Hello HOB. Back over at Kroger Field for Mark Stoops’ weekly press luncheon today. He’ll be joining us at Noon ET to review UK’s win at Mississippi State and discuss the Cats’ first matchup with Alabama in Lexington since 2013. Stay tuned for the latest news and notes…
MARK STOOPS Q&A:
* Alabama is a team you can tell is getting better and better week by week. You can see some serious improvement with the Tide. It’s going to take a total team effort to compete.
* Mostly healthy for this game. Typical bumps and bruises. We’ll see where we’re at. Won’t comment much on Leary, just to reiterate that it was an eye/vision issue at MSU. He does add, however, that Leary can read the wristband clearly now. No lingering issue.
* Alabama, like most great teams, has that combination of physicality and speed. ”Their QB is a monster, and great speed outside.” You have to be able to win one-on-ones with those guys. Milroe is improving a lot. Throws a nice deep ball. Asked if the defense should be excited about a matchup like that, Stoops laughs and says, “We better.”
* On the play where JuTahn McClain was hurt at MSU… saw the video on the play. ”Obviously, very alarmed by that... You never want to see a young man hurt, let alone when the ball is not in play.” They sent something to the league on it.
* On getting the run game going… It was more efficient after he looked at it on film than when he commented about it on the postgame. “It wasn’t as bad as I felt after the game.” But still too many drives starting with 1 or 0 on first down.
* On Kevin Steele’s Alabama defense… You see a lot of the Coach Saban staples in what he does. Very multiple. Mix up looks. Physical. Some subtle things with leverage that not everybody see.
* JQ Hardaway is a guy they need to bring along. He’s getting more snaps, “doing good.”
* Just announced that Ty Bryant is SEC co-Freshman of the Week.
* Tavion Gadson is a guy they’ve been patient with after undergoing two shoulder surgeries, but good to see him get in the MSU game and make a couple of plays.
* Defense got a shot of confidence after holding MSU to just a FG on the 20-play drive. Didn’t like the things they did to allow the drive, but it kinda underscored the team’s toughness and resilience.
* On having the 5 OL they intended to go into the season with… Still not playing up to their own standard. Need to be more consistent than they have shown. All elements of their line play needs to be better. Some inexcusable stuff at MSU, bad communication at times. They rep this stuff too much to allow that to happen.
* Stoops sighs when I ask him about tempo and plays per game… Says there is definitely more room for improvement there, especially in getting plays called and getting to the line of scrimmage quicker. Sounds like it’s bothering him.
* On being longest-tenured SEC coach alongside Saban… Fortunate. Does not take it for granted. But this week just trying to figure out a way to beat him.
* On TE involvement… Plays is a big part of it. Showed vs. Tennessee that they’ll be involved if they get 24 first downs and keep the chains moving.
* Ty Bryant continues to be very solid, very consistent. A lot of young guys — and even older ones — can learn from his example. Maybe picked up some extra maturity in playing that extra year of HS football from Covid.
* Zion played well last week. Not perfect, but reliable.
UPDATED UK DEPTH CHART:
*****
*****
MARK STOOPS Q&A:
* Alabama is a team you can tell is getting better and better week by week. You can see some serious improvement with the Tide. It’s going to take a total team effort to compete.
* Mostly healthy for this game. Typical bumps and bruises. We’ll see where we’re at. Won’t comment much on Leary, just to reiterate that it was an eye/vision issue at MSU. He does add, however, that Leary can read the wristband clearly now. No lingering issue.
* Alabama, like most great teams, has that combination of physicality and speed. ”Their QB is a monster, and great speed outside.” You have to be able to win one-on-ones with those guys. Milroe is improving a lot. Throws a nice deep ball. Asked if the defense should be excited about a matchup like that, Stoops laughs and says, “We better.”
* On the play where JuTahn McClain was hurt at MSU… saw the video on the play. ”Obviously, very alarmed by that... You never want to see a young man hurt, let alone when the ball is not in play.” They sent something to the league on it.
* On getting the run game going… It was more efficient after he looked at it on film than when he commented about it on the postgame. “It wasn’t as bad as I felt after the game.” But still too many drives starting with 1 or 0 on first down.
* On Kevin Steele’s Alabama defense… You see a lot of the Coach Saban staples in what he does. Very multiple. Mix up looks. Physical. Some subtle things with leverage that not everybody see.
* JQ Hardaway is a guy they need to bring along. He’s getting more snaps, “doing good.”
* Just announced that Ty Bryant is SEC co-Freshman of the Week.
* Tavion Gadson is a guy they’ve been patient with after undergoing two shoulder surgeries, but good to see him get in the MSU game and make a couple of plays.
* Defense got a shot of confidence after holding MSU to just a FG on the 20-play drive. Didn’t like the things they did to allow the drive, but it kinda underscored the team’s toughness and resilience.
* On having the 5 OL they intended to go into the season with… Still not playing up to their own standard. Need to be more consistent than they have shown. All elements of their line play needs to be better. Some inexcusable stuff at MSU, bad communication at times. They rep this stuff too much to allow that to happen.
* Stoops sighs when I ask him about tempo and plays per game… Says there is definitely more room for improvement there, especially in getting plays called and getting to the line of scrimmage quicker. Sounds like it’s bothering him.
* On being longest-tenured SEC coach alongside Saban… Fortunate. Does not take it for granted. But this week just trying to figure out a way to beat him.
* On TE involvement… Plays is a big part of it. Showed vs. Tennessee that they’ll be involved if they get 24 first downs and keep the chains moving.
* Ty Bryant continues to be very solid, very consistent. A lot of young guys — and even older ones — can learn from his example. Maybe picked up some extra maturity in playing that extra year of HS football from Covid.
* Zion played well last week. Not perfect, but reliable.
UPDATED UK DEPTH CHART:
*****
*****
