Tonight marks the season debut of the Mark Stoops radio show on the UK Sports Network. I'll be following along to record all the major news and notes here for those of you who may not be able to listen in live...
* On his comfort level and seeming at ease going into the 2021 season, Stoops says that's how it is when you have a good team, good staff, and you like coming into work every day.
* Cats had a really good Monday practice, Stoops said. The offense really looked clean, much improved as game day draws closer. Liked the operation.
* Fans will see the Cats with a great sense of urgency coming out of the huddle, more motions and shifts than they're used to seeing, Stoops said of the Liam Coen system.
* On preparing for a team with a lot of unknowns in ULM... They've looked at stuff from Rich Rodriguez at Ole Miss (traditional QB) and some stuff from Arizona. They've tried to anticipate some stuff that they know he likes to do that maybe has hurt the UK defense in the past. Defensively, you look at some Boise State and Clemson stuff. "A lot to look at and prepare for."
* Stoops said he knows everyone is buzzing about the offense, but he's equally excited about the defense this year. Thinks they can be really good over there, bolstered by a really impressive group of freshmen.
* Kahlil Saunders get singled out by Stoops as a guy who's really pushing hard on the D-Line.
* Levis's leadership is "authentic," Stoops said. Great sense of urgency. Works hard, studies the game. Fellow players can see thru it when leadership is not genuine. He's the real deal.
* Wan'Dale Robinson is a different type of leader, Stoops said. Just goes out and works his tail off, always working on his craft. Very coachable. Sometimes someone that talented isn't as coachable as other guys. Not Wan'Dale. He's always asking questions, soaking up coaching, trying to get better.
* Izayah Cummings: A natural player whose playmaking "shows up every day." His speed has made him special at TE where it would be a little ordinary at WR.
* "I'm bent on improving this football team and taking it to another level," Stoops says. Thinks Liam Coen is the guy who is going to play a big part in helping them do that.
* On Woodward becoming WR coach... Has worked with Coen. They have a good relationship. Thought it was the best thing to do, Stoops said.
* Punter Wilson Berry has a bit of an aggravated back right now, but he should be OK for Saturday, Stoops says.
* Asked if Hurricane Ida has affected ULM, Stoops said he doesn't know, "but it has affected us. It will affect us." Lexington area could get 2-4 inches of rain tomorrow. It's 100% chance. They'll be working in the Nutter Fieldhouse, which is less than ideal for game week.
* In talking excitedly about the TE position, Stoops calls Brenden Bates "one of the best football players on the team."
* There will be ups and downs with the offense, Stoops says, but "you're going to like it." Feels really good about what they're able to do.
* Drennen was a really good inside runner during their second scrimmage, Stoops said. Not just a third-down, pass-catching back.
* Stoops raving about Paschal, the kid, the player, the leader. Just does everything right. Brings it every day. Totally coachable, which is not always the case with players that talented. "He loves it, lives it."
* On his comfort level and seeming at ease going into the 2021 season, Stoops says that's how it is when you have a good team, good staff, and you like coming into work every day.
* Cats had a really good Monday practice, Stoops said. The offense really looked clean, much improved as game day draws closer. Liked the operation.
* Fans will see the Cats with a great sense of urgency coming out of the huddle, more motions and shifts than they're used to seeing, Stoops said of the Liam Coen system.
* On preparing for a team with a lot of unknowns in ULM... They've looked at stuff from Rich Rodriguez at Ole Miss (traditional QB) and some stuff from Arizona. They've tried to anticipate some stuff that they know he likes to do that maybe has hurt the UK defense in the past. Defensively, you look at some Boise State and Clemson stuff. "A lot to look at and prepare for."
* Stoops said he knows everyone is buzzing about the offense, but he's equally excited about the defense this year. Thinks they can be really good over there, bolstered by a really impressive group of freshmen.
* Kahlil Saunders get singled out by Stoops as a guy who's really pushing hard on the D-Line.
* Levis's leadership is "authentic," Stoops said. Great sense of urgency. Works hard, studies the game. Fellow players can see thru it when leadership is not genuine. He's the real deal.
* Wan'Dale Robinson is a different type of leader, Stoops said. Just goes out and works his tail off, always working on his craft. Very coachable. Sometimes someone that talented isn't as coachable as other guys. Not Wan'Dale. He's always asking questions, soaking up coaching, trying to get better.
* Izayah Cummings: A natural player whose playmaking "shows up every day." His speed has made him special at TE where it would be a little ordinary at WR.
* "I'm bent on improving this football team and taking it to another level," Stoops says. Thinks Liam Coen is the guy who is going to play a big part in helping them do that.
* On Woodward becoming WR coach... Has worked with Coen. They have a good relationship. Thought it was the best thing to do, Stoops said.
* Punter Wilson Berry has a bit of an aggravated back right now, but he should be OK for Saturday, Stoops says.
* Asked if Hurricane Ida has affected ULM, Stoops said he doesn't know, "but it has affected us. It will affect us." Lexington area could get 2-4 inches of rain tomorrow. It's 100% chance. They'll be working in the Nutter Fieldhouse, which is less than ideal for game week.
* In talking excitedly about the TE position, Stoops calls Brenden Bates "one of the best football players on the team."
* There will be ups and downs with the offense, Stoops says, but "you're going to like it." Feels really good about what they're able to do.
* Drennen was a really good inside runner during their second scrimmage, Stoops said. Not just a third-down, pass-catching back.
* Stoops raving about Paschal, the kid, the player, the leader. Just does everything right. Brings it every day. Totally coachable, which is not always the case with players that talented. "He loves it, lives it."
