Hey gang. A little late to the party tonight from an unforeseen issue I had to deal with, but I'll be sharing all the news and notes from the HBC's weekly radio show here in this thread for those of you who may not be able to listen along live.
* Stoops says the 4th down call isn't as simple as UGA/wrong decision, Ole Miss/right decision. He'd play them both the same way he did if he had it to do over because the situation gave the Cats their best chance in both cases.
* BVG's pass to Barion Brown on 4th down late in the game was as good as you could make a throw and catch in that situation. "That's playing the game," Stoops said. Two guys doing what they're capable of doing. BVG showed a ton of guts there. Cool under pressure.
* Caller asks about the open date, does it come at a good time. Stoops says he's answered this for years, and it's always "It is what it is." But he did note that they put a lot out this past week, they physically strained to the max, so some recovery might be good. The spirits are high, though, and the guys would have gone out and played today if they could. QBCutter Boley got some good reps today, as well as some of the other young players, while the older guys got treatment.
* Caller says that game made him cry. Well-deserved win for the coaches, players, and fan base.
* Stoops says the QB run package will remain part of the plan with Wimsatt, despite the fumble near the goalline. He's a real talent, a big, strong runner that they have to take advantage of. Thinks he can throw more than he's shown so far. Gonna lull some people to sleep with the run with him, then hit them with a big pass.
* Caller wants to know what the best way to put a big win behind them and get focused for Vandy in two weeks is... Stoops says the process is the same: focus, preparation, attention to detail, and embracing the grind. And he has reminded the team that it's amazing, if you look at the film, we can play a lot better.
* Caller asks why the QB run game was used so much in this game... Notes that they've used it all season. Wasn't necessarily more in this game. It's a good way to gain some tough yards. It's QB power in most cases with Gavin Wimsatt, old-school power running, and he's a tough runner.
* O-Line was much better in protection and continued to be good in helping them run the ball downhill. Team learned from some mistakes early in the season and hone in on some things they could do to improve the whole line situation.
* Caller asks if Stoops sees a role for Cutter Boley. Stoops says absolutely. He's the future. Notes again that he got about 40-50 good reps today. Definitely a talented young man. Trying to redshirt him, protect him in these early games. If you get a high-ankle sprain or some bad luck along the way, you may need him at some point this season. Keeping that a possibility, for example, if they need him for four games in an emergency situation while hoping to maintain the redshirt. So you probably won't just see him thrown into a game here soon without reason.
* Team will be off tomorrow. Back at it on Wedensday and Thursday with more heavy work in prep for Vandy. Coaches will be out recruiting hard. A lot of work to be done there with roster size expected to expand.
* Shorts is a great, young coach, Stoops says. He's done a terrific job with their receivers this year. Really pleased with that addition to the staff. Noted that Dane has really improved at catching tough balls in traffic. Added strength has helped him a lot, not just in making catches, but his blocking and being able to get off the line of scrimmage and into his routes better. Has worked hard, and it shows.
* On the punters... Laros has one 54 but would like to see more hangtime on it. Glad with smooth operations overall in special teams. Nobody has said a damn word about it all year because they've been so good. Stoops catches himself and says he better not jinx it.
* Stoops says the 4th down call isn't as simple as UGA/wrong decision, Ole Miss/right decision. He'd play them both the same way he did if he had it to do over because the situation gave the Cats their best chance in both cases.
* BVG's pass to Barion Brown on 4th down late in the game was as good as you could make a throw and catch in that situation. "That's playing the game," Stoops said. Two guys doing what they're capable of doing. BVG showed a ton of guts there. Cool under pressure.
* Caller asks about the open date, does it come at a good time. Stoops says he's answered this for years, and it's always "It is what it is." But he did note that they put a lot out this past week, they physically strained to the max, so some recovery might be good. The spirits are high, though, and the guys would have gone out and played today if they could. QBCutter Boley got some good reps today, as well as some of the other young players, while the older guys got treatment.
* Caller says that game made him cry. Well-deserved win for the coaches, players, and fan base.
* Stoops says the QB run package will remain part of the plan with Wimsatt, despite the fumble near the goalline. He's a real talent, a big, strong runner that they have to take advantage of. Thinks he can throw more than he's shown so far. Gonna lull some people to sleep with the run with him, then hit them with a big pass.
* Caller wants to know what the best way to put a big win behind them and get focused for Vandy in two weeks is... Stoops says the process is the same: focus, preparation, attention to detail, and embracing the grind. And he has reminded the team that it's amazing, if you look at the film, we can play a lot better.
* Caller asks why the QB run game was used so much in this game... Notes that they've used it all season. Wasn't necessarily more in this game. It's a good way to gain some tough yards. It's QB power in most cases with Gavin Wimsatt, old-school power running, and he's a tough runner.
* O-Line was much better in protection and continued to be good in helping them run the ball downhill. Team learned from some mistakes early in the season and hone in on some things they could do to improve the whole line situation.
* Caller asks if Stoops sees a role for Cutter Boley. Stoops says absolutely. He's the future. Notes again that he got about 40-50 good reps today. Definitely a talented young man. Trying to redshirt him, protect him in these early games. If you get a high-ankle sprain or some bad luck along the way, you may need him at some point this season. Keeping that a possibility, for example, if they need him for four games in an emergency situation while hoping to maintain the redshirt. So you probably won't just see him thrown into a game here soon without reason.
* Team will be off tomorrow. Back at it on Wedensday and Thursday with more heavy work in prep for Vandy. Coaches will be out recruiting hard. A lot of work to be done there with roster size expected to expand.
* Shorts is a great, young coach, Stoops says. He's done a terrific job with their receivers this year. Really pleased with that addition to the staff. Noted that Dane has really improved at catching tough balls in traffic. Added strength has helped him a lot, not just in making catches, but his blocking and being able to get off the line of scrimmage and into his routes better. Has worked hard, and it shows.
* On the punters... Laros has one 54 but would like to see more hangtime on it. Glad with smooth operations overall in special teams. Nobody has said a damn word about it all year because they've been so good. Stoops catches himself and says he better not jinx it.
