* Nobody's proud of what they showed at SC. Didn't match their prep for the game. Makes you even more frustrating because it's become a bit of a recurring theme this season. Think you're ready, prepare well, don't play well. Ultimately, you can't expect to win a game with a 0-3 turnover margin.
* On Louisville having a long streak of not allowing a score on the first drive and getting ahead of people... That's an important factor on Saturday, Stoops says, as well as the "middle 8." Need a fast start and need to win that "middle 8." Haven't been able to do both of those things. Mizzou was their fastest start, but then lost the "middle 8" badly, he said.
* "You can't beat anybody until you stop beating yourself, and we seem to be doing that over and over." We're hurting ourself, not characteristic of what we've done in recent years. Those handful of plays every week "are killing us."
* Izayah Cummings doing some good things, really playing well down the stretch. Has earned his opportunity.
* Important game for both teams, important for our fan base. We want to go play our best ball in this one. Have believed this game was crucial since the day he walked in the door. Has made it a priority.
* Asked if the Stoops family used to have a Thanksgiving football game like a lot of families do during the holiday, Stoops laughs and says, "No. There was enough of that rough stuff we were doing every other day." Ha.
* On the 3rd and long defensive issues... One came on 2nd and super-long, and one of their best players just turned what should have been 4-5 yards into a huge play, made it 3rd and manageable. Those deals really hurt. Situational awareness has hurt. One was a result of a freshman not knowing the situation. But no excuses at this time of year. You have to know what you're doing out there.
* On the 4th & 10 where they were going to go for it and got a delay of game... Not a mistake, Stoops said. He had changed his mind to go for it and elected to take the 5 yards and punt it away. Didn't like what he was hearing don't he headset and what his gut was telling him. In hindsight, that was the right thing to do as they pinned them at the 1 and got it back at midfield with plenty of time to score.
* Our players always seem to respond and go play hard in this game. Not concerned about them failing to get up for this rivalry game at all. They're just like the fans, disappointed in how things have gone, but they know this is still a big game. It matters.
* We're not new to this rivalry or the intensity of it... but we have to be disciplined.
* A lot of portal discussion/roster issues will be starting to gear up in the next 14 days.
* Expresses frustration when someone asks why they're taking so many deep shots to Barion Brown... Says this is another game where they'll have some opportunities because of the defense UofL plays, and they have to hit some.
* Don't need to say much to Dane Key about his fumble. He knows what he did wrong, and he feels as bad as anyone about it. You just reinforce things like carrying it high and tight, especially when you have guys coming from behind you.
* On Louisville having a long streak of not allowing a score on the first drive and getting ahead of people... That's an important factor on Saturday, Stoops says, as well as the "middle 8." Need a fast start and need to win that "middle 8." Haven't been able to do both of those things. Mizzou was their fastest start, but then lost the "middle 8" badly, he said.
* "You can't beat anybody until you stop beating yourself, and we seem to be doing that over and over." We're hurting ourself, not characteristic of what we've done in recent years. Those handful of plays every week "are killing us."
* Izayah Cummings doing some good things, really playing well down the stretch. Has earned his opportunity.
* Important game for both teams, important for our fan base. We want to go play our best ball in this one. Have believed this game was crucial since the day he walked in the door. Has made it a priority.
* Asked if the Stoops family used to have a Thanksgiving football game like a lot of families do during the holiday, Stoops laughs and says, "No. There was enough of that rough stuff we were doing every other day." Ha.
* On the 3rd and long defensive issues... One came on 2nd and super-long, and one of their best players just turned what should have been 4-5 yards into a huge play, made it 3rd and manageable. Those deals really hurt. Situational awareness has hurt. One was a result of a freshman not knowing the situation. But no excuses at this time of year. You have to know what you're doing out there.
* On the 4th & 10 where they were going to go for it and got a delay of game... Not a mistake, Stoops said. He had changed his mind to go for it and elected to take the 5 yards and punt it away. Didn't like what he was hearing don't he headset and what his gut was telling him. In hindsight, that was the right thing to do as they pinned them at the 1 and got it back at midfield with plenty of time to score.
* Our players always seem to respond and go play hard in this game. Not concerned about them failing to get up for this rivalry game at all. They're just like the fans, disappointed in how things have gone, but they know this is still a big game. It matters.
* We're not new to this rivalry or the intensity of it... but we have to be disciplined.
* A lot of portal discussion/roster issues will be starting to gear up in the next 14 days.
* Expresses frustration when someone asks why they're taking so many deep shots to Barion Brown... Says this is another game where they'll have some opportunities because of the defense UofL plays, and they have to hit some.
* Don't need to say much to Dane Key about his fumble. He knows what he did wrong, and he feels as bad as anyone about it. You just reinforce things like carrying it high and tight, especially when you have guys coming from behind you.
