MARK STOOPS
“Heading into the Florida week, we were proud of the victory last week and getting a road win versus South Carolina. Proud of our team, starting with the adversity we did giving up the interception and starting in the hole down 7-0, and then to respond the rest of the half with 24 unanswered in a hostile environment. Showed a lot of progress for our team and then also facing the adversity in the second half with South Carolina completely flipping the script on us and had some good long drives and stopping us three-and-out on offense and still showing the toughness and the character in the fourth quarter to come up with a big stop and to kill the clock to get the victory. It was a long time coming for us, and I just think it comes down to improving as a football team and a football program. So we’re getting much better. We’re going to need to continue to improve this week with the big game against Florida.”
On how disappointing the end of the 2014 loss to Florida was: “It was very disappointing. I really felt like we had too many opportunities to win the game. So anytime you lose like that. We had plenty of opportunities and did not come up with the stops when we needed to or didn’t score the touchdown when we needed to, but we had our opportunities and came up short. So it was frustrating, but I knew at the time that we were still improving and we were a better football team. I also know how critical it is for each and every victory, and as it turns out we ended up with five so I knew every game was very, very important. So I think we improved at that point and we’re much better right now as well.”
On if he ever received a satisfying answer on why no delay of game penalty was called at Florida last year: “There’s really nothing I could do about it or say about it, to be honest with you. I’m in a no-win situation. I’m not allowed to comment on that. Right or wrong or anything they tell me, I’m not allowed to share with you or I’ll get fined. (Laughs) So was I satisfied? No. But I don’t think I’m allowed to say anything more.”
On if has talked to his team about the losing streak to Florida: “Yeah, we did. We brought it up. As I said last week, we’re not gonna hide from those things. These kids know. They hear. There’s a lot of information out there on social media, and they listen to y’all and see what you write and everything else, so our players know. That’s not what I’m about, is hiding from anything. I said that early in the week last week, that I was tired of us not being able to go on the road and win, and the only way you do that is by preparation. You cannot talk yourself into these victories. Just because Florida beat us 28 straight times, you know, I could talk about ’till I’m blue in the face — it’s not gonna make a difference. The better team will win. The team that’s more prepared, the team that’s doing things right throughout the week. That’s what I’m selling. So I talked about it briefly and then it’s over with. It’s about our preparation, it’s about staying on them, about doing the things necessary to put ourselves in a position to win the game.”
On if Chris Westry has exceeded his expectations: “No, I kind of envisioned that he would be a player, and go through some ups and downs. And he has. He’s made plays, and I knew he would, and he’s made some mistakes. And he’s gonna continue to go through some growing pains. But I’ve been very pleased with him. He’s a very good player, and I’m very happy to have him, and we just need to continue to work with him and have him progress.
On Josh Allen: “I feel really great about him. He’s one of those guys a little bit under the radar that you love to get on your team. Maybe doesn’t have all the stars and all the hype and all the hoopla coming in and then you feel like you got a home run with one. That’s how I feel about him. I love his attitude; I love his athletic ability, work ethic and everything. He’s going to be a very good football player in time. This year, he’s been forced into some action, but he’s helping us. He’s very conscientious and I just loved him for his size and his range and how he moves around on his feet. So I really think that he’s going to be a player down the road and he’s going to help us from time to time this year. But I really think he’s going to be a player here in the future.”
On Ryan Flannigan and if injury could linger all season: “Certainly, I’m a little concerned. I really don’t have an update other than his status has not changed. He is not cleared for contact yet. And it’s an issue as I mentioned before it could linger or he could wake up tomorrow and be cleared. We just have to prepare as if he will not be there this week.”
On Neal Brown getting first win and kind of head coach he’ll be: “I think he’ll do an excellent job. Very happy for Neal and his program getting that first victory. I know how that feels. It wasn’t too long ago for me to get that first victory. I just hope he has more W’s that first year than I did because I know they’re hard to come by. He’ll do an excellent job and I’m very happy for him. I’m quite sure he’ll have some great success there.”
“Heading into the Florida week, we were proud of the victory last week and getting a road win versus South Carolina. Proud of our team, starting with the adversity we did giving up the interception and starting in the hole down 7-0, and then to respond the rest of the half with 24 unanswered in a hostile environment. Showed a lot of progress for our team and then also facing the adversity in the second half with South Carolina completely flipping the script on us and had some good long drives and stopping us three-and-out on offense and still showing the toughness and the character in the fourth quarter to come up with a big stop and to kill the clock to get the victory. It was a long time coming for us, and I just think it comes down to improving as a football team and a football program. So we’re getting much better. We’re going to need to continue to improve this week with the big game against Florida.”
On how disappointing the end of the 2014 loss to Florida was: “It was very disappointing. I really felt like we had too many opportunities to win the game. So anytime you lose like that. We had plenty of opportunities and did not come up with the stops when we needed to or didn’t score the touchdown when we needed to, but we had our opportunities and came up short. So it was frustrating, but I knew at the time that we were still improving and we were a better football team. I also know how critical it is for each and every victory, and as it turns out we ended up with five so I knew every game was very, very important. So I think we improved at that point and we’re much better right now as well.”
On if he ever received a satisfying answer on why no delay of game penalty was called at Florida last year: “There’s really nothing I could do about it or say about it, to be honest with you. I’m in a no-win situation. I’m not allowed to comment on that. Right or wrong or anything they tell me, I’m not allowed to share with you or I’ll get fined. (Laughs) So was I satisfied? No. But I don’t think I’m allowed to say anything more.”
On if has talked to his team about the losing streak to Florida: “Yeah, we did. We brought it up. As I said last week, we’re not gonna hide from those things. These kids know. They hear. There’s a lot of information out there on social media, and they listen to y’all and see what you write and everything else, so our players know. That’s not what I’m about, is hiding from anything. I said that early in the week last week, that I was tired of us not being able to go on the road and win, and the only way you do that is by preparation. You cannot talk yourself into these victories. Just because Florida beat us 28 straight times, you know, I could talk about ’till I’m blue in the face — it’s not gonna make a difference. The better team will win. The team that’s more prepared, the team that’s doing things right throughout the week. That’s what I’m selling. So I talked about it briefly and then it’s over with. It’s about our preparation, it’s about staying on them, about doing the things necessary to put ourselves in a position to win the game.”
On if Chris Westry has exceeded his expectations: “No, I kind of envisioned that he would be a player, and go through some ups and downs. And he has. He’s made plays, and I knew he would, and he’s made some mistakes. And he’s gonna continue to go through some growing pains. But I’ve been very pleased with him. He’s a very good player, and I’m very happy to have him, and we just need to continue to work with him and have him progress.
On Josh Allen: “I feel really great about him. He’s one of those guys a little bit under the radar that you love to get on your team. Maybe doesn’t have all the stars and all the hype and all the hoopla coming in and then you feel like you got a home run with one. That’s how I feel about him. I love his attitude; I love his athletic ability, work ethic and everything. He’s going to be a very good football player in time. This year, he’s been forced into some action, but he’s helping us. He’s very conscientious and I just loved him for his size and his range and how he moves around on his feet. So I really think that he’s going to be a player down the road and he’s going to help us from time to time this year. But I really think he’s going to be a player here in the future.”
On Ryan Flannigan and if injury could linger all season: “Certainly, I’m a little concerned. I really don’t have an update other than his status has not changed. He is not cleared for contact yet. And it’s an issue as I mentioned before it could linger or he could wake up tomorrow and be cleared. We just have to prepare as if he will not be there this week.”
On Neal Brown getting first win and kind of head coach he’ll be: “I think he’ll do an excellent job. Very happy for Neal and his program getting that first victory. I know how that feels. It wasn’t too long ago for me to get that first victory. I just hope he has more W’s that first year than I did because I know they’re hard to come by. He’ll do an excellent job and I’m very happy for him. I’m quite sure he’ll have some great success there.”
