KENTUCKY HC MARK STOOPS Q&A:
* Nice to get back in the win column. Guys have worked really hard the last two weeks to get some things corrected. Had the right mindset today. Far from perfect, many mistakes, still looking for consistency, but improved. Wanted to get a lot of guys some work today.
* Liked the balance. Lots of yards and first downs, but need more points. Faulted himself for not getting that FG at the end of the half. DIdn't manage that situation well.
* Gotta keep working on pass game, protection.
* Defense was really good. Thought they could have pitched a shutout. Field position hurt on that drive where Ohio punched it in.
* On Dane Key... If you do things right and keep working hard, the ball will find you. Testament to his work ethic.
* Too much ball on the ground, pre-snap penalties, holding calls. Gotta get that stuff cleaned up.
* Wilcox is doing some good things. Leaning on him to do the right things on and off the field, know the playbook better, be on time for meetings, things of that nature. As far as just running the ball, he's rough as nails. And he's out there on kickoff team just running over people. Has that toughness. He's working on being more accountable in all ways.
* On the fumble recovery and Max's pick-6... Took us a while to fall on that fumble. I was like, are you kidding? (Laughs) Really nice play by Maxwell to jump that route and score. Play made it look like man, but it was actually zone. Well done all the way around.
* BVG was 17 of 24, not bad, but was running for his life a lot. We have to get things sped up and he's got to do a better job on progressions (with time from OL) to get better. They tried to work on that in the second half. Overall, we know there's improvement that has to be made.
* Good to work in some QB run game with Wimsatt. Had been working on it for a couple of weeks, but UGA game wasn't the right time for it. Nice to get him those snaps today.
* On explosives... A little bit of improvement today. Step forward. Needs to keep improving. We understand that as we get back into league play.
* Nichols has shown a lot of promise at CB, and Soles has just been relentless. Some natural pass-rushing ability.
* Hot day. Appreciate the fans being there and sitting out in that heat. We probably needed this with another early kickoff next week at Ole Miss.
* On whether he can put his finger on the pass protection issues... It's a lot of things. Everybody has to get better as a unit. "Everybody's had a turn (in breaking down)." Not a massive scheme problem or anything.
