We're scheduled to have a zoom video conference with Mark Stoops and the Cats at approx 7 ET tonight. Stay tuned...
KENTUCKY HEAD COACH MARK STOOPS Q&A:
* Stoops says it's an honor to be back in the Citrus Bowl, "had a fantastic experience the last time we were there." Obviously, Iowa is a team very close to his heart and the Stoops family. Tremendous respect for Coach Ferentz and the entire program.
* It's hard to put into words what the Iowa program has meant to the Stoops family, he says, with three of the brothers playing there. Remembers those road trips with his dad to see his brothers play every weekend. Iowa "helped shape what we became."
* On what he remembers of Kirk Ferentz from his time there... Kinda what you see now. Impressive man. Impressive coach. Stability. He was OL coach when Stoops played there. You could tell he was going to be successful all the way back then, Stoops says.
* Stoops says he's out recruiting right now. Asked what it means when he's recruiting to tell players they're in a New Year's Day bowl, Stoops says it really helps when you're trying to sell the program.
* On his contract extension coming off the big win over Louisville... UK means everything to me, Stoops says. It's where I've been the last 9 years around unbelievable people and players. "It's been a really good marriage between the university and myself." Feels proud of what they've done and what they can still do.
* On how he would describe his play at Iowa... Stoops laughs and says he might break out some clips during bowl prep for the players to get a good kick out of. The knees were a little better back then, too. His career there led to an early knee replacement.
* On what emotions will be like playing Iowa.... Fresh in his mind right now. Too busy to think about, but he's sure it will be a "different" feeling than other games. Notes that his father has an Iowa jersey in his casket.
* When Stoops' father passed, the Iowa staff took a plane during the season (with a Michigan matchup awaiting) to go to the services.
KENTUCKY OL LUKE FORTNER Q&A:
* Fortner says he had a great experience during the last trip to Orlando for the Citrus Bowl. Hopes it's that fun again.
* Thinks there will be a lot of pride between the O-Lines in this game. He's watched Iowa center Tyler Linderbaum play before, thinks the Big Ten OL of The Year is a great player.
* On what it would mean to go out with a win... It would be big on a number of levels, Fortner said. Forr him, personally, he didn't get to play in the last Citrus Bowl, so he wants to be part of the winning effort this time.
* Asked about Eric Wolford and the job he's done stepping in for John Schlarman... Has done an incredible job, especially considering the circumstances of losing coach Schlarman and having a new offensive scheme. He just does his work behind the scenes and doesn't mind that he doesn't get talked about a lot.
* Cats learned a lot about how to approach a bowl game since that first Gator Bowl in 2016, Fortner said. They've gotten better at managing it, and it has helped them come away with victories in the last three.
* On what it would mean to give Stoops an emotional win vs. Iowa... Knows it would be big. Want to end the season on that note for Coach Stoops. "He works his butt off for us, to be able to reward him with that win would be really big for us."
KENTUCKY LB DEANDRE SQUARE Q&A:
* Square is excited to be going back to Orlando. The Penn State win in 2019 was his first college start.
* On his decision to come back... Tough call, he says. Hasn't made up his mind.
* These next two or three weeks are important to get right mentally and physically after a long, grueling season, Square said.
* Players really want to enjoy their last time they get to spend with Coach Sumrall. They're all happy for his opportunity at Troy, but they're all going to miss him, too.
* DeAndre showing off his collection of posters from Marvel and other movies/shows he enjoys. Has the whole room covered with them.
KENTUCKY HEAD COACH MARK STOOPS Q&A:
* Stoops says it's an honor to be back in the Citrus Bowl, "had a fantastic experience the last time we were there." Obviously, Iowa is a team very close to his heart and the Stoops family. Tremendous respect for Coach Ferentz and the entire program.
* It's hard to put into words what the Iowa program has meant to the Stoops family, he says, with three of the brothers playing there. Remembers those road trips with his dad to see his brothers play every weekend. Iowa "helped shape what we became."
* On what he remembers of Kirk Ferentz from his time there... Kinda what you see now. Impressive man. Impressive coach. Stability. He was OL coach when Stoops played there. You could tell he was going to be successful all the way back then, Stoops says.
* Stoops says he's out recruiting right now. Asked what it means when he's recruiting to tell players they're in a New Year's Day bowl, Stoops says it really helps when you're trying to sell the program.
* On his contract extension coming off the big win over Louisville... UK means everything to me, Stoops says. It's where I've been the last 9 years around unbelievable people and players. "It's been a really good marriage between the university and myself." Feels proud of what they've done and what they can still do.
* On how he would describe his play at Iowa... Stoops laughs and says he might break out some clips during bowl prep for the players to get a good kick out of. The knees were a little better back then, too. His career there led to an early knee replacement.
* On what emotions will be like playing Iowa.... Fresh in his mind right now. Too busy to think about, but he's sure it will be a "different" feeling than other games. Notes that his father has an Iowa jersey in his casket.
* When Stoops' father passed, the Iowa staff took a plane during the season (with a Michigan matchup awaiting) to go to the services.
KENTUCKY OL LUKE FORTNER Q&A:
* Fortner says he had a great experience during the last trip to Orlando for the Citrus Bowl. Hopes it's that fun again.
* Thinks there will be a lot of pride between the O-Lines in this game. He's watched Iowa center Tyler Linderbaum play before, thinks the Big Ten OL of The Year is a great player.
* On what it would mean to go out with a win... It would be big on a number of levels, Fortner said. Forr him, personally, he didn't get to play in the last Citrus Bowl, so he wants to be part of the winning effort this time.
* Asked about Eric Wolford and the job he's done stepping in for John Schlarman... Has done an incredible job, especially considering the circumstances of losing coach Schlarman and having a new offensive scheme. He just does his work behind the scenes and doesn't mind that he doesn't get talked about a lot.
* Cats learned a lot about how to approach a bowl game since that first Gator Bowl in 2016, Fortner said. They've gotten better at managing it, and it has helped them come away with victories in the last three.
* On what it would mean to give Stoops an emotional win vs. Iowa... Knows it would be big. Want to end the season on that note for Coach Stoops. "He works his butt off for us, to be able to reward him with that win would be really big for us."
KENTUCKY LB DEANDRE SQUARE Q&A:
* Square is excited to be going back to Orlando. The Penn State win in 2019 was his first college start.
* On his decision to come back... Tough call, he says. Hasn't made up his mind.
* These next two or three weeks are important to get right mentally and physically after a long, grueling season, Square said.
* Players really want to enjoy their last time they get to spend with Coach Sumrall. They're all happy for his opportunity at Troy, but they're all going to miss him, too.
* DeAndre showing off his collection of posters from Marvel and other movies/shows he enjoys. Has the whole room covered with them.
