s 44-35 loss to Southern Miss.
Stoops wants to see improvement on third downs. On Saturday, the Wildcats went 3 of 9 on third down possessions.
In second half, it came down to third downs, Mark Stoops said. “We cannot get milked in the run game."
— Jen Smith (@ByJenSmith) September 5, 2016
Stoops said game came down to third downs, losing a lot of one-on-one battles.
— Jeff Drummond (@JDrumUK) September 5, 2016
Stoops also wants Kentucky to improve its time of possession. Southern Miss held a 40:32-19:28 advantage in Week 1.
Stoops: We had 10 possessions of under 3 plays, many of them scoring drives in first half. A lot of time for D to be on field.
— Jeff Drummond (@JDrumUK) September 5, 2016
Stoops still has faith in his team despite Saturday’s loss. He wants the Wildcats to make the most of their opportunities and correct their mistakes moving forward.
Stoops: 'I promise you this is a good football team. When things go wrong, we have to execute. We talk about it constantly.'
— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) September 5, 2016
Stoops: Thing we have to do, when things go wrong, we have to go back and execute. Can't let it get out of control like it did Saturday.
— Jeff Drummond (@JDrumUK) September 5, 2016
On the TD before the half, Stoops said it was a missed assignment and then one player tried to make up for another.
— Jen Smith (@ByJenSmith) September 5, 2016
Stoops: 'When stuff goes haywire you have to go back to your technique. It starts w/ me. A lot of good things happening. Need consistency.'
— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) September 5, 2016
Stoops: "The last thing to do in this program is to find ways to make winning plays."
— Vaughts' Views (@vaughtsviews) September 5, 2016
Stoops wants Kentucky to put Saturday’s loss behind it and focus on a big game at Florida.
Stoops: Don't believe it will be difficult at all to get them back on point, focused for Florida.
— Jeff Drummond (@JDrumUK) September 5, 2016
Stoops wishes he could have "buried this game Sunday" but had to give players a day off
— Vaughts' Views (@vaughtsviews) September 5, 2016
Stoops: 'Win over Florida would mean a lot for this program. I think our players will respond and play well.'
— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) September 5, 2016
Stoops says Florida, with new QB, getting rid of ball quicker, playing smart, efficient.
— Jeff Drummond (@JDrumUK) September 5, 2016
On youth being a defensive problem: “Nobody wants to hear that anymore,” Stoops said. “Neither do I."
— Jen Smith (@ByJenSmith) September 5, 2016
Stoops said Kentucky’s lack of depth was an issue. Several defensive players stayed on the field longer than he anticipated on Saturday.
Depth is an issue on defense, Stoops said.
— Jen Smith (@ByJenSmith) September 5, 2016
Stoops says he thinks DT Matt Elam was in the 70-80 snap range on Saturday. Too high. Need to utilize more depth.
— Jeff Drummond (@JDrumUK) September 5, 2016
LB Courtney Love played all 96 defensive snaps
— Vaughts' Views (@vaughtsviews) September 5, 2016
Will depth get better? Stoops said they need to get more game reps for players, not just practice reps. They’ll work on that.
— Jen Smith (@ByJenSmith) September 5, 2016
Stoops updated the statuses of Blake McClain and Josh Allen.
Mark Stoops said UK believes it will have Blake McClain back, but he won’t practice today.
— Jen Smith (@ByJenSmith) September 5, 2016
LB Josh Allen injured, but Stoops said it’s too early to tell if he’ll play.
— Jen Smith (@ByJenSmith) September 5, 2016
Jason covers SEC football for Saturday Down South.
